Online Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development
Dual Specialization
Broaden your opportunities as a counseling professional.
Walsh University’s online Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development—Dual Specialization marries the Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization and School Counseling specialization to maximize your counseling knowledge to support a wider range of clients and students. Geared toward compassionate professionals who desire to impact youth within the school setting as well as diagnose and treat individuals, groups and families in clinical settings, this 78-credit hour program will provide you with all the core knowledge and specialized training you need to become licensed as both a mental health counselor and school counselor.
This program will prepare you with the ability to:
- Become an independent licensed practitioner and develop and apply your own philosophy for counseling and consultation.
- Address clinical problems in your clients to help them improve coping and functioning skills.
- Gain an understanding of the history and philosophy of the counseling profession and professional counseling roles.
- Analyze conflicts and crises associated with progression throughout the lifespan.
- Confidently diagnose/treat mental and emotional disorders.
- Promote the wellness and full development of individuals, groups, and families.
- Apply counseling approaches to clients/students and families experiencing trauma or loss such as suicide, death of a parent or sibling, homicide, or unexpected death.
- Address issues such as academic achievement, mood and anxiety, oppositional and defiant behavior, sexuality, and substance use.
- Influence students’ lives through learned counseling methods.
- Consult, collaborate, and lead within the educational system through organization/administration knowledge.
- Learn counseling assessment and intervention for relational mental and behavioral problems.
- 26 courses, 78 credits
- 120 Practicum hours/1,200 Internship hours completed in your own community
- Just under 5 years to complete
- 8-week terms
- 1:1 faculty guidance
- Values-based education
- Site placement services and student support at no cost
- 5 convenient starts per year
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university in any field
- GPA minimum 3.0 (No GRE or MAT with 3.0)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Notarized affidavit of good moral character
- Faculty Interview
- Resume
- Personal Statement
Our Financial Aid Office is committed to working with you. We also award aid based on need. Tuition for Walsh University’s online graduate programs varies depending on the number of credits required to complete the degree. The cost per credit hour is $775 for this program.
To calculate tuition for your degree program or to discuss your financial aid options, schedule an appointment or contact an enrollment advisor today at 888.899.4046.
$10,000 stipend opportunity available to qualified students! Contact Rose Mogus at rmogus@walsh.edu or 330-490-7264, or visit walsh.edu/cope for details!
As a student, you’ll benefit from an exceptional learning experience from a reputable, values-focused university.
- The Walsh Online Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development program is fully aligned with our CACREP-accredited on-ground program.
- We are recognized as a College of Distinction for Ohio universities, Catholic universities, and Overall for 2021–2022
- Approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board.
- U.S. News & World Report ranked us #58 in Best Value Schools Midwest, and #39 in Regional Universities Midwest.
Walsh University opened its doors in North Canton, OH, on November 17, 1960. Founded and operated by the Brothers of Christian Instruction, whose beginnings date back to France following the French Revolution. Walsh University grew from humble beginnings to a thriving campus community.
Today, Walsh is a Catholic liberal arts university that has grown to encompass more than 2600 students and 16,000 alumni. Our North Canton campus sprawls over 130 acres, and we offer more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs. Through Walsh University’s online degree completion program, we also educate students virtually from anywhere in the world.
A Values-Based Education
As a Catholic University that welcomes students of all faiths, Walsh is dedicated to developing the whole person. Like our courageous, hard-working, and faithful founders, you will be prepared to lead in service to others. Evolve as a well-rounded individual through meaningful relationships within a diverse community of faculty, students, and mentors.
In advance of your practicum or internship, our field experience team will begin working with you to help secure approved sites to complete practicum and internship hours within your own community, at no additional cost. You will also benefit from a Student Support Advisor who supports you from enrollment through graduation. We fully prepare our students for their licensure exam; all students in our 2021 Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduating class passed their NCE on first attempt and secured jobs within six months of graduation
Employment
Graduates of the Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development—Dual Specialization program are prepared to enter a field where they will impact others’ lives. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors category is in the top 20 of fastest growing occupations in the nation, with a projected 10-year growth of 25.2%. The projected 10-year growth for the Marriage and Family Therapists category is 22%. In 2020, there were 85,566 job postings for counselors. The projected 10-year growth for school counselors and career counselors is 8%. Also, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 41% of the 784,000 counselors working in the nation today are school counselors. About 80% of all current positions in counseling are in school counseling and mental health counseling.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a licensed counselor is $46,240. The median salary for a licensed school counselor is $57,040. In 2020, there were 75,458 job postings for school counselors. The career outlook for this profession continues to be positive with faster than average growth.
