Master of Arts in Counseling Requirements

The Master of Arts in Counseling degree requires successful completion of:

  • a required core of course work (42 credits);
  • an internship (9 credits) in a local agency, school or college, together with an accompanying internship seminar (3 credits);
  • elective course work (3 credits) in a specified area of study;
  • a personal growth experience; and
  • a comprehensive examination and oral exit interview.

 

School Counseling K-12 Praxis & Portfolio

Students pursuing the school counseling licensure will be required to develop a portfolio including materials that offer information about themselves, their knowledge, skills and professional accomplishments. In addition to the portfolio development, you will be required to pass the general knowledge PRAXIS exam for licensure by the State of Vermont. You should discuss these requirements with your advisor prior to beginning your school counseling internships.

The curriculum plan for a Master of Arts in Counseling requires students to take a core of required courses, additional specialization course work in the area of interest, a personal growth experience and a 800-hour internship (600-hour internship for school counseling students) with accompanying seminar. No thesis is required.

Core courses are offered at Johnson State College during the regular academic year and over the summer. Electives may be taken at JSC or at other approved institutions. The student's plan of study will address how these elective requirements will be met.

Curriculum

Core Program: The skills and theory emphasized in these courses are critical for any professional counselor, regardless of context. The following courses should be taken as sequentially as possible.

CSL-5010 Counseling Theories (3 credits)
CSL-5011 Career Counseling (3 credits)
CSL-5030 Laboratory Experience I (3 credits)
CSL-5910 Research Methods (3 credits)
CSL-5020 Counseling in Groups (3 credits)
CSL-5110 Counseling and Addictive Behaviors (3 credits)
CSL-5120 Family Counseling (3 credits)
CSL-5130 Psychopathology (3 credits)

CSL-5140 Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling (3 credits)
CSL-5211 Lifespan Development (3 credits)
CSL-5212 Social & Cultural Foundations (3 credits)
CSL-5820 Internship (9 credits)
CSL-6720 Internship Seminar (3 credits)
CSL-6632 Evaluation and Measurement (3 credits)
CSL ---- Elective (3 credits)
                                                                   

Specializtions

School Counseling
CSL-5810 Fieldwork in School Counseling (3 credits)
CSL-5220 Organization and Administration of Guidance (3 credits)

College Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, Substance Abuse Counseling

CSL-5160 Psychopharmacology (3 credits)
CSL-5012 Laboratory Experience II: Treatment Modalities (3 credits)
CSL-5830 Practicum in Counseling (3 credits)

Total:  60 credits

Course Descriptions, Program and Degree Requirements

For course descriptions and detailed program and degree requirements, see the Graduate Course Catalogue.