Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Counselor Education at Wayne State University is a rigorous postgraduate programme delivered on-campus at Wayne State University. Designed for graduates and professionals seeking advanced expertise in education, the programme develops both theoretical foundations and applied skills essential for today's competitive environment.
Spanning 1–2 years, students engage with cutting-edge research, industry-relevant case studies, and practical projects. Instruction is delivered in English by research-active faculty with professional expertise.
The programme culminates in a dissertation or capstone project. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles, research careers, and doctoral study in education.
Key Program Features
Program highlights
- Six concentration options
- Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- High job placement rate and licensure pass rate
- Online and in-person courses
- Admission deadline: March 1 - Fall applications due for all concentrations August 1 - Winter applications due (CMHC)(SC)
- March 1 - Fall applications due for all concentrations
- August 1 - Winter applications due (CMHC)(SC)
What will you learn in the M.A. in counseling program?
In our program, you’ll get a strong grounding in the theoretical, philosophical, and evidence-based research assumptions of counseling processes and techniques. You’ll take courses on everything from developmental psychology to couples therapy to addiction treatment. You’ll explore the legal, ethical, and professional issues that have an impact on clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, and rehabilitation counseling.
Our cutting-edge training approach combines hybrid and in-person courses to support you in simultaneously building foundational knowledge and clinical skills.
Career Opportunities
Concentration options to fit your career goals
From art therapy to school counseling, you can choose a concentration to match your interests.
- Art Therapy Leverage the creative process of artmaking to help people work through emotional conflicts and promote personal growth.
- Leverage the creative process of artmaking to help people work through emotional conflicts and promote personal growth.
- Clinical Mental Health Prepare to apply for licensure as a professional counselor and work as a generalist in settings ranging from public and private mental health settings to youth service bureaus, hospice organizations, correctional institutions, and more.
- Prepare to apply for licensure as a professional counselor and work as a generalist in settings ranging from public and private mental health settings to youth service bureaus, hospice organizations, correctional institutions, and more.
- Clinical Rehabilitation With additional training on the medical and psychosocial aspects of disabilities, you can apply for licensure as a professional counselor and for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential.
- With additional training on the medical and psychosocial aspects of disabilities, you can apply for licensure as a professional counselor and for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential.
- School Counseling Through a developmental approach to delivering school counseling services in culturally diverse settings, you prepare to work as a school counselor and be recommended for the School Counselor License.
- Through a developmental approach to delivering school counseling services in culturally diverse settings, you prepare to work as a school counselor and be recommended for the School Counselor License.
- Combined Clinical Rehabilitation and School Counseling (CRC+SC) This combined concentration prepares you for licensure as both a professional counselor and a school counselor. It also leads to certification as a rehabilitation counselor, giving you an abundance of career opportunities.
- This combined concentration prepares you for licensure as both a professional counselor and a school counselor. It also leads to certification as a rehabilitation counselor, giving you an abundance of career opportunities.
- Combined School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (SC+CMHC) This concentration prepares you for licensure as both a professional and school counselor, giving you access to a variety of employment settings.
- This concentration prepares you for licensure as both a professional and school counselor, giving you access to a variety of employment settings.
An accredited counseling program
Our programs have been accredited and recognized by several national accrediting agencies. These recognitions demonstrate to potential employers that our program meets the standards set by the profession and help you stand out from other job applicants.
- Our master’s in counseling program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP).
- The art therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs .
- The Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc . (CCE) has qualified Wayne State University as a: Registered Credential Training Provider, RCTP1002-ACS, to provide training courses qualified for credit for eligibility for the Approved Clinical Supervisor Credential with the course: CED 9120: Seminar & Internship Supervising Counselors. Registered Credential Training Provider, RCTP1001-GCDF, to provide training courses qualified for credit for eligibility for the Global Career Development Facilitator Credential with the course: CED 6065: Career Development and Employment Strategies.
- Registered Credential Training Provider, RCTP1002-ACS, to provide training courses qualified for credit for eligibility for the Approved Clinical Supervisor Credential with the course: CED 9120: Seminar & Internship Supervising Counselors.
- Registered Credential Training Provider, RCTP1001-GCDF, to provide training courses qualified for credit for eligibility for the Global Career Development Facilitator Credential with the course: CED 6065: Career Development and Employment Strategies.
