The MA in Counseling prepares students to become reflective, competent counseling practitioners who use research to inform their work with diverse students and clients.  The program prepares counselors who are eligible for state licensure as professional counselors or certification as school counselors in Missouri.  

Requirements for the Master of Arts in Counseling

Requirements for the Master of Arts in Counseling include completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours (33 core credits, 12 credits of practicum and internship, and 15-18 credits in one of three emphasis areas).  All coursework must be at the 5500 level or above and students must maintain a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, including earning at least a grade of B or better or Credit (CR) in each class on the program of study.

Up to twenty percent (i.e., 12 credits) of resident graduate coursework may be transferred from other accredited universities' graduate programs. A maximum of 49 percent of acceptable graduate work (29 credits) may be transferred from other campuses of the University of Missouri. Only courses that earned a grade of B (or Credit) or better are able to be transferred.  Credits are transferred only with the recommendation of the advisor and the consent of the dean's representative in the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences. Transfer credit must not be more than seven years old at the time of program completion.

Transfer credit may be allowed for online coursework if it meets program requirements for licensure in the state of Missouri (i.e., synchronous meetings that allow for visual and verbal interactions among faculty and students).

The School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences website of the Master of Arts in Counseling.

Requirements for Retention

Students must:

1. Meet all admission requirements.
2. File a planned program of study in consultation with a faculty advisor, securing approvals from the chair, dean's representative and the School of Graduate Studies. 
3. Complete all coursework listed on the approved program of study.
4. Maintain an acceptable graduate GPA with no grades below B (3.0) on any courses on the program of study. 
5. Apply for the degree (graduation) by the posted deadline during the final term of enrollment.
6. Enroll in at least one credit hour during the term they intend to graduate.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from this program will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the various major theories of counseling and demonstrate skills in application of them.
• Develop competency in creating and managing the counseling relationship, including counselor attitudes and behaviors that influence helping processes.
• Develop awareness, knowledge and skills in addressing the needs of diverse populations.
• Become versed in the major theories of career development and utilization of career assessment tools.
• Apply an understanding of assessment process and techniques to the selection, administration and interpretation of assessment instruments.
• Develop skills in the use of research to inform evidence-based practice.
• Develop a professional identity as a counselor.
• Develop knowledge, sensitivity and skill in the provision of group therapy.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in ethical practice and decision making.
• Demonstrate knowledge in diagnostic systems.
• Develop skills in preventive intervention and consultation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of theories of human development, biological factors in human functioning and sociocultural influences on behavior.
• Additional SLOs can be found in each specific emphasis area.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Counseling program at UMKC is to prepare students to meet the psychological, social/emotional and educational needs of people from diverse backgrounds.  Based on national and state standards for excellence in counselor preparation, the MA program in Counseling prepares students to be reflective, integrative practitioners who effectively use scholarship and research to successfully work as professional school counselors and licensed professional counselors in diverse settings. 

Overview of the M.A. in Counseling

The master's degree is the first professional degree in counseling. Graduates holding this degree will gain the basic understanding and skills necessary for professional practice as a certified school counselor and/or licensed professional counselor.  The program, which is primarily delivered in a face-to-face format with some online courses available, currently offers two emphasis areas leading to the M.A. degree: School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling.

The Counseling Program is accredited by the Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council. Both emphasis areas meet the educational requirements for licensure as a professional counselor in Missouri. Students pursuing licensure must complete the supervision requirements and pass the National Counselor Exam.  

Requirements for Admission

Alternative criteria may be accepted at the discretion of the admissions committee if there is good reason to believe the regular criteria do not adequately portray the student’s potential to do quality graduate work. Applicants may provide explanations for circumstances of not meeting the GPA criteria in the online application system.

• Overall undergraduate 2.75 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale
• Personal statement detailing interest in and plans for counseling degree relevant to the chosen emphasis area
• Three professional or academic letters of reference (not to include friends or family)
• Note that meeting the minimum criteria for admissions will not guarantee admission to the program

Admission Procedures

Students who wish to apply to the program must submit all required materials through the electronic portal: futureroo.umkc.edu/apply

Students will be required to submit their (a) UMKC Application for Admission, (b) $45 (domestic) or $75 (international) non-refundable application fee, (c) official transcripts from all colleges/universities previously attended, and (d) relevant documentation for permanent residents, refugees, DACA students, etc. 

In addition, students must complete the MA in Counseling Application, submit three academic or professional letters of reference (not to include friends or family), submit a statement describing their professional and personal goals relevant to the chosen emphasis area, and participate in an interview.  Additional requirements may apply for international students. 

Please Note: we do not provide feedback to applicants about their application materials or on the interview process. Admission to UMKC does not guarantee admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling degree program.

Requirements for Graduation

Students must complete all courses in the M.A. program with a B or better (or credit) in all coursework.  Courses can only be repeated once. Up to two classes can be retaken.

