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Master of Arts in Counseling

Become a professional counselor who is caring, competent, and committed to helping others.

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Waynesburg University's Master of Arts in Counseling program will prepare you for a rewarding and fulfilling career--a career that’s also projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations in the next several years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Addictions Concentration was the first CACREP-accredited Addictions Counseling program in the state of Pennsylvania.

No matter which concentration you pursue, our blend of theory and clinical practice develops professionals who have the confidence and skills to work these positions as licensed counselors.

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CACREP Accredited

Waynesburg University’s Counseling Program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP).

View more accreditation information

Program Quick Facts

MA in Counseling

Next start date August 26, 2024
2024 COHORT INTERVIEWS

Virtual interviews for the 2024 cohorts will be held on the following days:

  • Nov. 2 and 16
  • Dec. 7
  • Jan. 18
  • Feb. 1 and 15
  • March 7 and 21
  • April 4 and 18
  • May 2 and 16
  • June 6 and 20
  • July 18

Register for an Interview

Estimated program length 20 months full-time, 5 Semesters
Credit hours 60
Course lengths 8 weeks
Delivery methods 100% Online
Traditional classroom & hybrid format
Cost per credit $715
Admission Requirements View Admission Requirements
Academic Calendar View Here

BHWET Grant Opportunity for Students

Waynesburg University's graduate counseling program was awarded a four-year grant from the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) to support the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) Program for Professionals. Waynesburg students can apply to receive a $10,000 stipend while completing their clinical field experience in the grant's focus area. Click here for more information.

Coursework & Requirements

View the Academic Catalog to further explore the curriculum. 

Concentrations

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

If you are primarily interested in helping others in community human service agencies or private practice counseling, this option is for you. Focus on the core knowledge and practice methodologies necessary to work as a mental health counselor and clinician in community agencies, or private practice. You will take core courses in counseling and in clinical mental health counseling area of specialization.

This is the most straightforward and traditional orientation used to train professional counselors, and provides all the academic requirements needed for licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC). 

Addictions Counseling

If you want to serve people who have identified substance use disorders or other compulsive disorders, such as gambling addiction, this option is for you. Gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a wide range of addiction counseling and prevention programs as well as mental health counseling facilities. Students take core courses in counseling and in addictions counseling area of specialization. Our Addictions Concentration was the first CACREP accredited Addictions Counseling program in the state of Pennsylvania.

This concentration provides all the academic requirements needed for licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC), meaning graduates have competencies to work with non-addicted populations as well as individuals with addiction. Graduates of this concentration are also prepared to meet the academic requirements for the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) certification, an important credential for working in the addictions field in Pennsylvania. 

Additional Areas of Study

Integrated BA/MA in Counseling Program

The Integrated Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts to Master of Arts in Counseling program allows students who have completed all undergraduate general education requirements and met other academic requirements to enroll in graduate counseling courses during their undergraduate senior year. 

Certificate in Addictions Counseling

This certificate program is for professionals currently working in addictions counseling or a related field, and for professionals with a master's degree in counseling who are seeking certification in addictions counseling. All courses offered in this program are approved by the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) as fulfilling educational requirements towards completion of Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) or Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) certifications. It’s a four-course, 12-credit option that is completed in two semesters.

Certificate in Clinical Supervision

This 12-credit, non-degree, post-baccalaureate certificate is offered 100% online and can be successfully completed in as little as two semesters. Upon completion, licensed professionals will be well positioned to pursue the Center for Credentialing and Education Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential and non-licensed professionals may qualify for the Pennsylvania Certification Board's Certified Clinical Supervision (CSC) credential.

Advanced Specialty in Christian & Spiritual Counseling

Non-degree seeking
Gain the awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary to effectively and ethically integrate faith with the service-focused profession of counseling. This specialty is designed to train practicing counselors, counselors-in-training (post 60 credits), educators, and other helping professionals to address issues of religion and spirituality in a variety of counseling and ministry settings including private practice, hospitals, community agencies, faith-based organizations, churches, and chaplaincies. It’s a four-course, 12-credit option that is completed in one semester and available 100% online.

Graduate Counseling Newsletter

Counseling Loan Repayment Initiatives

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NC-Sara Participating Institution logo

 

NC-SARA

Waynesburg University has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

Learn more about NC-SARA

Counseling News and Events

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