Counseling Major, MS

Counseling Major, (MS) - Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration

The focus of the clinical mental health counseling concentration is the preparation of excellent counselor practitioners and scholars to serve in agencies that provide counseling to adolescents, children, adults and families (such as outpatient and inpatient mental health treatment centers, programs serving troubled youth and families, hospitals, counseling and related service programs in colleges and universities, drug and alcohol treatment programs, and private practices). Our graduates are self-aware counselors and scholars whose lifelong learning continually informs their service, practice, and development. Many also choose to continue their graduate studies at the doctoral level. 

The clinical mental health counseling concentration at the University of Tennessee is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program of study includes a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practicum and internship counseling experiences in clinical settings. Each student’s plan of study is customized to support individual goals as well as to provide a common core of counselor preparation. Graduates will have completed the educational and graduate clinical preparation requirements for licensure as a professional counselor with mental health service provider designation (LPC-MHSP) in Tennessee. CACREP accreditation helps ensure the portability of the degree. For example, the counselor licensure requirements of many states match the CACREP standards for Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs. 

The faculty provides rigorous, experiential, practical education, aimed at maximizing the professional and personal-development of our graduates through this 60 credit hour, 2.5 year graduate program. It is important that our graduate students learn and develop in a challenging and supportive learning community.

The goal of the program is the preparation of future counselors as:

• Strong, effective, self-aware counselors 
• Persons ready to develop deeply healing therapeutic relationships 
• Professionals well-skilled in the full range of task areas needed from mental health counselors 
• Scholars with a solid background of understanding and a personal and professional curiosity to guide their ongoing, life-long study of counseling, mental health, and human development 
• Persons and professionals ready to thrive in and embrace the increasingly diverse world in which we all live and work.

Requirements

	Credit Hours
COUN 480 , COUN 535 , COUN 551 , COUN 554 , COUN 555 , COUN 525 , COUN 545 , COUN 552 , COUN 540 , COUN 559  (9 credit hours across an academic or calendar year), COUN 556 , COUN 570	42
SCHP 690	3
EDPY 550  - Research course	3
Four electives or a thesis (COUN 500  for 6 credit hours and two electives)	12
Total credit hours required	60
A Comprehensive Exam is required with a grade of Pass.

 

 

Counseling Major, (MS) - School Counseling concentration

The purpose of the school counseling concentration is to prepare students to become professional school counselors within preK-12 schools in Tennessee and most states. The school counseling concentration (60 credit hours) is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Program goals are based on CACREP and American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Standards; we seek to prepare students in professional identity; knowledge, skills, and practice in the foundations of school counseling, and strong clinical instruction. We strive to foster professional school counselors who are open and self-aware, and who demonstrate commitment, respect, and integrity.

Applicants for degrees in this field must present satisfactory evidence of academic ability and adequacy of personal characteristics and goals as determined by professional recommendations, scores on the Graduate Record Examination, previous experience with children and youth, and responses to written and oral questions. Graduates will fulfill the license requirements for PreK-12 School Counseling in Tennessee and in most states of the United States although some states may have additional experience and testing requirements. Graduates can complete the program in two years and two summers.

The concentration requires 700-hours of fieldwork in a school site to prepare students for practice. Enrolled students complete a program that includes core courses, clinical courses, and electives. Those applicants who have not had teaching experience may be required to complete additional courses. The faculty provides a challenging and supportive learning community where students engage in a rigorous and highly experiential program of study.

Requirements

COUN 480 , COUN 525 , COUN 535 , COUN 545 , COUN 550 , COUN 551 , COUN 552 , COUN 554 , COUN 555 , COUN 558  (6 credit hours), COUN 565 , COUN 570	39
*SPED 570 , *SPED 556	6
SCHP 690	3
EDPY 550	3
Three electives as advised	9
Total credit hours required	60
A Comprehensive Exam is required with a grade of Pass.

* Individuals with teaching license can substitute an elective for this course.