Department of Counselor Education
Known for being northern New England's outstanding public regional comprehensive institution dedicated to providing undergraduate and graduate students with a high-quality affordable education, the University of Southern Maine is situated on a historic 142-acre urban campus in the picturesque town of Gorham just eight miles east of Portland. Home to more than 9,300 students in over 115 areas of study, USM has been consecutively recognized as one of the "Best in the Northeast" by the prestigious Princeton Review. The Department of Counselor Education aims to prepare counselors for ethical practice to act as facilitators of change in the lives of individuals at all developmental levels.
Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Designed to allow graduate students to learn skills specifically related to treating clients facing acute mental health problems and developmental life issues, the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program integrates the historical, societal, philosophical, cultural, political, and economic dimensions of the human service system to develop professional identity as a mental health counselor. With a distinct focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders or psychological trauma, the program requires the completion of at least 63 credit hours. Students have the option to specialize their studies with an area of expertise in Children, Family Systems, Creative Arts, Mind-Body Approaches, Human Sexuality, Spirituality, or College Mental Health.
Master of Science (M.S.) in School Counseling
Ideal for individuals who wish to become certified by the Maine Department of Education in the area of school guidance and counseling for working in elementary, middle, and secondary schools throughout the state, the Master of Science in School Counseling program consists of a seamless blend of interactive face-to-face classroom learning with supervised training experience. Requiring the completion of a minimum of 60 credits within two years full-time or three to four years part-time, the curriculum covers topics in research methods, career development, psychological measurement, multicultural counseling, group processes, school guidance programs, crisis intervention, and human development. At the culmination of the coursework, graduates must complete a full-time internship for at least 600 clock hours with an approved K-12 school setting.
Resource: Do I Need a Master's Degree to Be a School Counselor?
Accreditations
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact Information
Bailey Hall Room 400A
37 College Avenue
Gorham, ME 04038
(207) 780-5317
abaruch@usm.maine.edu