Master of Science in Counseling
Mission Statement
The mission of the Master’s Counseling Program at Barry University is to provide education and training in clinical assessment, leadership, and counseling practice. Consistent with this mission is the goal of graduating ethical professionals with expert knowledge and skills in counseling practice. The Counseling Program espouses the four core values set forth in the mission of the Adrian Dominican School of Education, Leadership and Human Development and Barry University: knowledge and truth, inclusive community, social justice, and collaborative service. Our Program is a community of learners in which the study, development, and improvement of effective practice is promoted through scholarly and critical analysis. The Program fosters an inclusive academic atmosphere that encourages collaboration, respect, and sharing of ideas. In keeping with the importance of diversity and multiculturalism, the Program expects students to accept social responsibility and place value on the function of social justice in the curriculum and society. The Program is also committed to offering services to communities for various human, social, economic, and environmental problems.
Program Goals
- Develop the knowledge of counseling theories and the respective skills and techniques, and their application in counseling relationships with individuals, couples, families, and groups within a variety of practice settings and contexts in a multicultural society;
- Develop the knowledge and skills to interpret the results of clinical assessments, evaluate professional research, and apply to counseling practice;
- Develop a counselor professional identity, adhere to ethical counseling practice, and promote social justice, advocacy, and wellness; and
- Develop knowledge of social and cultural diversity, advocacy, human growth and development, career development, and group work and to apply this knowledge to the counseling process.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization Student Learner Outcomes
- Describe historical perspectives and development of the clinical mental health counseling specialty;
- Apply knowledge and skills to provide counseling in a clinical mental health setting or agency;
- Distinguish the specific roles and functions of the clinical mental health counselor;
- Apply the knowledge and skills necessary to function as part of a multi-disciplinary clinical mental health team in a community agency, with other mental health service providers;
- Develop a knowledge and understanding of psychopathology and psychopharmacological medications as applied to mental health counseling; and
- Apply ethical, legal, and professional considerations related to the practice of clinical mental health counseling.
Marital, Couples, and Family Counseling Specialization Student Learner Outcomes
- Describe historical perspectives and development of marital, couple, and family counseling as a specialization;
- Distinguish the specific roles and functions of marital, couples, and family counselors;
- Classify influences of culture, family life cycle, diversity, and societal trends on the practice of marital, couples, and family counseling;
- Apply a systemic perspective to client behaviors and the processes of problem-formation, problem-maintenance, and problem-resolution;
- Define the major and emerging models and theories of marital, couples, and family counseling; and
- Develop skills in marital, couples, and family counseling interviewing, assessment, and intervention.
School Counseling Specialization Student Learner Outcomes
- Develop knowledge, skills, and practices necessary to provide counseling and developmental guidance activities that promote academic, career, and personal/social development of all K–12 students;
- Apply knowledge and skills of comprehensive developmental guidance programs in a K–12 school setting;
- Distinguish the specific roles and functions of the school counselor;
- Demonstrate knowledge of legal and ethical standards relevant to school counseling;
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to consult with teachers, administrators, parents, and other professionals within the school setting; and
- Apply appropriate processes and technology in comprehensive counseling program development, implementation, and evaluation that include counseling, prevention, intervention, diversity, and advocacy.
Prerequisites for Clinical Experience Classes
For the Master of Science in Counseling degree program, attainment of a minimum grade of “B” or higher in CSL-694 is a prerequisite of CSL-693, CSL-695 or, CSL-696.
Program Outline
All counseling specializations require completion of 42 semester hours of core courses plus the stated required courses for each specialization:
Note:
Each counseling program area of specialty (i.e., “marital, couples, and family counseling,” “clinical mental health counseling,” and “school counseling”) requires completion of a clinical field experience—consisting of a practicum course (CSL-694), followed by an internship experience (CSL-693, CSL-695, or CSL-696),—in a clinical setting appropriate to the student’s area of specialization. A Lab Fee and Insurance Fee are assessed for practicum and internship courses.
***Any student who earns an IP in Practicum or Internship must be enrolled in CSL-700 during subsequent semesters until hours are complete.
Master of Science in Counseling Core Requirements
Required Core Courses (45 credits)
Note:
CSL-501, CSL-600, CSL-610, CSL-652, CSL-680, and CSL-686 should be taken in the first year of the student’s program of study.
EDR-601 must be taken after at least 6 credit hours but within the first 18 credit hours
Areas of Specialization
The counseling specializations require the following:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization (15 credits)
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialty provides the coursework necessary for functioning as a clinical mental health counselor in applied settings and addresses the academic requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor in the State of Florida, and many other states.
Specialization Courses (15 credits)
| CSL-569 | PSY:DIAG&TREAT IN CSL | 3 |
| CSL-589 | FOUNDTNS CLINICAL MENTAL HLTH COUNS | 3 |
| CSL-650 | HUMAN SEXUALITY | 3 |
| CSL-695 | CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNCELING INTER COUNSELING | 6 |
Marital, Couples, and Family Counseling Specialization (18 credits)
The Marital, Couples, and Family Counseling specialty provides the coursework necessary for meeting licensure academic requirements as a marriage and family therapist in the State of Florida, and most other states, and also as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in many states. The curriculum focuses on brief, relational-systemic perspectives for understanding and working with couples and families.
