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College of Applied Human Sciences: School of Counseling and Well-being

Counseling, MS

The Master of Science in Counseling program prepares counseling practitioners in two tracks of study, clinical mental health counseling and school counseling.

Professional counseling is the application of mental health, psychological or human development principles through intervention strategies that address wellness, personal growth, or career development, as well as pathology. The mission of the program is to focus on the preparation of competent and ethical entry-level clinical mental health and school counselors to work in a variety of settings within the state, region, and country.

The Clinical Mental Health specialization is offered in two distinct delivery models: on-campus and online. The on-campus program requires students to be on WVU's Morgantown campus for daytime and evening courses. Most students in the on-campus program complete the degree as full-time students. Applicants to the online program can choose to pursue the degree as either part-time or full-time students.

The School Counseling specialization is only offered on-campus and most school counseling students pursue the degree as full-time students. All students must have the aptitude to utilize digital learning platforms such as eCampus and Zoom, and the digital information tracking platform known as Tevera.

View WVU's complete CACREP accreditation information

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Meet Your Community Admission Requirements Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

The Master of Science in Counseling program focuses on the preparation of competent and ethical entry-level clinical mental health and school counselors to work in a variety of settings within the state, region and country.

Our program of study fulfills all coursework requirements to pursue credentialing as both a certified school counselor and licensed professional counselor in West Virginia. Courses are sequenced in blocks for purposes of prerequisite requirements.

The 2023-24 student handbook provides comprehensive details about the counseling master’s program at WVU, including program information, coursework, institutional policies, assistantships and internships, and much more. (Previous student handbooks: 2021-22 | 2022-23)

The practicum and internship fieldwork manual is a comprehensive resource that equips students with detailed information on the requirements and options available for completing practical experiences in the field. This manual encompasses a wide range of topics, including field placement opportunities, necessary prerequisites, evaluation procedures, and other essential details for students.

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling

    Graduates of the master's degree in counseling at WVU are well prepared to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in West Virginia and many other states. Courses train students to work in a wide variety of settings. Graduates are proficient in individual and group counseling, are charged with honoring the cultural and ethnic backgrounds of all clients, and across a wide variety of courses, are well-versed in trauma informed practices.

    Settings in which counselors work:

    • Community mental-health centers
    • Adolescent treatment centers
    • Correctional facilities
    • Outpatient mental-health centers
    • Private practice
    • Elementary, middle and high schools (as school counselors and expanded school based mental health counselors)

    Populations with whom counselors work:

    • Children and adolescents
    • Adults
    • Individuals struggling with substance abuse and addiction
    • Patients in psychiatric hospitals
    • Couples and families
    • Clients experiencing grief and loss
    • Clients in crisis or experiencing suicidal ideation

    Watch Video: WVU Clinical Mental Health Counseling

  • School Counseling

    WVU’s school counseling program trains professional school counselors to work with students in pre-K-Adult settings. Professional school counselors provide comprehensive school counseling programs to all students. School counseling programs prevention and intervention services across a multi-tiered system of support framework. WVU school counseling alumni address the diverse and complex needs of children and adolescents as they progress across the developmental lifespan to prepare them for post-secondary opportunities. School counselors work with a wide variety of stakeholders including teachers, parents/caregivers, administrators, local business leaders and community leaders to ensure preparation of lifelong learners and productive members of the community.

    The WVU program trains students in counseling interventions, theories and techniques as well as how to plan, design, and implement a data-driven, comprehensive school counseling program. Students learn to structure comprehensive school counseling programs based on both the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Model as well as the West Virginia Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling Program Model.

    Watch Video: WVU honors National School Counseling Week

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Mental Health Counselors

Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $53,710

Possible job titles include: Clinician, Counselor, Mental Health Counselor, Therapist.

Explore Career

Meet Your Community

The Counseling family will inspire and support you.

  • “This program is also very big on encouraging you to work on yourself, and we’re told that you need to continue to do that so that you are in the best position to help others. We also do a lot of practice – tons and tons of practice – which is a good thing. Our classes are small and I've made a lot of friends and we're very close as a group.”
    Gage Smith
  • Portrait of Jeff Daniels.

    Jeff Daniels

    Professional highlights:

    • Partnered with FBI Behavioral Science Unit to develop the Global Hostage-taking Research and Analysis Project (GHosT-RAP)
    • Studied ambushes against law enforcement officers in collaboration with FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA)

  • Ed Jacobs

    Professional highlights:

    • Areas of expertise: Group Counseling, Impact Therapy
    • Research interests: Effective Teaching, Creative Counseling
  • Portrait of Lisa Platt.

    Lisa Platt

    Professional highlights:

    • Licensed Psychologist in West Virginia (#1134)
    • Outstanding Researcher Award, WVU College of Education and Human Services, 2019-2020
    • SPECTRUM LGBTQ+ Award, Association for Women in Psychology, 2017

  • Lacey Sawyers

    Professional highlights:

    • EMDR trained therapist specializing in the treatment of individuals with substance use disorders
    • Special interest in teaching/treating Appalachian issues including generational trauma, systemic oppression and substance use disorders
  • Zabra Robson
     MS, Counseling, 2021
    “The skills that I learned from this program help me every single day in my role at Community Care of West Virginia. Community Care is an integrated worksite where I work with individuals in a rehabilitation and mental health setting. But on top of the skills I learned, I still think one of the biggest keys is to always be kind and patient with individuals.”

    • Admission Requirements

    To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant must submit official, bachelor's degree transcripts from a regionally accredited institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75. WVU operates decentralized admissions. Decentralized admissions allows each graduate program to set its own application requirements in addition to the University requirements.

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