Graduate Programs Clinical Counseling
Clinical Counseling
MS - Clinical Counseling
Our program prepares you to be a clinical counselor who provides individual and group therapy in a variety of settings including substance abuse, crisis intervention, marriage and family, children and adolescents, veterans and career counseling.
We have a long tradition of leadership and excellence within the counseling profession. We are at the forefront of meeting the future challenges in the mental health counseling profession as well as satisfying the criteria for certification and licensure.
The Emporia State clinical counseling program was the first mental health program in Kansas accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and is currently one of only three CACREP accredited clinical mental health programs in Kansas.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a clinical counselor?
The American Mental Health Counselors Association (2013) describes clinical mental health counselors as "…highly-skilled professionals who provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy [and] combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical, problem-solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution."
- How stable is a career in mental health counseling?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2012-2013) reported that the need for mental health counselors was expected to grow faster than average from 2010 to 2020 at a pace of 36% nationally and 38% in the state of Kansas. Mental health counselors are now licensed by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This growth is expected to increase as the profession increases its advocacy efforts to obtain Medicare reimbursement and full access to the Veteran’s Administration training programs and treatment facilities as well as the training of mental health counselors worldwide.
- How much money can a professional clinical counselor earn?
Although wage data regarding all mental health counselors is unavailable and varies depending upon area of specialty and work setting, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2012-2013) provides general data regarding the annual salary ranges for mental health counselors. In 2012, the median annual salary for mental health counselors in the United States was $40,080 with a range of $25,400 to $66,600. In Kansas, the annual salary of mental health counselors ranged from $26,500 to $53,100 with a median of $36,900. According to a study conducted by Psychotherapy Finances (as cited by the American Mental Health Counselors Association, 2013), the median cost per session for clinical mental health counselors was $63, compared to a median cost of $75 for psychologists, and $60 for clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists.
- What will I be able to do?
Although the practice privileges of mental health counselors vary by state to state, nationalized training standards allow mental health counselors to provide a full range of services including: assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders according to the current edition of the DSM and ICD; individual, group, and family counseling and psychotherapy; treatment planning and utilization review; create and facilitate psycho-educational and prevention programs; crisis management; and consultation.
- Where can I practice?
Clinical counselors practice in a variety of settings with diverse populations. They can be specialist or generalist practitioners in private practice, community agencies, managed behavioral health care organizations, integrated delivery systems, hospitals, employee assistance programs, and substance abuse treatment centers.
- Is this program accredited?
This program is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) since 1996. For verification of accreditation status, please check the CACREP directory at https://www.cacrep.org/directory/.
- How much does it cost to get a master’s degree in clinical counseling from ESU?
The nationally-recognized Teachers College at ESU has reasonable graduate tuition rates. For an overall program cost estimate, please review ESU's Graduate School Tuition and Fees.
Explore our Programs
Clinical Counseling, Clinical Addictions Counseling Concentration
Concentration, Master of Science
Clinical Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration
Concentration, Master of Science
Clinical Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Concentration
Concentration, Master of Science
Art Therapy and Clinical Counseling, Dual Curriculum
Master of Science
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Autism Spectrum Disorder Concentration
Concentration, Master of Science
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Concentration — Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Concentration, Master of Science
Mission + Objectives
The mission of the Clinical Counseling program at Emporia State University is to develop competent, compassionate counselors. This program aims to use evidence based practices to prepare lifelong learners who appreciate diverse experiences, practice self-reflection, and promote the wellness of diverse individuals and systems.
The field of counseling offers exciting and rapidly growing career opportunities, with a variety of specialty areas available for professional practice. The Clinical Counseling program at Emporia State University offers flexibility in preparing candidates, with courses online and at the Emporia campus.
The Clinical Counseling program offers a 60 credit hour curriculum, which meets educational standards as set forth by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP). Clinical Counseling graduates are eligible to apply for several national-level certifications and for professional licensing in Kansas. Depending on which concentration graduates have completed, they typically apply to become NAADAC-certified addiction counselors, the NBCC-nationally certified counselors and/or certified mental health counselors, and/or CRCC-certified rehabilitation counselors.
Degree candidates integrate classic and contemporary counseling theories to establish a professional foundation based on their own worldviews, applying theory and techniques tailored specifically to meet each client’s worldviews. Candidates develop general counseling skills such as establishing the counseling relationship; client needs assessment; substance use screening; individual and group therapy, crisis intervention and trauma care; career counseling; and program evaluation. Each candidate selects a counseling concentration to develop competencies for counseling with specific populations such as substance users; veterans; senior citizens, families, adolescents, and children; and persons experiencing intellectual, emotional, sensory, and/or physical disabilities.
Clinical Counseling candidates engage in 700 clock hours of practical experience in one or more counseling settings, including addiction, emergency shelter, residential, public, and private organizations. Candidates are encouraged to obtain practicum and internship sites suited to their chosen counseling concentration and career interests. Throughout these high-impact learning activities, candidates receive clinical supervision from licensed instructors on a weekly basis.
Admission + Graduation Requirements
From being admitted to the program through what is required for you to finish your degree, this is all the information you need.
Outcomes
Learn about our graduates, their board pass rates, and employment/placement information by reading our Clinical Counseling Outcomes.
Field Experience
As an intern, your field experiences are meant to be the culminating experience in your program. Learn more about the Field Experience.
Certificates, Licenses, Organizations, Employment
Information about the professions in this field, the organizations, and employment information.