Overview
Program Coordinator: Dr. Beth Aitken
Program Delivery Format: Online, 8-week sessions
Total Credits: 51-60
Specializations:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 credits)
- School Counseling (51 credits)
Average Completion Time: 36 months
Admission Cycle: Fall, Spring
Priority Application Deadline:
- Fall - February 15
- Spring - October 15
Admissions Contact: Crystal Perry, Assistant Director, Graduate Enrollment Management (cperry@mcdaniel.edu | 410-386-4833)
M.S. in Counseling Support Staff: gpscounseling@mcdaniel.edu | 410-857-2500
The purpose of the Master of Science in Counseling program is to prepare mental health professionals to work in mental health clinics, counseling centers, addictions clinics, human service agencies and schools. Through a combination of research, theory, and practice, the counseling program encourages graduate students to become reflective practitioners.
The Master of Science in Counseling - School Counseling specialization requires completion of 51 graduate credits and prepares students to seek Advanced Professional Licensure (APL) as a School Counselor through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Completion of the program requires successful completion of all coursework to include a practicum (100 hours in a school setting) and internship (600 hours in a school setting). The school counseling specialization has been evaluated and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. McDaniel College is also a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The Master of Science in Counseling - School Counseling specialization has been awarded initial accreditation status by AAQEP through June 30, 2029. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.
The Master of Science in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health specialization requires completion of 60 graduate credits and prepares students to seek licensure as a clinical mental health counselor upon successful completion of all required courses to include a practicum (100 hours) and an internship (600 hours), both are required to be completed in an approved clinical mental health setting. Students are eligible to sit for their National Counselor Exam upon graduation.
Professional Licensure and Certification:
McDaniel’s MS in Counseling offers an online delivery format with an in-person practicum and internship. While the program curriculum meets licensure requirements of Maryland, it may not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states. Students who plan to enroll in this program and pursue professional licensure in a state other than Maryland should contact our Professional Licensure Representative at gps@mcdaniel.edu to verify if McDaniel is authorized for licensure or certification in that state. Students should also visit our Professional Licensure webpage here for additional information.
We also recommend students check with the appropriate licensing board in the state in which students intend to pursue licensure or certification. You can find more information about various states for Mental Health Counseling School Counseling here; https://nc-sara.org/professional-licensure-directory.
Admitted students must also contact the Graduate and Professional Studies Office and the Counseling Program Coordinator to discuss any change in location after admission and prior to relocation to another state. Please be advised that continued enrollment cannot be guaranteed if a student moves to a state in which McDaniel is not authorized to offer educational programs.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must:
- Complete an application for graduate study
- Submit official bachelor’s degree transcript (minimum of 3.00 GPA*) from an accredited institution; graduate transcripts if applicable.
- Submit a professional resume
- Write a goal statement essay
- Participate in an interview (invitation will be sent after all above criteria are met)
*Please note: This is a competitive program and not all students are offered an admission interview. Students who have a 2.75-2.99 GPA may be considered for provisional. If admitted provisionally, candidates will be required to maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first 9-12 credit hours. Students with less than a 2.75 GPA will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis for provisional admission and may be required to provide additional documentation. Admission may also come with additional conditions.
Upon admission, students must also complete a criminal background disclosure statement and may be required to undergo a criminal background check and fingerprinting at the student’s expense. Students should be aware that a criminal background may prohibit practicum and internship placement and therefore may be a barrier to program completion. Students should also be aware that it may also be a barrier to obtaining licensure. All incidents of criminal history must be self-reported both to the program and to the practicum and internship sites prior to enrollment and at any time throughout the program. All students may be subject to criminal background and fingerprinting by McDaniel College and by the practicum and internship site at any time. Expenses for fingerprinting and bachground check are the responsibility of the student.
International Students:
This program is delivered primarily online and as a result does not meet the federal regulations for international students to study in the US. Students living outside of the US cannot participate in this program.
State Authorization
McDaniel is an approved institutional member of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). Membership in SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses/programs offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. For more information about SARA, including the states currently participating in the agreement, visit http://www.nc.sara.org.
SARA membership allows McDaniel to accept and deliver our programs/courses online to students in 49 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Students who reside in California, currently the only state not a member of SARA, should contact the admissions office prior to application to verify if you are eligible to participate in the online program of interest.
For more information about state authorization requirements and complaint resolution, visit https://www.mcdaniel.edu/academics/graduate-professional-studies/state-authorization-requirements-complaints-resolution
Professional Licensure
Requirements for professional licensure in fields such as accounting, education, counseling, nursing, psychology, and social work vary from state to state. McDaniel’s academic programs listed below are designed to meet Maryland’s licensure requirements and may not meet requirements from other states. Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure, McDaniel highly recommends that you contact the appropriate state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements. You may also contact McDaniel’s Professional Licensure Representative at gps@mcdaniel.edu to inquire.
For more important information regarding professional licensure, please review our Professional Licensure webpage.
Students who complete this program with the Clinical Mental Health track and are seeking licensure in the state of Maryland must meet all Maryland-specific requirements in addition to completing this master’s program. The requirements may include but are not limited to the following:
- Post-master’s supervised clinical experience
- Passing required examinations such as the National Counselors Exam (NCE) and the Maryland Law Assessment
- Payment of application and licensure fees
More information about Maryland state requirements can be found on the Maryland Department of Health Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists website: https://health.maryland.gov/bopc/Pages/index.aspx
Students who complete this program with the School Counseling track and are seeking certification in the state of Maryland must meet all Maryland-specific requirements in addition to completing this master’s program. The requirements may include but are not limited to the following:
- Payment of application or processing fees
More information about Maryland state requirements can be found on the Maryland State Department of Education website: https://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DEE/Certification/areas/School-Counselor.aspx