Demand
The demand for counselors is driven by the increase in many mental health challenges. Experts in the field believe there is a mounting mental health crisis exacerbated by the pandemic. Counselors are needed to address growing populations suffering from addiction, anxiety and depression and other mental disorders. Counselors can help to reduce the suicide rate, currently the second leading cause of death among ages 10 to 34.
Here’s What Our Online School Counseling Program Students Say
"Walsh’s graduate counseling program offers valuable courses that foster growth in counseling and communication that I knew would be directly transferable to my current work as a professional in the field of education. I was relieved by the immediate advising and tremendous support I got from faculty members who have helped me while I maintain a full-time work schedule. I am eager to meet the challenges to successfully complete my master’s and am confident that it will offer me opportunities of promotion in my career."
-Maria Oriti, MA Counseling Program
"As an educator, I am fortunate to be in a school system daily and interact closely with students. From the moment I began the program, I gained knowledge and critical skills that enhanced my abilities as both an educator and future school counselor. The faculty truly cares about the success of each grad student, and they took the time to personally invest in each of us. Questions were never left unanswered, and feedback was always given promptly and in a helpful and constructive manner. The small class sizes provided opportunities for connections to be made and collaboration to occur. The students in my cohort became family, with many hours spent together finishing notes, studying for tests, or working on projects. While the coursework was challenging and the standards were high, I walked into exams and licensure tests confident and well-prepared. With that being said, I am confident that I will feel just as prepared when I enter the school counseling field as a licensed professional.”
-Teresa Rufo, School Counseling Program
Core Curriculum
Intro to Counseling/Counseling Profession
Orientation to the counseling profession through an examination of the history and philosophy of the counseling profession; professional roles of counselors; professional issues in professional counseling. Introduction to stages and strategies in the counseling process. Development of attending skills and case conceptualization abilities. Includes an intensive laboratory focused on developing interviewing skills and mastering counseling procedures. This is a fundamental course.
Foundations of School Counseling
This course serves as an orientation to the school counseling profession. The course covers history, philosophy, and trends in school counseling; roles, responsibilities, knowledge of the school setting and curriculum; legal and ethical issues; policies, laws, and legislation, and implications of sociocultural, demographic, and lifestyle diversity; and organization and administration of the educational system. Students will learn how to organize, administer, and evaluate a comprehensive, developmental school counseling program based on current models of school counseling programs and the individual, school, and community needs. They will learn about national standards, certification and licensure requirements
Theory and Practice of Addictions Counseling
Theories and practice of addiction focuses on knowledge and skills needed for the development and implementation of theories of addiction counseling, treatment approaches and procedures, prevention, and recovery maintenance in the addictions field. Emphasis is placed on selection and utilization evidence-based practice.
Foundations for Practice
Orientation to the professional specialty of clinical mental health counseling, including professional roles, identity and functions, the history and philosophy of the profession, scope of practice, ethical and professional practice issues (such as managed care), credentialing, and clinical supervision, models and processes. Exploration of the models and programs used in the prevention and treatment of mental health across diverse populations, and the design of mental health service delivery systems across levels of care. Investigation of the organization (including emergency management systems), financing, public policy and regulatory processes of mental health service delivery systems. Consideration of advocacy for mental health service needs across diverse populations and for the advancement of the profession.
