Counseling Programs

Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision

Gain the knowledge and experience to assume a leadership role in a clinical, community, nonprofit, academic, or research setting, or to work as a counselor educator. Reach a significant milestone in your career as you earn one of the most highly respected degrees in the profession. Study advanced teaching, supervision, and counseling skills and further develop your expertise in a relevant area.

Specializations (in addition to the General Program)

• Consultation
• Counseling and Social Change
• Forensic Mental Health Counseling
• Nonprofit Management and Leadership
• Trauma and Crisis

Statement on Licensure
The Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed counseling professional.

Professional Accreditation
The Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). However, the program was developed to be in line with national standards for counselor education. Since Walden's Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision is a new program, the university is not yet able to apply for CACREP accreditation. Students will be notified at such time if the program becomes accredited in the future.

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Ph.D. in Human Services with a Specialization in Counseling

The Counseling specialization in the Ph.D. in Human Services program is designed to help you promote positive, health-oriented growth and change in today's diverse communities. By learning and applying developmental counseling theories, you'll be able to help others achieve greater psychological, social, academic, vocational and ethical development. The online degree format, developed by Walden University, is convenient and thorough.

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Ph.D. in Psychology

Becoming an agent of change in your community requires an ability to integrate theory, research and scientific inquiry into practice. Specializations include Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology, and these courses of study can prepare you for a career as a licensed psychologist or counselor.

Note on licensure:
The Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology specializations in the Psychology Ph.D. program are designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for psychology licensing exams. These specializations are designed to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state psychology boards. The Clinical and Counseling specializations are not accredited by the American Psychological Association and have not received designation by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register. These are requirements for licensure in some states. Because Walden cannot guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements and visit the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards Web site. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body.

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Master of Science (M.S.) in Career Counseling

Help others reach their professional potential by earning your M.S. in Career Counseling at Walden University. Learn to assess strengths, identify passions, and guide individuals toward career satisfaction. Gain experience with traditional counseling techniques and discover strategies and techniques to address the needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds. One of the only degrees of its kind available online, the M.S. in Career Counseling is designed according to national standards and helps prepare you to work as a counselor or specialist in a variety of settings.

Specialization

• General

Note on Licensure
Walden University’s M.S. in Career Counseling is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in some states. While some employers may require licensure as a condition of employment, others may require the applicant be eligible for licensure. The M.S. in Career Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for the National Counselor examination and to meet the academic licensure requirements of some state counseling boards. Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we require students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements for licensure for practice. Walden enrollment advisors can provide guidance on licensure issues; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure or endorsement. For more information about licensure, students should visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at http://www.nbcc.org/StateLicensure and contact the appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body.

Professional Accreditation
The M.S. in Career Counseling is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). However, the program was developed to be in line with national standards for career counseling education. Since Walden’s M.S. in Career Counseling is a new program, the university is not yet able to apply for CACREP accreditation. Students will be notified if the program becomes accredited in the future.

M.S. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling

Through Walden’s M.S. in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling program, you can:

• Prepare to work with families to address a range of issues, including the impact of crises, disasters, and other trauma-causing events as well as family conflicts that must be resolved in the criminal justice system.
• Discover the roles and functions of marriage, couple, and family counselors in a variety of settings to gain an understanding of the cross-cultural competencies and skills required to understand family structures, life-cycle dynamics, intergenerational influences, and healthy family functioning.
• Prepare to advance your career and, depending on the state in which you intend to practice, pursue the appropriate credentials that could qualify you to become a licensed marriage and family therapist or a licensed professional counselor with a specialization in marriage, couple, and family counseling.*
• Study with well-respected educators and/or active professionals in the field who integrate their research and clinical experience into the classroom.
• Create an electronic portfolio of your work that can be shared with potential employers.
• Observe best practices and diverse counseling styles in real-world situations through Walden’s Virtual Field Experience™.
• Develop a social change project that can have a direct impact on the lives of children and families who may not have access to mental health services.

Specializations

• Forensic Counseling
• Trauma and Crisis Counseling

* Licensing regulations vary from state to state. Walden University cannot guarantee professional licensure. See Note on Licensure.

Note on licensure:
Walden University’s M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE), specialized accrediting bodies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in some states. The M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements. Walden enrollment advisors can provide guidance on licensure issues; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure or endorsement. For more information about licensure, students should visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at www.nbcc.org/stateboardmap and contact the appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body.

Professional Accreditation
The M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). However, the program was developed to be in line with national standards for marriage, couple, and family counseling. Since Walden’s M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling is a new program, the university is not yet able to apply for CACREP or COAMFTE accreditation. Students will be notified at such time if the program becomes accredited in the future.

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M.S. in Mental Health Counseling

Through a mix of research, practical application, and coursework, Walden’s CACREP-accredited M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program can prepare you to integrate knowledge and skills into a career as a successful professional counselor. Developed by leading experts in the field, the CACREP-accredited M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program is designed to meet the high standards set by CACREP and to provide continuity throughout your learning experience, with each course building upon key experiences.

Specialization (in addition to the General Program)

• Forensic Counseling
• Trauma and Crisis Counseling

Note on licensure:
Walden University’s M.S. in Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. The M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Because Walden cannot guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements and visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at www.nbcc.org/stateboardmap and the American Association of State Counseling Boards at www.aascb.org. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body.

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