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)