Title (title extra extra large)
Online Master Of Arts In Counseling
Column
Ref:column (main)
Column
Ref:column (content)
Subtitle
Turn Your Passion into Your Profession.
Content
Highly trained and empathetic counselors have the power to inspire change and make a profound impact in the lives of those they serve. In today’s era of health care reform, demand for care continues to surpass the number of qualified professionals available to provide it.
That’s why Bradley University offers an online Master of Arts in Counseling program that can equip you with the specialized competence to help those who need it most.
Define your career in counseling by choosing from two specialty tracks:
- Master of Arts in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)
- Master of Arts in Counseling – Professional School Counseling (PSC)
Title (title large)
Start your journey
Content
Fall 2026
Application Deadline:
July 8, 2026
Start Date:
August 26, 2026
Call: 1-866-323-8015
Button (secondary)
Button Label
Apply now
Title (title extra large)
At A Glance
Title (title extra large)
Curriculum
Content
To graduate with your Master of Arts in Counseling, you must successfully complete 60 semester hours of graduate academic work, including one practicum, two internships and two, one-week-long campus-based residencies. The first residency will take place during your first term, and the second will occur in the eighth term.
Title (title small)
Program Foundation Courses
Summary
COU 620 Professional Counseling Orientation & Ethical Practice 3 Credits
Main Content
Basic counseling skills for career planning, exploration, and decision-making across the life span. Theories of career development, assessment in career counseling, career guidance programs for primary, secondary, and higher education, and career issues for special populations are addressed. Opportunity for practical experience in interviewing, assessment, and career information gathering and distribution is provided.
Summary
COU 607 Neurocounseling: Bridging Brain & Behavior 3 Credits
Main Content
Instruction, simulations, demonstrations, practice and evaluation of concepts of the human brain, its functions and its interconnection to the field of counseling based on current efficacy research and practice.
Title (title small)
Program Core Courses
Summary
COU 624 Theories & Techniques of Counseling 3 Credits
Main Content
This course is a study of counseling theories and models that facilitate client conceptualization, selection of appropriate interventions and development of a personal model of counseling.
Summary
COU 621 Career Counseling 3 Credits
Main Content
Basic counseling skills for career planning, exploration and decision-making. Basic counseling skills for career planning, exploration, and decision-making across the life span. Theories of career development, assessment in career counseling, career guidance programs for primary, secondary, and higher education, and career issues for special populations are addressed. Opportunity for practical experience in interviewing, assessment, and career information gathering and distribution is provided.
Summary
COU 630 Diagnosis & Treatment of Mental Health Disorders 3 Credits
Main Content
An overview of psychodiagnostics and psychopathology. Basics of psychodiagnostics and psychopathology will be covered. Students will gain a working knowledge of the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as well as a basis of treatments for mental disorders.
Summary
COU 551 Prevention & Treatment of Substance Related & Addictive Disorders 3 Credits
Main Content
Students study theories and etiology of addictions and addictive behaviors, including strategies for prevention, intervention and treatment.
Summary
COU 540 Human Growth & Development Across the Lifespan 3 Credits
Main Content
In this course, students gain an understanding of the nature and needs of persons at all developmental levels and in multicultural contexts, including common theories, neurobiological behavior, models of resiliency, exceptional abilities, factors that affect normal and abnormal behavior and wellness over the life span. Experiential activities emphasize personal contact and on-site work with people of different ages and stages of physical and psychological development.
Summary
COU 623 Pre-Practicum in Counseling 3 Credits
Main Content
Instruction, demonstration, practice and evaluation in basic interviewing and response skills. Emphasis on practice and skill development. (Area d)
Summary
COU 604 Research Methodology & Evaluation 3 Credits
Main Content
This course covers research methods, statistical analysis, needs assessment and program evaluation utilized in counseling, education and human service administration. Emphasis is placed on the use of research to inform evidence-based, ethical practice in decision-making.
Summary
COU 586 Counseling Diverse Populations 3 Credits
Main Content
Students are introduced to value systems and diverse groups and the use of theories and models of diversity in establishing effective helping relationships.
