Counseling, Master of Science

The Master of Science (MS) in Counseling degree prepares individuals to be leaders and advocates in the fields of clinical mental health and school counseling. The program follows a nationally recognized, evidence-based curriculum aligned with national and state standards. The program is led by distinguished faculty and boasts a strong support network of school districts and mental health settings. The program’s content includes: professional orientation and ethical practice, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, career development, helping relationships, group work, assessment, and research/program evaluation. Students learn through didactic experiences, small group projects, and applied learning at community- or school-based sites. The Master of Science in Counseling degree program, with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling, is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Students specialize in one of two concentrations:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• School Counseling

Students have a maximum of five years to complete the program, but are strongly encouraged to follow the prescribed program of study.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling prepares students to work in a wide range of clinical, community, and human service settings. Upon graduation, candidates gain the knowledge, skills, and academic requirements necessary to begin the licensure process in Maryland and many other states. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).  Although the School of Education permits five years for program completion, there are full-time and part-time Clinical Mental Health Counseling sequences. Completion of a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship are required in this program. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

School Counseling

The School Counseling concentration prepares students to work in K-12 schools with an emphasis in urban school settings. The program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), and graduates are eligible for MSDE certification as school counselors. Students have a maximum of five years to complete the program but are strongly encouraged to follow the prescribed program of study.  The School Counseling concentration is also accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Completion of a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship are required in this program.

Admissions Requirements

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in all previous undergraduate and graduate studies (including incomplete programs of study and for programs still in progress). Applicants must submit an application, official transcripts from all accredited post-secondary institutions attended, a résumé or curriculum vitae, an essay, and two letters of recommendation. The content of the essay should address why the candidate wants to be a counselor, the type of contributions the candidate would want to make to the clinical mental health field, a discussion of how the candidate’s background and professional experiences may support and/or constrain their becoming an effective counselor, and an exploration of how the candidate’s experiences regarding human diversity, volunteerism, travel and/or work have impacted their desire to be a counselor. Selected qualified applicants will be invited to participate in a group admission interview.

School Counseling (Flexible Program)

Applicants to the program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in all previous undergraduate and graduate studies (including incomplete programs of study and for programs still in progress). Applicants must submit an application, official transcripts from all accredited post-secondary institutions attended, a résumé or curriculum vitae, a personal statement of goals, and two letters of recommendation. Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in a group admission interview.

Program Requirements

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The program’s plan of study requires 60 graduate credits to be completed through full-time or part-time matriculation and students must successfully pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) prior to or during the last semester of their graduate program. With the approval of the program adviser, a student may transfer a maximum of six graduate credits from an accredited college or university if the course directly aligns to the student’s degree requirements and is taken within the five-year time limit. Completion of a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship are required in this program.

For a complete list of program plan requirements, please visit:  https://education.jhu.edu/academics/ms_counseling/#programplan

School Counseling

The program’s plan of study requires 60 graduate credits to be completed through full-time or part-time matriculation and students must successfully pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) prior to or during the last semester of their graduate program. This degree program has the flexibility that allows students to meet the requirements to be school counselors, as well as coursework toward licensure as a clinical mental health counselor. The Counseling program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). 

With the approval of a faculty adviser, a student may transfer a maximum of six graduate credits from an accredited college or university if the course is directly applicable to the student’s program. Completion of a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship are required in this program.

For a complete list of program plan requirements, please visit:  https://education.jhu.edu/academics/ms_counseling/#programplan

Master of Science in Counseling

Mission Statement

The mission of the Johns Hopkins School of Education Counseling Program is to prepare graduate students to serve as socially just school counselors and clinical mental health counselors who implement theoretical, empirical, and practical frameworks that facilitate client growth and development, introspective awareness, and well-being in a global society.

Programmatic Goals

• Facilitate students’ mastery of requisite knowledge, skills, and dispositions aligned with CACREP Standards to deliver counseling services that embody social justice principles, advocacy, multiculturalism, and upholds the worth and human dignity of all clients from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Support and encourage students to incorporate a developmental approach to promote client wellness across the life span.
• Facilitate students’ development of dispositions to serve as social justice advocates and leaders in the profession.
• Cultivate a collaborative learning atmosphere that incorporates cutting edge research and excellent didactic and experiential instruction.

Program Objectives

• PO1 Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to incorporate a developmental approach to promote student/client holistic well-being across the life span, inclusive of mental health, academic, social/emotional, cultural, and career goals. (CACREP F.3 Human Growth & Development, F.4 Career Development)
• PO2 Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to serve as advocates and leaders in educational and/or mental health settings that value social justice principles, multiculturalism, human dignity and the worth of all clients from culturally diverse backgrounds (CACREP F.2 Social & Cultural Diversity; 5.G. School Counseling)
• PO3 Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to assess needs, develop goals, and counsel students/clients in educational and/or mental health settings from culturally diverse backgrounds. (CACREP F.5 Counseling & Helping Relationships; F.7 Assessment & Testing)

• PO4 Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies that reflect the knowledge, roles, and functions of the school and/or mental health counselor. (CACREP 5.C. Clinical Mental Health Counseling; 5.G. School Counseling)
• PO5 Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to effectively facilitate group work with students/clients from diverse backgrounds in educational and mental health settings (CACREP F.6 Group Counseling & Group Work)
• PO6 Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to develop equitable data-driven school counseling programs that meet the unique needs of student populations in educational settings. (CACREP F.8 Research & Program Evaluation; 5.G. School Counseling)
• PO7 Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to develop, apply, and evaluate evidence-based practices that meet the developmental needs of students/clients from diverse backgrounds in educational and mental health settings. (CACREP F.8 Research and Program Evaluation; 5.G School Counseling; 5.C. Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
• PO8 Graduates will demonstrate the skills and competencies to work ethically, legally, and professionally in educational and/or mental health settings (CACREP F.1. Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice)