Overview
The primary role of the graduate program in counseling is to prepare mental health workers who are both specialists and generalists. Through a combination of research, theory, and practice, the counseling program encourages graduate students to become reflective practitioners in either the school guidance specialization or the community mental health specialization. Our graduates are employed in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, community colleges, and human service agencies. Students may choose from two specializations of study.
The Master of Science degree in Counselor Education (School Guidance Counseling Specialization) is 48 credits for Maryland and Pennsylvania. This includes a field practicum in an approved school. Certification eligibility is met upon completion of the degree. The counseling program has been evaluated and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and is recognized by the Pennsylvania State Department of Education. Candidates not currently holding a valid teaching certificate may be required to complete an additional 3 credits to be meet Maryland certification eligibility requirements.
The Master of Science degree in Counselor Education (Community Mental Health Specialization) is 48 credits. If the student wishes to continue on to become a licensed counselor (LC PC), an additional 12 credits can be completed according to the requirements set forth by the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors; course work and supervision arranged by an advisor can lead to LC PC eligibility.
Program admission requirements:
Applicants are first admitted as students after submitting:
- Application for Graduate Study and application fee.
- Official transcripts verifying all previous academic work, including completion of a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75* (on a scale of 4.0)
Full acceptance into the Counselor Education program occurs with:
- Three (3) completed Counselor Education reference forms.
- Acceptable grades (B- or better) in Orientation to Counseling (CED 500), Introduction to Counseling (CED 501) and Introduction to Research Methodology (EDU 550).
- A satisfactory individual evaluation completed by the instructor of Introduction to Counseling.
- Verification of American Counselor Association (ACA) membership
- Approval from the advisor.
- A minimum of 3.00 GPA at McDaniel College.
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