MS in Counseling: Master of Science Degree in Counseling

Mission Statement for the Counseling Program:

Our mission is to prepare effective and socially just Clinical Mental Health and School counselors by integrating research, evidence-informed, culturally responsive and ethically sound practical frameworks to produce counselors who can foster the growth, development, and well-being of clients and K-12 students in an interconnected global society.

We are committed to cultivating student professional development by:

• Developing Dispositions – Nurturing self-aware, reflective practitioners who embody cultural humility, empathy, and a commitment to equity.
• Advancing Social Justice – Promoting advocacy, inclusivity, and systemic change to address disparities in mental health and education.
• Integrating Research & Practice – Utilizing evidence-informed strategies to empower individuals and communities through effective counseling interventions.
• Fostering Community Engagement – Partnering with local and global stakeholders to create sustainable, culturally responsive support systems.
• Expanding Global Outreach – Engaging in cross-cultural counseling, international collaborations, and initiatives that enhance mental health access worldwide.
• Building Collaborative Partnerships – Working with schools, organizations, and policymakers to strengthen mental health and educational ecosystems.
• Enhancing Cross-Cultural Understanding – Preparing counselors to navigate diverse identities, traditions, and worldviews with competence and respect.

Vision

Through these efforts, we strive to empower individuals, transform communities, and contribute to a more just and equitable world—one where every person has the opportunity to thrive.

1. Graduates will prioritize and execute 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.
2. Graduates will prioritize and execute the skills and competencies to serve as advocates and leaders in educational and/or mental health settings that value and commit to social justice principles, multiculturalism, human dignity and the worth of all students/clients from culturally diverse backgrounds
3. Graduates will prioritize and execute the skills and competencies to assess needs, develop goals, and counsel students/clients in educational and/or mental health settings from culturally diverse backgrounds.
4. Graduates will prioritize and execute the skills and competencies that reflect the knowledge, roles, and functions of the school and/or mental health counselor.
5. Graduates will prioritize and execute the skills and competencies to effectively facilitate group work with students/clients from diverse backgrounds in educational and mental health settings.
6. Graduates will prioritize and execute the skills and competencies to develop equitable, data-driven, comprehensive school counseling programs that meet the unique needs of K-12 student populations in educational settings.
   1. * For the school counseling track only
7. Graduates will prioritize and execute the skills and competencies to develop, apply, and evaluate evidence-based and data-driven practices that meet the developmental needs of students/clients from diverse backgrounds in educational and mental health settings.
8. Graduates will prioritize and execute the skills and competencies to work ethically, legally, and professionally in educational and/or mental health settings