Counseling Program Overview

Counseling concentration options: Addiction Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling

Credit hours 

60 credits for all concentrations

Accreditation 

All programs CACREP accredited 

Hybrid on-campus

  • 40% in-person courses; 60% online courses.
  • Eight (8) sixteen week face to face; 4:00 pm-6:50 pm or 7:00 pm -9:50 pm EST. 
  • Four (4) sixteen-week synchronous online. 
  • Eight (8) eight-week online asynchronous.

*Online synchronous and asynchronous courses may vary.

Online program

  • Approximately 55% synchronous courses; 45% asynchronous courses.
  • Six (6) sixteen-week live synchronous courses. 
  • Five (5) eight-week live synchronous courses; All live courses run 6-9 pm EST.
  • Nine (9) eight-week asynchronous online courses. 
  • No Residency Required.

* Online synchronous and asynchronous courses may vary.

Transfer credit

The CMU Counseling Program will transfer up to 15 credits from another CACREP-accredited counseling program.  The program will not transfer courses in techniques, group, practicum, or internship and approval of transfer credit is based on the transcript, syllabus, CACREP alignment and faculty approval. 

Course sequence

Courses must be taken in a specific developmental sequence.  Students receive a program plan and must follow the program plan unless the advisor gives permission to deviate. 

In conjunction with foundation coursework, you will translate knowledge into skills when you participate in a sequence of supervised counseling experiences prior to your internship placement.  For more information on clinical experiences please visit the Counseling Program Clinical Experiences page. 

Full-time and part-time options

Full-Time: Full-time students register for nine (9) credits per semester; Fall, Spring, and Summer (year-round).  Full-time students complete the program in 2.5 years. 

Part-Time: Part-time students register for six (6) credits per semester, Fall, Spring & Summer (year-round). Part-time students complete the program in 3.5 years. 

Licensure

  • Clinical Mental Health Counselors are eligible for a Limited License Counselor (LLC) in Michigan and most other states.  
  • School Counselors are eligible for a Limited Licensed Counselor (LLC) in Michigan, a School Counselor License and/or the School Counselor NT endorsement on a teaching certificate in Michigan.
  • Addiction Counselors are eligible for a Limited Licensed Counselor (LLC in Michigan and the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) in Michigan.

For licensure requirements in all 50 states please visit our Counseling Program Student Resources page.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for Admission to the M.A. in Counseling program, a complete application includes:

  • a graduate application;
  • all transcripts from undergraduate and graduate degree work;
  • resume or short statement of relevant work or volunteer experience 
  • written statement of purpose and general plans for graduate study; and 
  • two completed letters of recommendation are required for your application.  Both letters should be professional references from an academic instructor, current/past supervisor, professional colleague etc.  Recommendation letters must speak to the applicant's ability to perform in a professional work and/or academic setting.  Professional colleagues are considered individuals the applicant has worked with in a professional work or professional volunteer setting.  The counseling program will not accept recommendation letters from the following sources: family members, friends: or individuals who provide the applicant with professional health services (therapist, doctor, etc.) 

The written statement should consist of a 3-page APA formatted essay (cover page does not count as one page) detailing the following:

  1. state your career goals;
  2. describe how completing an M.A. in Counseling will help you fulfill those goals; 
  3. describe your readiness to engage in a digital learning environment in the hybrid (face-to-face and online) or fully online program; and
  4. describe your strengths and areas for growth as a graduate student.