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Mental Health Counseling (M.S.)

Program Description

The Mental Health Counseling Program is designed so that it may serve as a terminal degree or as a foundation for prospective doctoral students. Many graduates from this program establish private practices or work in various mental health centers, community agencies, and hospitals. The program consists of sixty semester hours of course work including a one semester internship. The program meets educational requirements for licensure by the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling, and is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Student Learner Outcomes

  1. Graduates of the program will have knowledge of a variety of counseling theories & therapeutic techniques and be able to demonstrate their appropriate use with various populations.
  2. Graduates of the program will have gained sufficient knowledge of ethical and professional standards of care to effectively engage in a therapeutic relationship within a counseling setting.
  3. Graduates of the program will have received adequate training to enable them to become Licensed Professional Counselors in the state of Arkansas.
  4. Graduates of the program will successfully enter the mental health profession.

Prospective Students

  • Deadline for application to the Department of Psychology & Counseling is February 1 annually. Late applications may be considered if all positions are not filled. 
  • Application to the UCA Graduate School – at least three weeks before department application deadline:
    • Online application and fee payment
    • Scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) – general test
    • Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework
      • Mental Health Counseling Program Application
      • Three (3) letters of recommendation from professional references qualified to comment on your academic and professional potential
      • Personal Statement
        • 400-500 word statement of applicant’s interest in counseling, how UCA’s program fits one’s goals, and career aspirations (double-spaced, 12 pt. font).
      • Prerequisite coursework (any outstanding prerequisite coursework must be completed before starting classes in the program):
        • General Psychology
        • Psychological Statistics
        • Research Methods
        • Abnormal Psychology
        • Theories of Personality
      • On-campus interviews are required for applicants and will be conducted after the February 1 application deadline. However, telephone or Skype interviews may be arranged depending on circumstances.
      • Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check
  • Students accepted into the program in the fall semester.
  • Before the application can be processed, the applicant must submit a background check at the following link:
  • Mental Health Counseling Course Sequence
  • Tuition and Financial Aid
  • Diversity
  • Careers in Counseling

Current Students

Program Faculty