Practicum
Intensive counseling experiences with individual and group supervision. Emphasis is on developing the therapeutic relationship, counseling procedures, ethical practice and the application of counseling theories to various client concerns. Course focuses on assisting counselor trainees to improve individual and group counseling skills. According to CACREP 2009 Standards, Section III.G.1-4, Mental Health Counseling Practicum involves 100 hours of mental health counseling services including: individual and group counseling (at least 40 face-to-face hours); testing; consultation; referral and case management; assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning; taped case review; termination procedures; and individual and group supervision. The face-to-face counseling hours are generated through the Walsh Health counseling Center (HCC) in conjunction with specified off-site programs. Please note that at least 8-10 group counseling hours are required and count toward the required cumulative total of 40 face-to-face hours. Also, according to CACREP 2009 Standards, Section III.G.1-4, School Counseling Practicum involves 100 hours of school counseling activities including: individual and group counseling (at least 40 face-to-face hours); guidance activities; consultation; referral and case management; psycho-social assessment; taped case review; termination procedures; and individual and group supervision. The face-to-face hours are generated through the HCC in conjunction with specified off-site school settings. Therefore, in order to meet both mental health and school CACREP standards for clinical instruction and licensure requirements for each specialty, Dual Counseling Practicum requires: 1) a total of 60 hours face-to-face individual and group counseling; with the 60-hour total, a minimum of 20 face-to-face hours of direct service to K-12 age children and/or adolescents must be provided in an approved off-site school setting. A minimum total of 120 cumulative Practicum hours are thus required. More specific production requirements are specified below. In addition, students must complete observation hours at the off-site location, have a mid-term evaluation with an overall score of 3.0 out of a 5 point scale, and have HCC site supervisor approval prior to being released for direct hours with clients.
Research Methods/Program Evaluation
An overview of statistical concepts and methods used in counseling research from single case-study, qualitative designs through complex, multivariate quantitative research designs. Included are consideration of sampling methods, descriptive and inferential statistics with particular reference to hypothesis testing, and the analysis, evaluation and interpretation of statistical data, using computer-based systems. The course includes consideration of the use of research methods in program evaluation, needs assessments and outcome studies. Special focus is given to understanding the importance of integrating research into the professional identity of school and mental health counselors to the benefit of students, clients and the overall profession. This is a foundational course. It must be taken within the first 3 semesters following admission.
Consul, Collaboration & Leadership
This course is designed to provide an overview of the major consultation and leadership theories and techniques and to help students develop consultation, collaboration, and leadership skills which may be applied in higher education, K-12, community agencies, or other settings. The School Counseling and SAHE students will explore consultant and leadership characteristics, sociocultural factors, and legal and ethical considerations as it applies to their respective specialties. Students will also learn about the qualities, principles, skills, and styles of effective leaders and consultants.
Assessment and Treatment Planning in Addictions
This course focuses on the conceptual framework for the use of assessment tools as they relate to the assessment and development of treatment planning for substance use and other addiction disorders. Signs, symptoms, and patterns of use will be examined, as well as psych-social and family dynamics. This course will assist clinicians in identifying strategies for screening and assessing clients and development of effective treatment plans.
Advanced Abnormal Behavior
Survey of all forms of abnormal behavior within each group of psychiatric disorders, viewed from various etiological perspectives, including neurobiological, psychodynamic, humanistic/existential, family systems, and cognitive-behavioral. Review of current research regarding etiology and treatment across all forms of abnormal behavior. Delineation of symptoms, etiology, developmental course of the disorders, commonly accepted treatment modalities and prognosis across culturally diverse populations. Review of psychotropic medications, including their drug actions, common side effects and their use in the treatment of specific psychiatric disorders. Consideration of the prevention of abnormal behavior and issues related specifically to abnormal behavior among racial, ethnic, and socially diverse groups.
School Internship I
Internship in School Counseling serves as the culminating experience for the school counselor-in-training. The basic purpose of the internship is to provide each intern with a field experience and the opportunity to integrate the application of counseling theories and skills to counseling practice with individuals, groups, families, children, and/or adolescents in a school setting. Evaluation of skills is made through close supervision by the supervising school counselor and the instructor.
- Application Deadline: June 24, 2024
- Classes Start: July 1, 2024
Assessment in Counseling
An overview of basic statistical concepts and methods in psychometrics and the uses of group and individual psychological testing and other assessment methods in counseling (interviews, biopsychosocial evaluation). It provides an overview of the history and current context of psychometric assessment, including ethical and legal perspectives and social and cultural perspectives. The course considers the application of assessment methods to client case conceptualization and the measurement of client progress and outcomes. It provides an overview of various types of standardized and non-standardized psychological assessment including the use of intelligence, aptitude and ability, achievement, symptom checklists and personality assessment instruments. The course introduces students to test reviewing and counseling assessment report writing. This is a foundational course. It must be taken within the first 3 semesters following admission.
