Master of Science in Counseling

The mission of Thomas University’s CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Counseling is to create a dynamic learning environment that advances the intellectual and personal development goals of our students to work as professionals in the field of mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, professional school counseling and/or addiction counseling, and to train students to effectively advocate on behalf of the clients they serve.

The Master of  Science in Counseling (MSC) program accomplishes this through the following objectives:

• Faculty will provide rigorous and intellectually challenging studies that require creativity, discipline, and personal responsibility.
• Students will become competent in a variety of counseling areas, including but not limited to: theoretical foundations and techniques, ethical practice, case management, group work, crisis counseling, diagnostic procedures, cultural awareness and medical and psychosocial issues through the completion of 60-credit hours of coursework.
• Students will learn through classroom, practicum and internship, and community experience how to address the needs of persons with physical, mental, emotional, and psychological disabilities and chronic illness in a manner that is consistent with the program’s mission of advocacy and awareness.
• The MSC program will provide students with the curriculum content that abides by CACREP standards for state licensure as a professional counselor in all states, and students are eligible to sit for the NCE/NCMHCE and CRC as early as successful completion of 75% of program coursework. Students need to check that state requirements for licensure in the state in which they reside are completed prior to graduation.
• For students who previously graduated from a 48-credit hour program and are looking for additional coursework to apply for the CRC or state licensure, Thomas University offers a Bridge Program that can help non-degree seeking students to complete the academic requirements for these credentials. (See video on Bridge Program).
• CACREP is a recognized agency by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and holds full membership status with the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA), and the International Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). TU is accredited under the 2009 CACREP standards which are available for review here (Hyperlink in standards).
• Thomas University has been approved by the State of Georgia to participate in the National Council for State Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). NC-SARA is a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of post-secondary distance education and pertains to approval of distance education courses that are offered across state lines by institutions that already have degree authorization in at least one state. As a participant in NC-SARA, Thomas University can offer distance education to any other SARA state member.

Institutional Accreditation

Thomas University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s and education specialist degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Thomas University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033, by call 404-679-4500, or by using information available on the SACSOC website

Program Accreditation

Currently, the Master of Science in Counseling program is dually accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, with the Addiction track and Professional School Counseling track undergoing the accreditation process in 2022-2023.

The CACREP reaccreditation process is being actively pursued and a self-study was submitted in preparation for the site visit. This is a normal process, once every 8-years, for all CACREP accredited programs to ensure your quality education. We anticipate a CACREP reaccreditation in July 2023.

All specialization tracks offered in the MSC program will prepare students for licensure as a professional counselor. Each state has specific requirements for the licensed counselor designation, often known as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). TU’s Master of Science in Counseling program meets the educational requirements in all states, including clinical fieldwork hours. Prospective students are encouraged to review and understand the requirements of their respective state licensing agency prior to enrollment at TU. Please download the Counseling State Licensure List to obtain contact information for the licensing agency in your state. Several states also require additional state-specific workshops. For more information regarding additional state-specific workshops, please contact Dr. Cristina Jones.

Students applying to the Master of Science degree in Counseling program need to submit the following:

• Apply for Admission.
• Resume.
• Statement of Purpose outlining their personal and professional goals. This should be no more than two pages.
• Three letters of recommendations.
• Official transcript from the institution where your bachelor’s degree was awarded and transcripts of any graduate work.

You can order college transcripts from prior colleges at www.getmytranscript.com.

Send official transcripts to admissions@thomasu.edu.

or

Admissions Office
Thomas University
1501 Millpond Road
Thomasville, GA 31792

All documents can be emailed to admissions@thomasu.edu.

The Division of Social &  Behavioral Sciences offers an online Master of Science in Counseling (MSC)  Bridge Program for those who wish to pursue post-masters counseling licensure but hold a Master degree in Counseling with less than 60 credit hours or need additional graduate level coursework. The Bridge Program can be completed in one semester or over several semesters enabling the student to meet the 60-hour credit requirement in order to be licensure eligible for Professional Counselor (LPC) or Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). The following online courses are offered:

• Human Sexuality
• Human Growth and Development
• Psychopathology and the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
• Substance Abuse Counseling Methods
• Abnormal Behavior
• Psychopharmacology

For instructions on how to find out specific licensure requirements related to your state, refer to the following video where Dr. Pauline Patrick walks you through the steps.

Graduates of Thomas University’s Clinical Mental Health and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling degree program will be prepared to enter a variety of career environments based on the individual’s passion for helping people. Our graduates are competent in a full range of clinical areas including ethics, counseling theories and techniques and diagnosis to name a few.

