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MASTER'S

Master of Science in Counseling · MSCO

Limited-Residency | 2 1/2 To 3 Years | Zoom Evening Classes
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Program Details

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Program Objectives

Consistent with the program’s mission and vision, all graduates will demonstrate competency in sections A and G. They will also demonstrate competency in their respective specialty area outlined in B – F. University program administrators and faculty will ensure compliance in section H.

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Demonstrate an understanding of the counseling profession; develop an identity as a counselor; and demonstrate dispositions, attitudes and behaviors consistent with the norms and ethics of the counseling profession.
Gain significant knowledge of major counseling theories in the context of individual and group counseling and apply this knowledge to the counseling process.

Demonstrate the communication skills required to be effective counselors. Including individual and group counseling techniques that facilitate client growth, and demonstrate the ability to evaluate client progress toward treatment goals.

Develop an awareness of and an appreciation for social, cultural and familial influences on human development and behavior and recognize the impact of individual differences on the counseling process. Further, develop an understanding and ability to effectively work with marginalized populations.

Develop an understanding of the phases and complexities of human growth and an appreciation for the nature of human development and its integration within the counseling process.
Demonstrate an understanding of career development and related life factors, their effects on an individual’s mental health and lifestyle, and the application within counseling.

Develop both theoretical and experiential understanding of group process, development, dynamics, group counseling theories, methods, skills, and other group approaches.

Gain knowledge and skills in assessment techniques, including standardized instruments, interviewing, and suicide and risk of violence assessments, and be able to apply these skills to individual and group appraisal. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate, analyze, and apply information to make evidence-based decisions and solve problems consistent with effective client change.
Develop a working knowledge of psychodiagnosis, the ethical implications of diagnosing, and its effect on treatment and counseling practice.

Gain knowledge and skills in the assessment and treatment of individuals with substance abuse issues and process addictions.

Demonstrate knowledge and skills associated with counseling in crisis situations, addressing trauma in clients, and assessing and responding to clients at risk of suicide and fostering client resilience.

Develop the ability to read, critique, evaluate, and contribute to professional research literature.

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Demonstrate knowledge and skills associated with working in multidisciplinary mental health care settings, and demonstrate practical knowledge and skills in counseling services, prevention, treatment, referral, and program management.
Demonstrate the ability to develop and implement treatment planning, and a basic understanding of psychopharmacology, and how treatment is coordinated in integrated mental health care settings.
Demonstrate an understanding of systems theory and its application to the dynamics of families and couples.

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Develop and demonstrate an understanding of the foundations of school counseling, including the school environment, educational processes, multifaceted prevention and interventions and effective program assessment skills.
Develop the ability to assess college and career readiness, creating a college-going culture, addressing achievement gaps, providing exposure to post-secondary education, developing career literacy, interest and planning, and removing systemic barriers for diverse students.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the application of developmental theory in the practice of counseling children and adolescents.

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Develop and demonstrate understanding of the major models used in couples and family counseling and applying systems thinking in case formulation.

Develop proficiency in the skills and techniques of systems-oriented counseling approaches and their use in work with couples and families.

Demonstrate the ability to assess a client system’s resources and constraints through the various perspectives including Organization, Sequences, Development, Multicultural, Gender and Internal Family System and select appropriate intervention strategies.

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Develop an expanded understanding to addictions and substance abuse that includes concepts such as genetic predispositions, psychological factors, trauma, abuse, family, cultural and political issues and how these interact to influence the treatment of addictions.

Integrate counseling skills with knowledge of addictions to facilitate effective addictions treatment to maintain long term recovery. As well as promote healthy practices, self-awareness and self-care.

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Demonstrate an understanding of the history, philosophy, and ethics of rehabilitation counseling. Including understanding of unique roles of clinical rehabilitation counselors.
Demonstrate an understanding of the biopsychosocial aspects of impairment and disability; with a focus on social and family systems of support for those who are differently-abled. Additional legal, social advocacy, vocational and treatment components will be integrated.

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Demonstrate an understanding of the history, philosophy, and ethics of rehabilitation counseling. Including understanding of unique roles of clinical rehabilitation counselors.
Enhance professional dispositions and develop, through self-reflection and insight, an understanding of oneself and the use of self in the counseling process. Develop a personal approach to counseling and client advocacy with a clear understanding of counselor roles and functions.

