Counseling, M.S.
Program Directors:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Megan Shaine, Ph.D.; shaine@hood.edu; 301-696-3166
School Counseling: Atiya Smith, Ph.D.; smitha@hood.edu; 301-696-3758
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling will provide students with the knowledge and skill set needed to work as Clinical Mental Health Counselors or pre-K through 12th grade School Counselors. The program is designed to meet Maryland professional counselor licensure requirements; Maryland State Department of Education certification of the school counseling specialty is projected for 2017. In addition, the program conforms to the standards set by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), and CACREP accreditation will be sought when the program becomes eligible to apply, in 2018. Graduates of the program will demonstrate the professional knowledge, skills and practices necessary to address a wide variety of counseling activities in various settings. Graduates will be instructed in the following domains: foundations; counseling, prevention, and intervention; diversity and advocacy; assessment; research and evaluation; diagnosis; academic development; collaboration and consultation; and leadership.
Application Requirements
To be considered for admission to the M.S. in Counseling program, applicants should have a minimum undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. Undergraduate coursework in psychology is strongly recommended. Depending on the applicant pool, GPAs under 3.0 may be considered if associated materials are strong. Applicants are encouraged to complete the GRE and/or additional counseling-related coursework to strengthen their applications. Selected applicants will be contacted to attend an interview day, with online or video interviews used for applicants who live more than two hours from campus.
Individuals applying to the master's in counseling program are required to submit:
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The online application and application fee
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Official e-transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended (these must be sent directly from previous institutions either to gofurther@hood.edu or via Parchment to the Hood Graduate Admission office)
- A current résumé or curriculum vitae, which can be attached to the online application by the applicant
- A 500-word personal statement describing factors that influenced the decision to apply to graduate school and how this program will facilitate the fulfillment of the applicant's professional goals, which can be attached to the application by the applicant.
- A 500-word essay on past experiences working with diverse populations and your understanding of cultural differences, which can be attached to the application by the applicant.
- A minimum of two (three preferred) academic and/or professional letters of recommendation (recommendation links will be emailed to references once the applicant enters their information in the online application. If they do not receive the links, references can email their recommendations to gofurther@hood.edu)
All application materials should be submitted by February 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission. All materials and interview experiences will be considered by the department's admissions committee in order to render a decision.
Program Requirements
Core Requirements
| COUN 500/PSY 500 | Human Development as a Lifelong Process | 3.0 |
| COUN 501 | Professional, Legal and Ethical Responsibilities | 3.0 |
| COUN 502 | Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling | 3.0 |
| COUN 503 | Lifestyle and Career Development | 3.0 |
| COUN 504 | Counseling Techniques | 3.0 |
| COUN 505 | Group Dynamics, Processing and Counseling | 3.0 |
| COUN 506 | Research and Program Evaluation | 3.0 |
| COUN 511 | Theories and Principles of Counseling | 3.0 |
| COUN 534/PSY 534 | Tests and Measurements | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 27.0 |
Students will select one of two specializations. School counseling students are permitted to complete coursework associated with the Clinical Mental Health specialty as their elective courses. Additional state requirements for licensure eligibility may apply.
CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Required Specialty Courses
Choose 12 credits from the following:
| COUN 507 | Trauma & Crisis Interventions | 3.0 |
| COUN 521/THAN 521 | Grief, Mourning and Bereavement | 3.0 |
| COUN 523/THAN 523 | Principles of Thanatology | 3.0 |
| COUN 528/THAN 528 | Developmental Perspectives in Thanatology | 3.0 |
| COUN 529/THAN 529 | Historical and Multicultural Perspectives in Thanatology | 3.0 |
| COUN 560 | Affirmative Therapy w/ LGBTQIA+ Client | 1.0 |
| COUN 561 | Intro to Sexual Wellness in Counseling | 3.0 |
| COUN 562 | Attachment Theory in Clinical Practice | 1.0 |
| COUN 563 | Foundations in EMDR Therapy | 1.0 |
| COUN 564 | Psychopharmacology | 1.0 |
| COUN 565 | Introduction to Creativity in Counseling | 1.0 |
| COUN 566 | Mindfulness-Based Behavioral Approaches | 1.0 |
| COUN 575 | Independent Study | 1.0 - 3.0 |
| COUN 567 | Foundations in Disaster Mental Health | 1.0 |
| COUN 568 | Crisis Response & Prevention in Schools | 1.0 |
| COUN 570 | Contemporary Issues in Veterans' Health | 3.0 |
| COUN 590 | Teaching Assistantship | 1.0 |
| COUN 595 | Independent Research Project | 3.0 |
| COUN 599 | Special Topics in Counseling | 1.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.0 |
Practicum and Internship Requirements
| COUN 596 | Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling | .5 - 3.0 |
| COUN 597 | Internship I: Mental Health or School Counseling | .5 - 3.0 |
| COUN 598 | Internship II: Clinical Mental Health or School Counseling | .5 - 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1.5-9.0 |
SCHOOL COUNSELING
Required Specialty Courses
| COUN 540 | Foundations of School Counseling | 3.0 |
| COUN 541 | Program Planning, Management and Evaluation of School Counseling Programs | 3.0 |
| COUN 542 | Collaboration, Consultation and Supervision | 3.0 |
| COUN 543 | Counseling Children and Youth | 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.0 |
Choose 12 credits from the following:
Practicum and Internship Requirements
| COUN 596 | Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling | .5 - 3.0 |
| COUN 597 | Internship I: Mental Health or School Counseling | .5 - 3.0 |
| COUN 598 | Internship II: Clinical Mental Health or School Counseling | .5 - 3.0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1.5-9.0 |
Certificate Opportunities
Certificate in Trauma, Crisis, Grief and Loss (TCGL)
In addition to the MS degree in Counseling, students may complete the required courses for the Certificate in Trauma, Crisis, Grief and Loss as electives for the master's program.
Certificate in Thanatology
In addition to the MS degree in Counseling, students may obtain a Certificate in Thanatology if they choose the following as their four elective courses:
Students must indicate intent to complete the Certificate in Thanatology by submitting the Certificate Declaration form, found online at www.hood.edu/gradforms.
Total Credit Hours: 60.0