西雅图城市大学

Program Overview

At CityU of Seattle, you’ll complete your Master of Arts in Counseling in a cohort, or start-to-finish learning group. Most learning takes place during face-to-face, in-class sessions. Online learning is used to facilitate in-class sessions. You can opt for a two-year intensive, full-time program or a three-year program that caters more to working professionals. A majority of coursework focuses on hands-on, clinical mental health skills, so you can start seeing clients and making a difference. The CACREP-accredited Master of Arts in Counseling program will prepare you to work as a counselor in a range of settings. Four tracks are offered so you can choose the path that is right for you:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Addiction Counseling – Meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a Chemical Dependency Professional (CDP)
• Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling – Meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Professional School Counseling – Meets the educational requirements for the School Counselor K-12 credential in Washington State (This track is not yet CACREP accredited)

Learning Outcomes

Throughout the master’s degree in counseling program, you’ll learn to:

• Apply essential counseling skills derived from a credible knowledge base that encompasses diverse theoretical perspectives
• Recognize and apply professional ethical standards including clear and appropriate relationships with clients, colleagues, and the community
• Articulate and apply a range of theoretical approaches in your practice
• Recognize and positively influence intrapersonal and interpersonal dynamics in counseling with individuals, groups, couples, and families
• Refine and strengthen your skills to collaborate with people of diverse ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic status
• Establish a commitment to professional development through continuing education, clinical supervision, self-reflection, and consultation with peers
• Produce written communication that meets professional standards
• Locate and critically evaluate research related to core areas of counseling practice
• Demonstrate an understanding of the role of counselors in promoting social justice and the well-being of the greater community

Career Opportunities

When you complete the master’s in mental health counseling program or the master’s in marriage, couple, and family counseling program, you will be qualified to apply for a Washington state associate license and work toward your Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Certification. You’ll be qualified and trained to work in a variety of mental health settings, including:

• Nonprofit counseling agencies
• Private counseling practices
• Managed care organizations
• Correctional institutions
• Residential care facilities
• Hospitals

All four emphases in this master’s in counseling degree program include core knowledge courses such as research, theory, human development, and ethics. Courses cover a broad range of issues to prepare you for real client work, which may include:

• Counseling and assessments
• Trauma and violence counseling
• Grief and loss counseling
• Addiction counseling
• Psychopathology
• Psychopharmacology
• Brief therapy
• Group counseling
• Family therapy
• Couples therapy