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Maintain descriptive statistics of the student body. As measured by:

A. Applications Data

  1. Applicants
  2. Completed Application
  3. Withdrew
  4. Denied
  5. Admitted

B. Graduated

  1. School Graduates
  2. Mental Health Graduates
  3. Dual Degree Graduates
  4. Post-Masters Certificate Completion

Recruit and retain a high quality and diverse student body. As measured by:

A. Undergraduate GPA

B. Admission Test scores

C. Dispositional measures 

  1. Admissions interviews

  2. Post-Skills/Group

  3. Post-Practicum

  4. Post-Internship

D. Ongoing Professional Improvement Plans (PIPs)

  1. New PIPs

  2. Continuing PIPs

  3. Successfully Completed PIPs

E. Withdrawals and dismissals

Maintain quality faculty and instructional resources to effectively transfer knowledge. As measured by:

A. Faculty to student ratios

B. Core faculty to non-core faculty ratios

C. Student course evaluation data

D. Student evaluation of clinical site

Graduates will be able to successfully obtain and maintain relevant employment.  As measured by:

A. Pass rates on National/State Exams

B. Recommendations for Certifications and/or Licensure

C. Number of graduates obtaining entry-level licensure and/or certification

D. Percentage of graduates employed.  (Goal 90/90 – 90% employed within 90 days.)

Learning Assessment

PLEASE NOTE

Each of the Program Objectives associated with student learning, i.e.,

  • A. 12 Core Counseling Objectives,
  • B-F Specialty Objectives, and
  • G. 2 Practical Learning Objectives,


also serve as Student Learning Objectives (SLO). For each SLO several Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are tracked and measured. This allows program faculty to assess students’ acquisition of knowledge and skills individually. Further, faculty use the collective student learning to assess the effectiveness of learning for the program as a whole. Each SLO is assessed several times throughout the program to determine the foundational knowledge, the associated skill, and integration in the art of counseling.

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Student Advisement

Upon admission to the counseling program, each student will be assigned a faculty advisor. Advisors act as a student’s primary source of contact and communication with the counseling program. The department encourages students to show initiative in getting to know their individual advisors. Students who wish to change their assigned advisor should contact the Program Chair.

  • Under the direction of an advisor, students will complete a Program of Study. This will include a list of courses and a timeline for completion that, if followed, will lead to the degree sought and subsequent endorsement for licensure and/or certification.
  • Review progress toward professional goals and degree and revise the study plan accordingly.
  • Receive information regarding program procedures.

Life events, along with other occurrences, may also necessitate changes to the student’s Program of Study. Any alterations in the original Program of Study due to program changes, course conflicts, life events, or other occurrences must be discussed with the student’s advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to stay in close contact with their individual academic advisor regarding any alterations made to the Program of Study. This issue is especially important given that not all courses are taught each semester. Altering the study plan without assistance from an academic advisor may result in scheduling difficulties, which, in turn, may affect one’s graduation date.

Distinction Between Advising and Counseling

There is an important distinction between advising and counseling. Advising focuses on students’ professional and personal goals/growth as it relates to their ability to demonstrate competent counseling skills, whereas counseling looks beyond professional development to assist people with psychological adjustment. Although faculty members are fully qualified to fulfill both functions, the ethics of the profession prohibit them from providing counseling to students. If personal counseling is desired, students may obtain services from a variety of resources in the community.

Counseling

All RMU students are provided access to personal counseling services through BetterHelp Online Counseling. This can be accessed here BetterHelp Counseling. Additional resources can be accessed through Student Affairs. RMU Student Affairs.

Changes to Licensure, Certification, or Accreditation Requirements

If state or national standards for certification of licensure change or if there are major changes in accreditation standards, the faculty will inform students of those changes. The faculty may recommend changes to a student’s Program of Study to satisfy the evolved certification, licensure, or accreditation standards. However, to graduate from the program, the student must only satisfy the requirements as stated in the graduate catalog in effect when the student was admitted. The student may have to complete other tasks or courses to meet the changed state or national standards.

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Methods of Instruction

The Counseling Program is currently only accepting limited-residency applications and enrollment. In this option, 1) didactic components are taught asynchronously online. 2) The integration components are taught synchronously through weekly online “Zoom” class meetings. 3) Additional integration and application components are covered in three, two-day campus-based residencies throughout the seven-semester program. Finally, 4) all students gain practical experience applying their knowledge and enhancing their skills through field-based practica and internships. Specific methods of instruction are further explained and presented in the course’s respective syllabus.

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Completion Requirements

To receive a Master’s degree in Counseling, a student must satisfy all of the following criteria:

  1. Apply for Graduation. This is done through the Registrar’s Office (this is a $75 application fee).
  2. Complete and pass all required coursework and practicum/internship experiences as outlined in the student’s Program Curriculum.
  3. Complete Exit Interview Survey from the Registrar’s Office.
  4. Receive a total score at or above the one standard deviation below the national mean on the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). If a student fails the CPCE, the student may retake the exam in the next available administration.