MA in Counseling
Webster's counseling program is designed to prepare individuals for a career in professional counseling. The program curriculum and student experience are integrated, to provide you with the necessary theory and skills for working with individuals, couples and families in a variety of mental health settings.
You'll learn how to describe, identify, and examine the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels and in multicultural contexts, including theories of human behavior (normal and abnormal) personality development, human resilience, wellness, exceptional abilities, addictions, and learning processes.
Specialized coursework will help you identify and critique the major concepts and effects on cultures of disaster response counseling, trauma counseling, and crisis counseling in specific settings. You'll also explore impacts and theories on addictions and substance abuse in specific courses.
The Professional Counseling degree program is currently offered at campuses in the United States, and at Webster campuses in Geneva, Switzerland and Leiden, the Netherlands. Depending on the Webster University campus you wish to attend, you will have the option of earning an emphasis in community counseling, marriage, family and child counseling, professional mental health counseling, or school guidance and counseling. Not all areas of emphasis are offered at all campus locations.
Points of Distinction
- Webster University enjoys a 30-year track record in preparing students for successful careers in the counseling profession.
- With more than 4,000 counseling students and alumni, Webster's counseling program has distinguished itself as a leader in mental health education.
- The opportunity for international study at our campuses in major European cities.
Program Curriculum
Emphasis in Professional Mental Health Counseling
The degree emphasis requires satisfactory completion of 60 credit hours of coursework. Some states require completion of all core courses previous to internship. Note that successful completion of program degree may exceed 60 credit hours for students.
Emphasis in Family Life Counseling
This degree emphasis requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of 48 credit hours of coursework. Note that successful completion of program degree may exceed 48 credit hours for students requiring remedial coursework in writing competency, academics, and/or professional counseling and interpersonal skill development.
This emphasis area is only approved for student participation in North Carolina. No other Webster campus offers the family life counseling emphasis at this time. This emphasis does not lead to licensure as a mental health counselor. Professional licensure is determined by state boards of licensure. Students are responsible for verifying this curriculum with their respective state boards of licensure to ensure that this curriculum meets their state's requirements. This curriculum is consistent with academic requirements for application for licensure as marriage and family therapist (LMFT) in the state of North Carolina only.
Emphasis in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling
This degree emphasis requires satisfactory completion of 60 credit hours of coursework. Some states require completion of all core courses previous to internship. This degree emphasis is not offered at all extended campuses. Please consult your local campus for information. Note that successful completion of program may exceed 60 credit hours for students requiring remedial coursework.
Emphasis in Community Counseling
This degree emphasis requires satisfactory completion of 48 credit hours of coursework. Some states require completion of all core courses previous to internship. Note that successful completion of program degree may exceed 48 credit hours for students requiring remedial coursework.