Summary
COU 625 Principles of Group Counseling 3 Credits
Main Content
This course teaches group theory and experiential understanding of group counseling dynamics, including group purpose, practices, methods and group leader facilitation skills for a multicultural society. Students receive supervised practice and experience in group counseling as both a leader and participant.
Summary
COU 641 Assessment in Counseling 3 Credits
Main Content
Development of a framework for understanding the individual. Methods of data gathering and interpretation, individual and group testing, case study approaches and study of individual differences — ethnic, cultural and sex factors. (Area b)
Summary
COU 631 Trauma Crisis & Grief Counseling 3 Credits
Main Content
An overview of responses to crises of various types including those that are more individual, those that affect families and those that have wider impact for entire communities. When these crises occur, normal problem-solving methods are typically insufficient to address the level of emotional and social difficulties involved. Practical intervention techniques are practiced and opportunities to observe people in the field are offered.
Summary
COU 661 Intimate Partner Relationships & Family Counseling 3 Credits
Main Content
Theories and techniques of couples and family counseling. Emphasis is on working with couples, families and children to promote human development, including the role of the family counselor within the network of school and clinical mental health settings.
Title (title small)
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration Courses
Summary
COU 608 Brain-Based Counseling Interventions 3 Credits
Main Content
Students become skilled in neurocounseling interventions supported by current research findings. Through experiential activities, discussion, research and reflections, students interactively explore interventions designed to support healthy brain plasticity and bridge counseling skills to the brain’s physiology and function. Interventions such as mindfulness, meditation, neurotherapy, neurofeedback and other strategies for self-regulation are demonstrated, discussed and practiced
Summary
COU 651 Clinical Mental Health Counseling 3 Credits
Main Content
How communities and community agencies can work to promote human development. Role of the counselor as a change agent and client advocate within the network of community agencies along with an introduction to administration, finance and accountability within mental health organizations. Prerequisite: COU 620 or consent of instructor.
Subtitle (title small)
Professional School Counseling Concentration Courses
Summary
COU 655 Professional School Counseling, Secondary Schools 2 Credits
Main Content
In this course, students study secondary professional school counseling programs, including administration; finance and accountability; and cognitive and experiential skills. Also addressed are the history and development of school counseling; secondary school education and counseling programs (similarities and differences); group and individual counseling, the counselor’s role in school testing; and career planning and exploration. Practical experiences are provided.
Summary
COU 669 Education Law, Advocacy, & Leadership 2 Credits
Main Content
This course reviews all disability categories related to special education services and addresses appropriate staffing and instructional methods for students with exceptionalities. Course content provides information on state and federal requirements relative to students for whom English is not the primary language as well as the statutory provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). It also provides an examination of stakeholders and participants in special education services, identification/evaluation of services, appropriate instructional methods, least restrictive environment, related services and free and appropriate education.
Summary
COU 585 Understanding Schools A Primer for Non-Teachers* 1 Credit
Main Content
This course is a combined survey and field observation experience intended for non-teachers seeking state licensure as a school counselor. Students learn about the structure, organization and operation of the U.S. educational system, P-12. Using current neuroscience and neurocounseling research on teaching and learning, students are introduced to concepts in curriculum and instruction to include reading methods and reading in the content area.
Summary
COU 653 Professional School Counseling, K-8 2 Credits
Main Content
Students learn about the history and development of elementary and middle school counseling programs, including their administration, financing and accountability. Using current neuroscience and neurocounseling research on teaching and learning, students are introduced to reading methods; reading in the content areas; cognitive, experiential and social-emotional learning skills; methods for group and individual counseling; and methods for counseling students with disabilities and students from diverse populations.
Subtitle (title small)
Experiential Courses
Summary
COU 690 Practicum 3 Credits
Main Content
Supervised counseling experience with individuals and groups in student’s area of interest.
Summary
COU 691 Internship I 3 Credits
Main Content
Supervised post-practicum work experience appropriate to student’s career goals.
