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GAPS – COUNSELING
Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Counselor Education and Supervision James M. Hepburn, Ph.D., Interim Director of Graduate Programs in Counseling Master of Arts
2015-2016
GAPS – Counseling
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS To be considered for admission into the Master of Arts in Counseling program, the student must submit the following: 1. Verification of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate institutions must be provided. 2. A current resume. 3. Two letters of reference. 4. A personal statement.
GAPS Counseling
GENERAL INFORMATION The Counseling program is designed to develop professional counselors who are caring, competent and committed to helping others. The Counseling program has two specialized tracks – Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Addictions Counseling – designed to meet the diverse needs and interests of students. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling option is for individuals who are primarily interested in helping others in community human service agencies or private practice counseling. The Addictions Counseling option is for individuals who want to serve people who have identified substance use disorders or process addictions such as gambling or internet addiction. Each track provides an ideal blend of theory and clinical practice that will enable graduates to begin their counseling careers with the confidence and skills needed to work as licensed professional counselors. The Master of Arts in Counseling requires 60 credit hours of instruction. The program is designed to be completed in 20 months of intensive, full-time study. Courses are offered in sixteen week sessions during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Half of the classes are offered in traditional classroom format, and half are offered through a blended format of online instruction and classroom meetings. Admission to the program is offered to all graduates with a four-year degree from accredited colleges and universities. The Graduate Admissions Committee will evaluate academic achievement at the undergraduate level, special skills, life experience, and other factors relevant to the prospective candidate before recommending admission to the program. The program is designed in accordance with the standards set forth by the American Counseling Association (ACA) and meets all academic requirements necessary for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Students can become nationally certified by passing the National Counselor Exam (NCE). The clinical mental health and addictions counseling specializations are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Addictions Counseling Specialization is approved by the Pennsylvania Certification Board. The Counseling Program is an approved continuing education provider by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).