MS Degree Program

The Master’s degree programs in Counseling prepare entry level counseling professionals with a broad knowledge base in fundamental social/behavioral science (human development, learning and cognition, personality theory, and emerging research on visible ethnic populations and gender differences), counseling and helping skills (individual and group counseling, and assessment), research and evaluation tools, and professional identity, role and function. The concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling concentration is accredited by the Council of Rehabilitation Counseling (CORE).

Program objectives are: (1) comprehension of concepts and theories underlying the profession of counseling; (2) ability to collect, analyze, and interpret individual and group data, and to generate and test hypothesis related to human behavior; (3) ability to effectively counsel in both individual and group settings: (4) ability to formulate, implement, and evaluate appropriate counseling programs and interventions; (5) ability to understand and demonstrate ethical behavior and the legal and ethical implications of that behavior; and (6) development of sensitivity and understanding of the needs of persons who are culturally different, including the ability to (a) examine attitudes and myths regarding the culturally different client and (b) the sociopolitical forces impacting the culturally different client.

Program Prerequisites

Students need 6 semester hours of course work at the upper division undergraduate or the graduate level in psychological or cultural foundations.

Program Admission

Program admission for concentrations in the Counseling program

1. Applicants must apply to the Graduate School and to the program. The Master of Science degree in Counseling is a limited access program; not all eligible candidates are admitted. To be considered for admission, applicants must provide:
   1. Official undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts of all academic work completed,
   2. Complete a program admission application including a personal statement,
   3. Provide three letters of academic and/or professional reference,
   4. Complete an interview with the faculty.
2. Deadline for the completion of all admissions requirements is March 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester. The program selection committee selects students after all application materials and the personal interview are completed. Program admissions forms are available in the department office.

All college transcripts and test score information should be sent directly to Graduate Admissions.

Program Requirements:

The proposed concentration would require the completion of 60-credit hours of graduate study. All courses are required. Courses completed within the last five years at an accredited college or university will be considered for transfer on a course-by-course basis.

Graduation Requirements:

Students must complete all ten required courses and the one elective with a B average (3.00) or higher, for a total of 60 credit hours. In the semester of graduation, the student must “Apply to Graduate” in the MyMemphis Portal and submit a Master’s Degree Candidacy form to the Graduate Analyst in Ball Hall 215 (3798 Walker Ave., Memphis, TN 38152) by the deadline specified by the Graduate School.

Retention Requirements:

Students in the Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling concentration of our MS program will be required to maintain a minimum overall 3.0 GPA in all graduate work (the same as in our four existing concentrations). Any failure to meet satisfactory progress or to maintain a 3.0 overall GPA may result in referral to a faculty retention committee to assist the student to ensure retention and eventual successful completion of the program.

Other Requirements

1. All programs include clinical components, practica, and internships; each student’s effectiveness will be evaluated by faculty and supervisors. Prior to contact with clients in practicum and internship, students are expected to provide evidence of good judgment and appropriate emotional functioning. Final decisions regarding student effectiveness will be predicated upon factors that include course grades, demonstrated clinical competence, personality factors, and any relevant test scores.
2. Comprehensive examination.