Community Counseling Program

Community Counselor Specialization

Program Requirements:

Must complete all current requirements for graduation from the MSU Master of Arts Counseling Program
Must complete a practicum of 100 hours that includes a minimum of 50 supervised direct contact hours in a community agency setting where counseling services are delivered. Practicum must occur under the supervision of a fully licensed mental health practitioner who works on site.
Must complete an internship of 600 hours that includes the required direct contact hours for graduation (240). This must be completed in either an agency or non-K-12 educational setting (i.e., community college or college/university setting). Internship must occur under the supervision of a fully licensed mental health practitioner who works on site. (See “Practicum and Internship” section.)
Must enroll in faculty-approved electives that will enhance preparation for work in community or non-K-12 educational settings.
Successful Completion of the National Counselor Examination (NCE).
Must submit the University Procedures on Felony Convictions and Teacher Certifications Program form. (See Appendix C) If there are questions about your legal eligibility, we recommend that the initiation of a personal background check through the College of Education immediately after enrollment and periodically throughout enrollment if you are convicted of a felonious act. Attending to this critical issue is the sole responsibility of the admitted student.
2000 hours of post-graduation practice under the supervision of a License professional Counselor (LPC).

Following completion of the master’s degree requirements, all students, regardless of selected specialization, are strongly encouraged to immediately apply for Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC) status. This is very important given that some states and schools give hiring advantages to counselors who are also licensed as professional counselors (LPCs). This process will require submission of a personal criminal background check. If you have any questions about your legal eligibility, contact the Board of Counseling (517-335-0918). Inquiries about charges of professional misconduct of any kind in the State of Michigan or elsewhere will be a part of the process. Both criminal and professional ethical code violations can affect eligibility for licensure. Please be prepared to provide an explanation in either case.

Upon approval of this application, during a two year time period, the LLPC must work (3000 hours) under the direct supervision of a fully licensed counselor. After the national counseling examination has been passed and supervisor recommendation completed, the LLPC becomes a fully Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Community Counseling Specialty Required Coursework

CEP 801 Learning Differences & Commonalities related to Counseling	3 credits
CEP 821 Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling & Development	3 credits
CEP 860A Perspectives in Multicultural Counseling	3 credits
CEP 861 Counseling Theories, Philosophy, and Ethics	3 credits
CEP 862 Counseling: Individual and Group Processes	3 credits
CEP XXX Group Experience*	1 credit
CEP 863 Counseling Strategies and Consultation	3 credits
CEP 864 Career Counseling	3 credits
CEP 865 Assessment in Counseling	3 credits
CEP 894C Counseling Practicum	6 credits
CEP 893C Counseling Internship	9 credits
Total:	40 credits

In addition to the 40 credits noted above, students who commit to the Community Counseling track must select an additional 3 courses (9 credits) from the following selected faculty-approved community counseling specialty courses below.

Select two courses from Domain 1 (6 credits):

Counseling and Educational Psychology & Special Education (CEPSE)

CEP 870                      Stress Management
CEP 875                      Substance Abuse and Treatment
CEP 885                      Behavior Disorders in Children
CEP 866                      Psycho-educational Interventions for Children & Youth
PSY 834                      Interpersonal Behavior and Relationships
PSY 854                      Behavior Disorders in Childhood and Family
EAD 873                     College Students’ Experience

Select one course Domain 2 (3 credits):

FCE 801                      Family Ecosystems
FCE 812                      Adolescents in the Family
FCE 814                      Parenthood & Parent Education
FCE 842                      Foundations of Family Study
FCE 845                      Foundations of Family Study
FCE 847                      Theory of Family
FCE 848                      Divorce and Remarriage Intervention

Students may propose substitute courses for those listed in the domains above, however, all proposals must be submitted to and approved by faculty prior to including on the program plan and enrollment. Total number of credits required for degree completion for Community Counseling specialty is 49 credits.

Students who wish to develop 60-credit program plans for either School or Community Counseling specialties in anticipation of post-graduation work in states that have this requirement for licensure, can do so by selecting eleven credits of program-approved electives that are comparable to those required in the state in which they intend to reside. It is each student’s responsibility to identify the standards of practice and policies for state licensure.