Prepare for state licensure
Our program prepares you for a variety of licensures and other credentials. Depending on which concentration you choose, you could be qualified for the following:
- School Counselor Licensure
- Professional Counselor Licensure (LPC)
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential
Program Curriculum
Masters in counseling program curriculum and course requirements
The M.A. in counseling requires a minimum of 60 credit hours. Coursework combines practical learning with in-depth study of the theories and practices of counseling.
The specific courses you take depend on which of our six concentrations you choose, but all students complete a supervised practicum and a counseling internship. These semester-long practical experiences give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned to build relationships and treat clients in a real-world setting.
Review the M.A. in counseling degree requirements Counseling syllabi
Concentration options to fit your career goals
From art therapy to school counseling, you can choose a concentration to match your interests.
- Art Therapy Leverage the creative process of artmaking to help people work through emotional conflicts and promote personal growth.
- Leverage the creative process of artmaking to help people work through emotional conflicts and promote personal growth.
- Clinical Mental Health Prepare to apply for licensure as a professional counselor and work as a generalist in settings ranging from public and private mental health settings to youth service bureaus, hospice organizations, correctional institutions, and more.
- Prepare to apply for licensure as a professional counselor and work as a generalist in settings ranging from public and private mental health settings to youth service bureaus, hospice organizations, correctional institutions, and more.
- Clinical Rehabilitation With additional training on the medical and psychosocial aspects of disabilities, you can apply for licensure as a professional counselor and for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential.
- With additional training on the medical and psychosocial aspects of disabilities, you can apply for licensure as a professional counselor and for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential.
- School Counseling Through a developmental approach to delivering school counseling services in culturally diverse settings, you prepare to work as a school counselor and be recommended for the School Counselor License.
- Through a developmental approach to delivering school counseling services in culturally diverse settings, you prepare to work as a school counselor and be recommended for the School Counselor License.
- Combined Clinical Rehabilitation and School Counseling (CRC+SC) This combined concentration prepares you for licensure as both a professional counselor and a school counselor. It also leads to certification as a rehabilitation counselor, giving you an abundance of career opportunities.
- This combined concentration prepares you for licensure as both a professional counselor and a school counselor. It also leads to certification as a rehabilitation counselor, giving you an abundance of career opportunities.
- Combined School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (SC+CMHC) This concentration prepares you for licensure as both a professional and school counselor, giving you access to a variety of employment settings.
- This concentration prepares you for licensure as both a professional and school counselor, giving you access to a variety of employment settings.
An accredited counseling program
Our programs have been accredited and recognized by several national accrediting agencies. These recognitions demonstrate to potential employers that our program meets the standards set by the profession and help you stand out from other job applicants.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements
Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School and requires an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above.
Program admission requirements include the following:
- A personal interview with an admission committee
- An autobiographical statement reflecting your personal and professional history with a statement of rationale for seeking admittance to the program
To apply to the Art Therapy concentration, you will also need to submit a portfolio of original artwork that demonstrates competence with art materials.
Application Deadlines
- March 1 : Fall applications due for all concentrations
- August 1 : Winter applications due for Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling concentrations
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
Contact university
Tuition and financial aid
Save money through Wayne State University's affordable Counseling program. Our tuition and fees are lower than comparable degrees from other major research universities in Michigan. You can also take advantage of our robust financial aid opportunities, including private scholarships . Try our net price calculator to estimate your costs and savings at WSU.
Admission requirements
Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School and requires an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above.
Program admission requirements include the following:
- A personal interview with an admission committee
- An autobiographical statement reflecting your personal and professional history with a statement of rationale for seeking admittance to the program
To apply to the Art Therapy concentration, you will also need to submit a portfolio of original artwork that demonstrates competence with art materials.
Application Deadlines
- March 1 : Fall applications due for all concentrations
- August 1 : Winter applications due for Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling concentrations
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Tuition and financial aid
Save money through Wayne State University's affordable Counseling program. Our tuition and fees are lower than comparable degrees from other major research universities in Michigan. You can also take advantage of our robust financial aid opportunities, including private scholarships . Try our net price calculator to estimate your costs and savings at WSU.
Admission requirements
Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School and requires an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or above.
Program admission requirements include the following:
- A personal interview with an admission committee
- An autobiographical statement reflecting your personal and professional history with a statement of rationale for seeking admittance to the program
To apply to the Art Therapy concentration, you will also need to submit a portfolio of original artwork that demonstrates competence with art materials.
Application Deadlines
- March 1 : Fall applications due for all concentrations
- August 1 : Winter applications due for Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling concentrations
About Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States
Wayne State University is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields. The...
University Profile- Language English
- Credits 60–120 ECTS (confirm with the university)