Evidence based Practice in Addiction Counseling
This course focuses on advanced theories and techniques in family, relationship and group counseling specific to psychoactive substance abuse and addiction, assessments, dysfunctional relationships, family systems, effects of growth and development, group dynamics, diversity ad facilitation, pharmacology of both drugs of abuse as well as detoxification and treatment of addiction and mental/emotional disorders, drug tolerance, sensation/perception and legal/ethical issues in pharmacology
Issues in School Counseling
This course is designed to provide an overview of current issues in school counseling such as achievement gap, academic success, preventing school dropout, at risk youth, exceptional abilities, homelessness, etc. This course emphasizes developmentally appropriate prevention, intervention, and responsive counseling services for working with the diverse populations within the school setting. Included topics: program planning, implementation and evaluation; use of date and accountability; advocacy and ethical and legal practices in the context of the school environment.
Diagnosis of Mental/Emotional Disorders
An overview of the historical and ethical issues, conceptual principles, and current research regarding diagnostic systems used in classifying mental and emotional disorders with special reference to the DSM system. Focus on practice in making differential diagnostic formulations, recognizing signs and symptoms related to diagnostic systems (including the use of the Mental Status Exam), using current DSM and ICD nomenclature, provisional diagnoses and rule outs. Practice in articulating the relationship of biopsychosocial case conceptualization to diagnostic processes. Practice in evaluating the impact of medical and substance use on diagnosis. Consideration of the racial, ethnic and cultural heritage, and social diversity on diagnostic processes, and the appropriate use of diagnostic processes during crisis and disaster events.
School Internship II
Internship in School Counseling serves as the culminating experience for the school counselor-in-training. The basic purpose of the internship is to provide each intern with a field experience and the opportunity to integrate the application of counseling theories and skills to counseling practice with individuals, groups, families, children, and/or adolescents in a school setting. Evaluation of skills is made through close supervision by the supervising school counselor and the instructor.
Theories of Counseling
Study of selected theories of counseling and psychotherapy including the application of specific techniques to human problems and to the promotion of optimal mental health. The role of the counselor in initiating and supporting the change process in an ethically and legally sound manner. The application of counseling theories in case conceptualization, intervention selection, and consultation. Foundational understanding of theories to allow the development of a personal philosophy for counseling and consultation to be used in applied settings. This is a beginning level course.
Marriage and Family Counseling
(course description pending)
Counseling Children & Adolescents
The course covers the clinical management of common problems with children/adolescents. The importance of family and parent training is emphasized, as well as the critical need to intervene with children using play as the language of the child, Issues such as academic achievement, mood and anxiety, behavioral management, oppositional and defiant behavior, sexuality, substance use and abuse, self-harm and suicide are explored from a developmental perspective. Assessment, service planning and building a community-based system of care will be described based on current research literature. Creative interventions, including symbolic and art techniques, will also be explored.
Treatment of Mental/Emotional Disorders
Exploration of the delivery of mental health services through empirically-supported treatments, and integrative, theory-related, individualized case conceptualization and comprehensive treatment planning for individuals from diverse social groups. Practice in the use of commonly accepted biopsychosocial case conceptualizations, treatment planning and case documentation systems with specific case materials. Consideration of lethality and crisis assessment and intervention strategies based on developmental stage and context, strengths and vulnerabilities. Review of strategies for the delivery of crisis, brief and outpatient/long-term mental health services across the continuum of care, including consideration of the use of family and social networks. Consideration of appropriate service delivery and interventions for disaster, crisis and trauma-causing events among socially diverse populations.
Internship I
Designed as the capstone of clinical training, these are performance-based courses in which students must demonstrate their competence in diagnosis and treatment planning in an approved clinical setting (clinic, private practice, hospital, etc.). Emphasis is on the application of academic training and skills with clients. Evaluation of demonstrated skills is made through close supervision by an on-site supervisor and the instructor.
Lifespan Development
Overview of human development processes and stages. Analysis of predictable conflicts and crises associated with progression throughout lifespan, as well as the impact of cultural and environmental factors upon development. Overview of developmental theories (physical, psychosexual, cognitive, emotional, and social development) that describe development from conception to death. Concentration upon applying theoretical concepts to counseling various populations across lifespan. This is a beginning level course.
Developmentally Informed Trauma, Crisis & Grief Interventions
Students will develop an understanding of counseling clients/students during crisis, disaster, and other trauma/grief causing events. This course will examine theories, models, assessment techniques, and intervention strategies. The counselor's collaborative role in crisis preparedness and response if examined, including self-care strategies. The difference in responses to trauma/grief will be explored, along with counseling strategies to facilitate a healthy recovery. Counseling approaches for clients/students and families experiencing the trauma/loss such as suicide, death of a child/sibling, homicide, and unexpected death will be included.
