What you will study
If you focus on clinical mental health counseling at UCM, you’ll learn to help clients
address mental health challenges, relationship issues and substance abuse problems.
The school counseling pathway can lead to certification through DESE to work as a
school counselor and assist students in grades K–12 overcome learning obstacles, build
social and emotional skills and achieve academic goals.
Both of UCM’s Counseling master’s degree pathways prepare you to work in individual
or group counseling settings. The topics you’ll study may include:
- Parent and Family Counseling
- Counseling Diverse Populations
- Introduction to Group Work
Excellence in Counseling
- Among the Best Graduate Schools (Abound, 2022)
- One of Missouri’s Best Public Colleges and Universities (Academic Influence, 2021)
- One of GradReport’s Best Colleges (Salary Score in Missouri, 2021)
Unique learning opportunities in counseling
In the UCM Counseling master’s degree program, you’ll get practice and build confidence
in your counseling skills throughout grad school. We’ve built experiential learning
into your coursework, giving you ample opportunities to hone your counseling skills.
Some of these include:
- Counseling skill development: A pre-practicum (beginning skills course) to practice your counseling skills with
a fellow student.
- Group counseling: UCM’s Counseling degree program allows you to co-facilitate small groups with peers.
- Play therapy: Learn how to guide children through supervised child-centered play therapy. By taking
classes through UCM’s Play Therapy Institute, you’ll receive all educational requirements
needed to become a Registered Play Therapist. If you earn advanced standing and consent from the Play Therapy Institute director,
you could take additional courses at the Play Therapy Institute to work toward this certification from the national Association for Play Therapy
(APT).
- Practicum/internship placements: Site-based practicums and internships at participating schools and mental health facilities
give you the hands-on counseling experience you need to prepare for the licensure
process and work as a school counselor.
What can you do with a master’s degree in Counseling from UCM?
Our Master of Science in Counseling will prepare you for a career in one of two distinct
career tracks. Prepare for a career as a professional counselor in clinical mental
health or a school counselor who works with students.
Clinical mental health counselors work in public and private community/clinical counseling
centers, businesses, educational institutions, private practices, hospitals and employee
assistance programs and non-profit agencies.
School Counselors work in elementary, middle and high school settings and address
students’ emotional, social and academic, or career concerns. They oversee school
counseling programs, provide individual and group counseling, provide counseling class
lessons and career counseling, and consult with teachers, parents and guardians.
Explore jobs with a Counseling degree
Use the interactive tool below to learn more about salary potential, job growth and
career opportunities for counselors.
Financial assistance options for your Master of Science in Counseling
The University of Central Missouri offers scholarships such as these for graduate
students earning a Counseling degree:
- Dr. K. Dale Memorial Scholarship
- William Burl Hammers Memorial Scholarship
As one of LendEDU’s top-ranked universities for low student debt, we also offer a
variety of other resources to help you finance your Counseling master’s degree. You may also qualify for one of the scholarships offered by the College of Education.
Use the UCM Scholarship Finder to learn more about program-specific scholarships.
Meet Dr. Lucy Phillips
Assistant professor of counseling
Dr. Phillips has her professional counselor licensure, as well as professional experience
in university counseling centers, private practices, crisis counseling centers and
a behavioral health agency. Her research interests include self-compassion and shame,
counselor development and education and empirically supported treatment.
Learn More
Play Therapy Institute
The Play Therapy Training Institute at UCM is a university-approved center for play
therapy education. Recognized by the Association for Play Therapy, it offers fully
online and specialized courses to become a Registered Play Therapist while you earn
your Counseling master’s degree. Learn to help children express their feelings, work
through problems and practice new ways of interacting with others through play therapy.
Play Therapy at UCM
Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society
Join UCM’s student chapter, Zeta Chi
The Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society is a professional
counseling organization that recognizes counselors-in-training, counselor educators
and professional counselors. The Zeta Chi chapter offers its members opportunities
to engage in research and service activities related to professional counseling.
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