Graduate Programs

Master of Arts / Ed. Specialist in Mental Health Counseling

Mental health counseling is a professional counseling specialty which involves the application of principles of psychotherapy, human development, learning theory, group dynamics and the assessment of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior. Mental health counseling includes the practice of prevention, early intervention, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders for individuals, families, and/or groups and consultation and education for community groups interested in promoting healthy lifestyles in the community.

The mental health counseling program is designed to provide graduate level preparation for students who seek advanced educational experiences and clinical training leading to certification and/or licensure for professional positions in the mental health counseling field. The MA/Ed.S degree is a tethered, combined degree. A student cannot finish one degree without the other. Therefore, in order to obtain either degree the student must complete the entire graduate program. Students holding a counseling master’s degree from a graduate program from within or outside Gardner-Webb University will not be able to pursue the Ed.S. portion of the degree by augmenting their course work with additional courses from the Gardner-Webb University Mental Health Counseling program.

Location

This program is offered on the main campus in Boiling Springs, NC. A cohort-style program is also periodically offered on our Statesville Campus.

Dr. Faith Weathington, Coordinator Mental Health Counseling, Main Campus

Deadlines for Admission

First Round Interviews

Materials deadline Jan 20 2009
Interviews Friday Feb. 27 2009
Notices sent to Admissions and Acceptance letters to applicants Mar. 6 2009

Second Round Interviews

Materials deadline May 1 2009
Interviews June 22 2009
Notices sent to Admissions and Acceptance letters to applicants before July 4th break 2009

Dr. Frieda Brown, coordinator Mental Health Counseling, Statesville Campus
The deadline for Spring 2010 Statesville, NC Campus is June. 1st.

Criteria for Admission

The requirements for the role of a mental health counselor are both personal and intellectual. During an admissions interview the faculty will assess the academic background and personal qualities and goals of applicants. Applicants will be admitted who meet the personal and academic requirements of the program.

Recognizing the need to accept students who have the greatest likelihood of success in this role, the following standards will be used for admission to the mental health counseling program.

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a minimum 3.00 grade point average.
A minimum of 18 hours of psychology or related areas to include introductory, abnormal/psychopathology, personality theory, developmental, learning theory, assessment, and research.
Satisfactory test scores on either the Graduate Record Examination or the Miller Analogies Test.
Three positive letters of reference.
A successful interview by faculty within the program.
A questionnaire requiring applicants to respond to questions relative to the pursuit of a counseling graduate degree.
Proof of satisfactory criminal background record check for all states of residence for the past five (5) years. (See below.)

Prior to admission a satisfactory "Criminal Record Check" for all states of residence for the past five (5) years must be submitted to the Graduate School. The purpose of the criminal background check is to meet requirements of some clinical agencies in which students learn and practice counseling methods. Criminal background histories obtained for employment purposes are not acceptable for admission to the Counseling programs. Information received pertaining to criminal background histories will become a part of the student's confidential permanent academic file.

Any conviction or pending criminal charges cited in the criminal history will be reviewed by the Graduate School and Counseling graduate faculty. Any allegations or charges of misdemeanor(s) or felony(s) that occur after the Criminal Record Check has been submitted must be reported immediately to the Graduate School and to the Dean of the School of Psychology and Counseling. Failure to report allegations of such charges may result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Course Requirements

		A. Professional Component
CEDU	610	Counseling Theories	3 hrs.
CEDU	620	Methods of Research and Program Evaluation	3 hrs.
CEDU	640	The Counselor as Professional, Practitioner, and Consultant	3 hrs.
CEDU	650	Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling	3 hrs.
CEDU	665	Multicultural Counseling	3 hrs.
CEDU	635	Advanced Psychopathology	3 hrs.
CEDU	605	Advanced Human Growth and Development	3 hrs.
CEDU	699	Professional Development of the Mental Health Counselor	6 hrs.

		B. Skill Component
CEDU	615	The Helping Relationship	3 hrs.
CEDU	616	Methods of Assessment and Evaluation	3 hrs.
CEDU	625	Group Counseling	3 hrs.
CEDU	655	Psychodiagnostics and Treatment Planning	3 hrs.
CEDU	612	Vocational/Career Assessment Counseling	3 hrs.
CEDU	621	Crisis Intervention Counseling	3 hrs.
CEDU	630*	Individual Psychological Assessment and Measurement	3 hrs.
CEDU	646*	Couples and Family Counseling	3 hrs.
CEDU	647*	Child and Adolescent Counseling	3 hrs.
CEDU	660*	Substance Abuse Counseling Seminar	3 hrs.
CEDU	667*	Seminar on Contemporary Issues in Counseling	3 hrs.
Electives: Students choose two courses for a total of six semester hours credit. Courses listed in BOLD* print are considered core classes.
		C. Applied Component
CEDU	670	Practicum in Mental Health Counseling	3 hrs.
CEDU	690	Internship in Mental Health Counseling	3 hrs.
CEDU	691	Internship in Mental Health Counseling	3 hrs.
CEDU	692	Internship in Mental Health Counseling	3 hrs.