Trauma Assessment/Treatment
This is an elective course focused on trauma assessment and treatment to respond to the current issues in the mental health counseling field. The philosophical underpinning of counseling is to promote wellness and full development of individuals. This class in turn is focused on introducing students to trauma and history, understanding how trauma impacts human functioning as well as various forms of trauma, current treatment and counseling theories, assessment, research, relationship between trauma and culture, and practice in order to prepare them to work with individuals whose concerns relate to trauma all while teaching students to promote client wellness.
Personality Assessment
In-depth consideration of the integrated use of standardized psychometric assessment instruments (including their limitations), biopsychosocial evaluation (diagnostic interviewing), and the use of the Mental Status Examination in the clinical evaluation and treatment of individuals. Focus on the importance of considering personality style, and social and cultural diversity in clinical assessment, case conceptualization and treatment planning processes. Practice in the use of various assessment batteries, their administration, scoring and interpretation, and the application of assessment results to the clinical evaluation of individuals, and the development of comprehensive counseling assessment reports, case conceptualizations, and treatment plans.
Internship II
Designed as the capstone of clinical training, these are performance-based courses in which students must demonstrate their competence in diagnosis and treatment planning in an approved clinical setting (clinic, private practice, hospital, etc.). Emphasis is on the application of academic training and skills with clients. Evaluation of demonstrated skills is made through close supervision by an on-site supervisor and the instructor.
Clinical Mental Health Specialty Courses
Career Counseling
Various aspects of career, including planning, exploration, and involvement, are integral elements of human development. One of the philosophical foundations of the counseling profession is to promote the wellness and full development of individuals. Thus, the focus of this course is to introduce students to foundational career development and counseling theories, as well as the current state of career development assessment, research, and practice in order to prepare them to work with individuals' developmental concerns which relate to career development.
Developmental Issues & Disorders
An overview of the range of childhood/adolescent behaviors in childhood/adolescent psychiatric disorders, addictions/substance use disorders, and developmental issues that may arise. Disorders/issues are viewed from various etiological perspectives, including neurobiological, psychodynamic, humanistic/existential, family systems, and cognitive-behavioral. Review of current research regarding etiology and treatment across behaviors/disorders. Delineation of symptoms, etiology, developmental course of the disorders, commonly accepted treatment modalities and prognosis across culturally diverse populations. Review of psychotropic medications, including their drug actions, common side effects and their use in the treatment of specific disorders/issues. Consideration of the prevention of behaviors and issues related specifically to children/adolescents from socially diverse groups.
Motivational Counseling
(course description pending)
School Counseling Specialty Courses
Group Process
This course is designed to introduce students to the group as a unique medium of implementing the counseling process. Emphasis is placed upon the analysis of group dynamics as it relates to counseling, growth, and development. Employing various theoretical perspectives, students will be exposed to the possibilities of group counseling in a variety of settings with different populations. Learning is facilitated through an experiential model and an interpersonal lab is required.
Addictions
Course presents the biopsychosocial approach to the etiology, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders and addictive behaviors. Includes application of counseling theories and techniques in chemical dependency counseling as well as an overview of treatment stages and environments. Examines the impact of addiction on the family and the role of self-help groups in the recovery process. This is an intermediate level course.
Social/Cultural Diversity in Counseling
Exploration of social and cultural diversity in counseling, including diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural heritages and sexual identities and socioeconomic statuses. Study of historical and current issues of equality as applied to socially marginalized groups. Personal reflection on the impact of one's own attitudes, beliefs, world view, and racial and cultural identity on the counseling process. Strategies for employing culturally competent counseling in individual, group, and family modalities, including specific behavioral skills and application of various theories of racial and cultural identity development. The role of the counselor as an advocate for members of marginalized groups and for the pursuit of social justice. Ethical and legal obligations of counselors in dealing with social and cultural diversity
Practicum/Internships
Ethics/Issues in Counseling
Examination of historical factors that have contributed to the development of the counseling profession and the present-day organization of professional counseling. Overview of professional organizations, licensure and credentialing, and advocacy issues. Application of ethical codes to mental health and school counseling issues. Standards for professional practice and issues related to delivery of counseling services are emphasized in this course.