Specialization Courses (18 credits)
| CSL-569 | PSY:DIAG&TREAT IN CSL | 3 |
| CSL-650 | HUMAN SEXUALITY | 3 |
| CSL-687 | MARRIAGE&FAMILY SYSTEMS | 3 |
| CSL-690 | COUPLES COU FAMI LIFE CYCLE | 3 |
| CSL-696 | COUPLES, MARRIAGE, AND FAMILY COUNSELIN INTERNSHIP | 6 |
School Counseling Specialization (18 credits)
The School Counseling specialization program in counselling meets the academic requirements for provisional certification as a school counselor in the State of Florida.
Specialization Courses (15 credits)
| CSL-586 | ORGANIZATION ADM SCHOOL COUNS PROGRAMS | 3 |
| CSL-613 | CSL CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS | 3 |
| CSL-682 | FAMILY SCHOOL COLLABORATION & CONSULTAT | 3 |
| CSL-693 | SCHOOL COUNSELING INTERNSHIP | 6 |
Students in all specializations must pass comprehensive examinations.
Additional Specializations and Licensure/Certification Information
A student may complete more than one area of specialization by completing all program specialization courses, practicum, and an internship in each specialization. Only students who have completed the licensure/certification requirements for a given specialization will be endorsed for employment in that area. It is the sole responsibility of the student to comply with the requirements for licensure in the State of Florida (and other states, as appropriate) and to keep up to date with any changes in licensure and/or certification requirements that may take effect during their program of study.
Course Times
The majority of course class sections are offered in 4:00–7:00 p.m. and 7:00–10:00 p.m. time slots (Monday—Thursday). Asynchronous fully-online courses (designated "OLC" on the MS in Counseling course rotation) and online courses with some synchronous sessions (designated "HYB" on the MS in Counseling course rotation) are also offered.
Classes offered in the Bahamas cohort are typically taught in an intensive weekend format—every other weekend—over an eight-week term. Summer classes typically meet twice per week for 3.5 hours over two (2) six-week terms. Students are encouraged to take at least 18 credits per year in order to facilitate completion of the program in a timely fashion.
Additional Information and Admission Requirements
A personal interview may be required of students seeking the M.S. in Counseling degree program. Criminal background checks, including fingerprinting, are required of all students in the School Counseling Specialization prior to commencement of practicum and internship field experiences. Criminal background checks, including fingerprinting, are typically required of students in all other specializations who are working with minor children in any capacity. At the Program’s discretion, criminal background checks, including fingerprinting, may be required.
Additional Requirements: Professional Standards for Matriculation and Graduation
All students are expected to uphold personal and professional ethical standards and practices both inside and outside of the classroom. Adherence to such personal and professional ethical standards is an intrinsic and essential component of the professional standards of the counseling field. All students must adhere to the “Ethical and Professional Standards” of the American Counseling Association, including, but not limited to, the ACA Code of Ethics (2014).
Professional liability insurance coverage is required during enrollment in the clinical components of the Counseling Program. Please note: Student membership in the American Counseling Association currently provides professional liability insurance. ACA membership information may be found at www.counseling.org.
The Counseling faculty has a responsibility to society and to the profession to matriculate and graduate only ethical and competent counseling professionals. Therefore, the following professional standards are required for matriculation and graduation from the Counseling Program:
- The student must be able to participate in oral demonstrations, presentations, and role-plays of counseling situations and be video-recorded for the purposes of developing skills and receiving supervisory feedback;
- Because counseling professionals must be able to respond immediately in counseling and crisis situations, the student must be able to participate in role-plays or other practice simulations as a counselor without advance knowledge of the scenario or preparation for the role-play;
- The student must be able to conduct a counseling session with actual clients under live or video-recorded -supervision;
- The student must be able to participate in reflecting team processes during live clinical supervision;
- The student must be able to communicate and interact respectfully and sensitively with clients;
- The student must be able to communicate effectively in oral and in written form with all referral sources, (e.g., court and community agencies);
- The student must be able to communicate effectively in oral and in written form with all members of a mental health care team; and
- The student must possess the emotional and mental health needed for the full use of one’s intellect, perception, and sound judgment; such emotional and mental health is required for the efficient completion of all responsibilities related to the diagnosis, treatment, and referral of clients and to the communication with others in the mental health care network.
The Counseling faculty reserves the right to refer a student to a qualified mental health professional for consultation, assessment, and treatment as may be warranted, as a condition of continuation in the Counseling Program. Graduation from the program is recommended when students are determined by the School of Education to be personally, academically, and clinically ready for entry into the counseling profession.
Student Counseling Organizations
The Barry University Counseling Program sponsors and supports one (1) student counseling organization. The Beta Upsilon Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota (BU-CSI) is a professional, students and alumni association offering educational and social experiences. The Beta Upsilon chapter of Chi Sigma Iota is an award-winning international honor society of counseling professionals dedicated to excellence in leadership, scholarship, research, and clinical practice.