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling

The Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling track prepares students to help people with physical, mental, developmental, intellectual and/or emotional disabilities live, work and thrive as independent, contributing members of society. Rehabilitation counselors work with clients with congenital or acquired disabilities achieve their personal, social, psychological and vocational goals by evaluating client strengths and minimizing environmental, social, and attitudinal barriers that interfere with independence.

Students in the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling specialization are eligible to pursue the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential, as well as licensure as a professional counselor (LPC/LMHC).

Clinical Rehabilitation Counselors are employed in a variety of settings including:

• Federal and State Government Agencies
• Brain and Spinal cord injury centers
• Rehabilitation hospitals
• Rehabilitation engineering agencies
• Assistive technology/prosthetics
• Vocational Assessment centers
• Career Centers
• Orientation and Mobility Training centers and more

For a full list of the curriculum required for this track, see the Course Tab.

Addiction Counseling Specialization

The Addiction Counseling track prepares students to support clients with drug and/or alcohol problems by teaching them how to modify their behavior and develop coping mechanisms, with the intention of full recovery. Due to the high incidence of relapse, addiction counselors often work with clients on an on-going basis by providing individual and group counseling. Since many clients with addiction issues also have a co-occurring mental health condition, students who pursue this track will be eligible for both the Certified Master Addiction Counselor credential and the professional counselor credential (LPC/LMHC).

Addiction Counselors are employed in a variety of settings including:

• In-patient treatment centers
• Out-patient treatment centers
• Individual and family services
• Hospitals
• Corrections
• State and local government agencies
• Support groups and more

For a full list of the curriculum required for this track, see the Course Tab.

Professional School Counseling Specialization

The Professional School Counseling track prepares students to work with PreK-12 school-aged children by helping them reach their academic, social, personal and career goals. School counselors advocate for students’ well-being by addressing issues such as bullying, depression, learning disabilities, poor academic performance and parental issues by developing a positive and realistic path to overall wellness. School counselors develop strategies with teachers, administrators and parents to help students succeed based on student need.

The Professional School Counseling track leads to certification as a school counselor, as well as licensure as a professional counselor (LPC/LMHC).

School counselors are employed in settings such as:

• Elementary schools
• Middle schools
• High schools
• Public schools
• Private schools
• Alternative schools

For a full list of the curriculum required for this track, see the Courses Tab.

Resources and Professional Organizations

• American Counseling Association
• American Rehabilitation Counseling Association
• American Mental Health Counseling Association
• Licensed Professional Counselors Association
• National Rehabilitation Association
• National Council for Rehabilitation Educators
• Careers in Vocational Rehabilitation
• National Clearinghouse for Rehabilitation Training Material
• World Institute on Disability
• National Council on Disability
• Rehabilitation Services Administration

CSI is an international honor society that values academic and professional excellence in counseling. By promoting a strong professional identity through members (professional counselors, counselor educators, and students), CSI contributes to the realization of a healthy society by fostering wellness and human dignity.

Founded at Ohio University in 1985, Chi Sigma Iota has over 96,000 members who have been initiated into the Society, and growing by over 6,000 new members per year. They are affiliated with campus-based chapters contributing to their counselor education programs and communities. Chapters are supported at least in part by funding from CSI.

One of the largest associations of professional counselors in the world, CSI’s annual active membership is equally balanced between professional and student members. Among the professional members, over 1,600 are counselor educators and supervisors while the remainder are practicing counselors in all settings and specialties of counseling. CSI activities occur primarily through our active chapters located in counselor education programs in five regions in the United States and in counselor training programs beyond U.S. borders.

Thomas University’s Chi Sigma Iota

Thomas University founded the first “Rehabilitation Counseling” chapter in the Honor Society’s history, and we are proud of our Chi Sigma Iota chapter, “Rho Chi Sigma.” Over the years, we have expanded our chapter to incorporate an annual plan that includes advocacy for multiple local charities. We provide outreach to various local communities and offer students the chance to be active members of our chapter through leadership and participation efforts to spread the efforts of the counseling profession. Our chapter offers yearly training seminars to our members, access to nationwide networking sites, free webinars, and research material to support the counseling field.

Students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and whom have completed at least three full time semesters can request review for induction. Our student run organization has an active Facebook page that once inducted you are asked to join. Students are encouraged to run for office and elections are held yearly. We are a service led honor society, and charity and advocacy are our key goals each year. We strive to server others and welcome graduate students in the Masters of Science in Counseling (MSC) program to join this amazing organization, and become part of a network of other members, that can assist you through your career of helping others.