Students must apply for graduation by the posted deadline during their final term of enrollment. All students must be enrolled during the term they intend to graduate.

For more specific information about the M.A. in Counseling see the website of Master of Arts in Counseling.

Degree Requirements

All students in the M.A. in Counseling take a common core of 33 credit hours of coursework. In addition, students take 12 hours of practicum and internship relevant to their emphasis area and complete additional coursework (15-18 credit hours) related to their selected emphasis area.

* Note: Only courses with an asterisk may be taken prior to being admitted to the program.
# Note: Course can be taken if officially admitted to a graduate degree program.

Required Core Courses (All Emphases)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CPCE 5500	Introduction To Professional Counseling *	3
CPCE 5503	Diagnosing and Treatment Planning	3
CPCE 5505	Career Development I #	3
CPCE 5513	Lifespan Human Development *	3
CPCE 5515	Assessment Methods In Professional Counseling	3
CPCE 5520	Theories of Counseling	3
CPCE 5530	Skills for Counseling and Psychotherapy	3
CPCE 5540	Theories And Methods In Group Counseling	3
CPCE 5551	Counseling in a Pluralistic Society	3
CPCE 5553	Ethics And Professional Issues In Counseling	3
EDUC-R&P 5508	Principles And Methods Of Research *	3
Total Core Requirement Hours		33
Emphasis Area Requirements (See Specific Emphasis Areas for Details)		27-30
Total Degree Credit Hours		60-63

Licensure Disclosure

Graduates holding the UMKC M.A. Counseling degree will acquire the basic knowledge and skills necessary for professional practice as a licensed professional counselor and/or certified school counselor.  Licensure as a professional counselor is required for independent practice as a professional counselor; consult individual states for information on when a license is required to practice as a school counselor. 

Program Director

Mental Health and Couples and Family Emphasis:

LaVerne Berkel, PhD

School Emphasis:

LaVerne Berkel, PhD

Licensed Professional Counselor (All areas of emphasis)

Applying for licensure requires completing an application for licensure, successfully passing the state required counseling exam (e.g., National Counselor Exam), and completion of post-graduate supervised hours. In some states additional requirements may be needed for full licensure. 

There are other related licenses available (e.g., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Alcohol and Drug Counselor). Students may be interested in pursuing these additional career paths, but the UMKC M.A. Program curriculum does not meet the criteria for these licensures.  

UMKC M.A. Counseling Program: Professional Counselor 

States in Which the Curriculum Meets the Educational Requirements for Licensure

AK, American Samoa**, AR, DE, GA, Federated States of Micronesia**, KS, ME, MI, MS~, MO, NJ, NY, PR, Republic of Palau**, Republic of the Marshall Islands**, SC, TN, TX, USVI~, WA, WV.

States in Which the Curriculum Does Not Meet the Educational Requirements for Licensure

AL,  AZ*, CA, CO*, CT*, DC*, FL, ID, IN, Guam, HI*, IL, IA, KY, LA, MA, MD, MN, MT, NE*, NM, NV, NH*, NC, ND*, Northern Mariana Islands, OH, OK*, OR*, PA*, RI*, SD*, UT*, VT*, VA*, WI, WY.

~ Students may need to use program electives to meet different state requirements; school counseling students entering the program without initial teacher certification do not take electives. Consult with the M.A. program coordinator for additional information.
* Coursework requirements are met but a higher number of clinical hours are required.
** Licensure does not exist.

School Counselor Certification/Licensure (School Counseling emphasis area only)

Students completing the UMKC M.A. Counseling program with an emphasis in school counseling are prepared for school counseling practice and eligible to apply for Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) school counseling certification. In a few states, an initial teaching certification/licensure and/or teaching experience may be required. Individuals are encouraged to contact specific states to determine whether teaching certification/licensure is required for employment as a school counselor in that state.

States in Which Curriculum Meets Educational Requirements for School Counseling Certification/Licensure

AL, American Samoa**, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, Federated States of Micronesia**, FL, GA, Guam, HI, ID, IL, IN~, IA, KS^, KY^, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS^, MO, ND, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, PR**, Republic of Marshall Islands**, Republic of Palau**, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, USVI**, VA, VT, WI, DC.

States in Which Curriculum Does Not Meet Educational Requirements for School Counseling Certification/Licensure

AK, LA, MD, MT, NE, NY, OR, UT, WA, WV, WY.

** Licensure does not Exist
~ Specific courses must be taken as electives to fill licensure requirements.  Students completing the school counseling emphasis area will only meet this requirement if they have initial teaching certification/licensure when they enter the M.A. Counseling program. Contact the M.A. School Counseling Program Coordinator for additional information.
^ Must hold Missouri School Counseling Certification

Important: Licensure and certification processes and decisions are handled by states. All individuals seeking licensure as a professional counselor or certification/licensure as a school counselor are strongly encouraged to contact specific states for information regarding their state requirements.