The NSU master's degree in counseling is a two-year plus two-summer program, with specializations in clinical mental health and school counseling.

    About The Program

    The NSU counseling program leads to a master’s of science in education degree, preparing you for K-12 school or clinical mental health counseling certification/licensure. Our Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

     

    As an NSU counseling student, you can choose your career path:

     

    Clinical Mental Health

    Prepare to work in an agency or private practice setting and become certified to work with children, adults, families and groups. (Earn a degree in clinical mental health counseling – 60 credits)

     

    School counseling

    Prepare to counsel K-12 children in private, public, or parochial schools. Your degree prepares you for a career in school guidance. (Earn a degree in school counseling – 60 credits)

     

    Forensic Counseling (specialization)

    Prepare to work in the criminal justice system and become certified to work with victims, first responders, and perpetrators. (Earn a degree in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in forensic counseling – 72 credits)

     

    Mission Statement

    The counseling program at Northern State University emphasizes the development of counseling professionals who are competent in their counseling knowledge, skills, and practice. Utilizing a creative, strength-based approach, the program endorses self-reflective, theory-based, intentional counseling. The pillars of NSU's program include the celebration of human diversity, a belief in the dignity and inherent worth of others, and a commitment to fostering students' identities as professional counselors.

    Clinical Mental Health program objectives

    The program objectives for students enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health specialization include:

    • To describe the foundations of the clinical mental health counseling profession
    • To demonstrate self-awareness and sensitivity to others, seeking supervision when appropriate
    • To implement culturally appropriate counseling practice
    • To adhere to professional standards and codes of ethical conduct
    • To articulate a theoretically based philosophy of counseling
    • To demonstrate effective and therapeutic use of research relevant to the practice of clinical mental health counseling
    • To demonstrate knowledge of various approaches to clinical evaluation and to select appropriate assessment interventions, and
    • To demonstrate appropriate knowledge of the principles of the diagnostic process and use of diagnostic tools
    School Counseling program objectives

    The program objectives for students enrolled in the School Counseling specialization include:

    • To describe the foundations of the school counseling and educational system
    • To demonstrate self-awareness and sensitivity to others, seeking supervision when appropriate
    • To implement culturally appropriate counseling practice
    • To adhere to professional standards and codes of ethical conduct
    • To articulate a theoretically based philosophy of counseling
    • To demonstrate effective and therapeutic use of research relevant to the practice of school counseling
    • To demonstrate knowledge of various needs assessments and to select appropriate assessment strategies to evaluate academic, career, and personal/social development
    • To implement appropriate pedagogical strategies, including differentiated instruction, to promote student achievement
    • To show knowledge of, and ability to work with, school and community resources to promote academic, career, and personal/social development, and
    • To assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of a school counseling program
    NSU Counselor Education Student Handbook

    2023-2024 Northern State University Counselor Education Student Handbook

    PLC Disclosure Statements

    Please visit PLC Disclosure Statements.

     

    ACTIVE MINDS

    Active Minds supports mental health awareness and education for young adults. Active Minds is about helping others begin a conversation surrounding mental health and creating lasting change in the way mental health is talked about, cared for, and valued. 

     

    For more information, visit NSU Active Minds (Instagram)

    Admission

    Admission to the counseling program requirements include the following:

    • Undergraduate GPA of 2.75
    • Completed graduate application
    • Two letters of recommendation
    • A statement of career goals
    • An official transcript
    • $35 application fee

     

    Accreditation

    CACREP ACCREDITATION

    Both the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master of Education degree and School Counseling Master of Education degree are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and have been since July 2017. 

    NSU Counseling Programs Receive CACREP Accreditation

    Hyflex Delivery

     

    ANNUAL REPORTS

    2020-2021 Vital Statistics Report

    2021-2022 Vital Statistics Report

    2020-2021 Annual Program Report

    2021-2022 Annual Program Report

     

    SUPERVISION TRAINING INFORMATION

    Orientation to Clinical Supervision and Professional Development (OCSPD)

    Careers

    Students selecting school counseling will be prepared to counsel K-12 children in private, public or parochial schools.

     

    Students selecting clinical mental health counseling will be prepared to enter into an agency setting working with children, adults, families and groups. They also may work in a career guidance or employment setting.

     

    Students will be prepared to take a state licensure or national certification exam in their preparation area.

    Internships

    Students must complete a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship in either a clinical mental health setting or a school setting, depending on their specialization.

     

    Students in this program will have the opportunity for a variety of graduate assistantships. Students will also have opportunities to work with people in their chosen field in practicum and internship.

    Scholarships

    The annual Janice Jirouch Counselor Education Scholarship and Clara Leap Graham Memorial Scholarship are available for students in this program. Each of these need-based scholarships is awarded around April 1 to current or incoming students. Applications are distributed during the interview process in January or March.

    Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Lindsey Wilson College (2023) 
    Master of Arts, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Pentecostal Theological Seminary (2019) 
    Bachelor of Arts, Intercultural Studies, Lee University (2014) 

     

    Dr. Jia has experience as an inpatient behavioral therapist in a psychiatric hospital. He also has experience in grief and bereavement counseling. Dr. Jia worked as a graduate assistant to prepare students for their practicum and internship for two years during his doctoral studies. He has also served as co-instructor at Lindsey Wilson College and Mongolia International University. 

    Research Interests: 

    • Supervision 
    • Career development 
    • Counselor wellness 
    • Cross-cultural counseling 
    • Addiction 
    • Mental health and faith 
    • International students 

     

    Professional Organizations: 

    Ph.D. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

    M.Phil. Martin Luther Christian University

    M.S. Mahatma Gandhi University

    B.S. Mahatma Gandhi University

     

    CV

     

    Dr. Shalini Mathew is an assistant professor, field coordinator and Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) liaison for the master’s in counseling program. She is a National Board of Certified Counselors nationally certified counselor. She is serving as a site visit team member on the CACREP team of site visitors.

     

    Dr. Mathew earned a doctor of philosophy degree in rehabilitation counseling and counselor education from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (2019), a master of philosophy degree in school…

    Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, animal-assisted interventions, State University of New York at Buffalo (2022)

    Master of Science, School Counseling, Canisius College (2011)

    Bachelor of Science, Hospitality Administration, State University of New York at Buffalo State College (2008)

     

    Dr. Chris Puglisi has experience as a school counselor at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, working with a diverse population and in several classroom settings. He has also worked as a counselor in the Upward Bound Program at Penn State University, an adjunct instructor at several colleges and universities in Western New York, and as a life skills trainer for people with developmental disabilities. He has engaged in advocacy for students with special needs and is a certified school counselor in the state of New York.

     

    Research Interests

    Animal-assisted interventions

    Animal-assisted therapy

    Animal-…