Information Sessions on M.A. in Mental Health Counseling to be held Oct. 17 and 28

by Susan Sullivan
October 10, 2013

Adults interested in learning about the Indiana University Master of Arts (MA) in Mental Health Counseling degree at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus are invited to attend one of two free information sessions in October.

The informal sessions will be held in the Columbus Learning Center, LC Room 1400, at 6 p.m. on:

  • Thursday, October 17
  • Monday, October 28

Participants will meet faculty and advisors, learning about the program and its curriculum, which is consistent with accreditation body guidelines and meets the criteria for preparing graduates for licensure as mental health counselors in the state of Indiana.

Attendees can ask questions about the application process, educational requirements for the degree, and the local and regional employment forecast for program graduates.

Features of the program include:

  • Affordable, generalist training with an emphasis on strength-based approach to mental health and wellness
  • Small, interactive classrooms
  • Diverse selection of clinical settings for practicum and internship

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the occupational outlook for counselors with master’s degrees is expected to grow faster than average compared with other occupations. Overall employment is expected to grow by 18 percent through 2018, with job openings for those who specialize in substance abuse and behavioral disorders expected to grow by 21 percent.

Although growth in the field varies by specialty, job openings are expected to exceed the number of graduates, especially in rural areas like south central Indiana.

To be admitted to the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, at least 15 undergraduate course credits in psychology or behavioral science on their academic transcripts, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.

Courses for the program are sequenced so that students can complete the degree in two to three years. In addition to the courses, students complete a 100-hour practicum, 600-hour internship, and a 300-hour advanced internship with 100 hours of personal supervision to meet the state’s licensure requirements.

The mental health master’s degree is the university’s newest graduate program. It has offered Indiana University Master of Business Administration (MBA) degrees for several years.

For complete details about admission criteria for the MA in Mental Health Counseling degree, visit iupuc.edu/mental-health/admission or call 317.348.7390.