Counseling
Overview
CU's history of offering counseling courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, its commitment to providing students with constantly improving educational opportunities, and the overall job outlook in the United States for the counseling profession motivated the university to add an MA in Counseling program. A generous philanthropic donation helped to develop the program.
The MA program offers two tracks for students to choose from:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)
The CMHC program prepares students to diagnose and treat individuals dealing with a range of mental health conditions, such as those associated with addiction, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and personality problems.
Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (MCFC)
The MCFC program prepares students to diagnose and treat individuals, groups, and families dealing with relationship problems, such as those associated with anxiety, depression, separation, divorce, and parenting.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021), there is a growing need for mental health counselors in the United States. In 2021, there were approximately 350,000 people who were employed as mental health counselors. Today there are more people employed, and the job growth rate of mental health counselors is expected to increase by 22% within the next 10 years.
As a student in the MA counseling program, you will have the unique opportunity to learn from faculty with extensive mental health counseling experience. In addition, you will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience as part of your practicum and internship. As an intern, you will interact with real people facing real challenges.
Many students at Carolina University have gained real-world experience by working for mental health facilities, community health centers, government agencies, or in private practice.
Upon completing the MA Counseling program, graduates will be eligible for certification.
To obtain National Counselor Certification (NCC), the degree program must be accredited by CACREP or the curriculum must be pre-approved by NBCC.
The curriculum at Carolina University has been pre-approved by NBCC. Students enrolled in the counseling program are eligible to register for the National Counselor Exam (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE).
Students receive clinical instruction through practicum and internship experiences as well as across eight core curricular areas:
- Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
- Social and Cultural Diversity
- Human Growth and Development
- Career Development
- Counseling and Helping Relationships
- Group Counseling and Group Work
- Assessment and Testing
- Research and Program Evaluation
Upon completion of six core curricular areas, students can register early for the National Counselor Exam (NCE) or National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE).
National Counselor Exam (NCE)
The NCE is a 200-question, multiple-choice examination administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors. It assesses knowledge, skills and abilities in effective counseling services.
National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE)
The NCMHCE tests knowledge of assessment, diagnosis, counseling, psychotherapy, administration, consultation and supervision. It consists of 10 clinical mental health counseling cases and assesses clinical problem-solving ability by testing identification, analysis and treatment. It is also administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors.
"The MA counseling program at Carolina University has given me the opportunity to attend school online while I work full-time. Since I’ve been here, I have met some amazing people, and they have helped grow each day...this has been a great learning experience!"
-Shereka Floyd, Carolina University online MA Counseling student
Objectives
- Understand the importance of and regularly practice self-awareness so that they are consistently growing in their emotional, relational, and spiritual health and better capable of helping others because of their own commitment to growth
- Welcome and competently care for all people without discrimination of any kind
- Exhibit effective knowledge and ability in the use of basic and advanced counseling theories and skills in individual, group, and marriage, couple and family counseling, among other settings and populations
- Demonstrate consistent ethical character and behavior in all areas of counseling
- Adapt to diverse and changing societal needs through continued education and marketability across clinical and ministry settings
- Integrate counseling theories and techniques so that they competently and effectively serve society
Admissions Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognized college or university
- GPA of 2.7 or higher
- Official transcripts from all previously attended schools
- Completed application with Carolina University