Summary
COU 692 Internship II 3 Credits
Main Content
Supervised post-practicum work experience appropriate to student’s career goals.
Summary
COU 640 Clinical Supervision 2 Credits
Main Content
Offers students the opportunity to better understand the supervisory process. Evidenced-based supervision (EBS) will be at the core. Students will learn the different models of supervision and a common factors approach.
Summary
COU 654 Consultation 1 Credit
Main Content
A conceptual understanding of effective consultation and its relevance to the helping professional. Demonstration of knowledge and skills necessary to deliver effective consultative services in schools and clinical mental health agencies.
Title (title extra large)
Admission requirements
Content
To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following qualifications:
Column
Ref:column (main)
Column
Ref:column (content)
Content
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Students may be admitted unconditionally if they have achieved at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework. Applicants with previous graduate coursework must have achieved a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in all graduate coursework and have completed a minimum of 12 graduate credit hours for the graduate grade point average to be considered for admission.
Content
You must also submit the following:
- Completed online application, which includes providing the following information:
- Non-refundable $40 application fee
- Official transcripts of academic credentials
- Resume
- Statement of Interest:
- Achievements and work experience that you consider relevant to your interest in and capacity for graduate study
- Career objectives and how the graduate program you have selected will assist you in attaining these goals
- Three letters of recommendation
- Virtual interview (The virtual interview can be scheduled after applicant has submitted the application and met all other requirements.)
Title (title extra large)
Accreditation
Image
Text (copy extra small)
Higher Learning Commission
Image
Text (copy extra small)
Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs.
Title (title extra large)
FAQs
Summary
How long does the online MA in Counseling program take to complete?
Main Content
The online MA in Counseling can be completed in approximately three years. The program is structured to allow students to progress part-time while balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
Summary
Is the online MA in Counseling fully online?
Main Content
Academic coursework in the online MA in Counseling is delivered online. During the second half of the program, students complete required synchronous coursework, including COU625: Group Counseling for the Clinical Mental Health track, and practicum and internship experiences in approved clinical settings located in their home community.
Summary
What happens during the practicum and internship portion of the online MA in Counseling?
Main Content
In the practicum and internship phase, students apply counseling skills in real-world settings under supervision. These experiences take place in person at approved sites and are designed to meet professional training and licensure preparation requirements.
Summary
Can I work while completing the online MA in Counseling?
Main Content
Yes. The online MA in Counseling is designed with working adults in mind, and many students continue working while completing coursework. However, practicum and internship courses require a significant time commitment, and work schedules may need to be adjusted during the final year.
Summary
Does Bradley University help with practicum and internship placement?
Main Content
Bradley provides guidelines, resources, and support to assist online MA in Counseling students in identifying and securing appropriate practicum and internship sites in their local area. Bradley reviews and approves all sites to ensure they meet program and professional standards.
Summary
What areas of counseling does the online MA in Counseling prepare graduates for?
Main Content
The Online MA in Counseling prepares students with foundational counseling knowledge and skills applicable to settings such as community mental health agencies, human services organizations, public and private schools and universities, and other helping professions, depending on the student's chosen pathway and state regulations. Bradley University offers degree tracks in Professional School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Summary
Is prior counseling or psychology experience required for admission to the online MA in Counseling?
Main Content
Prior experience in psychology, counseling, or human services can be helpful, but it is not required for admission to the online MA Counseling. Students from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Summary
Is the online MA in Counseling accredited?
Main Content
Bradley University is regionally accredited, and the online MA in Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Students are encouraged to review the program's accreditation status and how it aligns with their professional goals and state licensure requirements, which can vary by location.
Summary
Will the online MA in Counseling prepare me for counseling licensure?
Main Content
The online MA in Counseling curriculum is designed to provide the academic foundation required for professional counseling roles. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Licensing requirements vary by state, so students should verify specific educational and clinical requirements in the state where they plan to pursue licensure.
Summary
Do counseling licensure requirements vary by state?
Main Content
Yes. Counseling licensure requirements differ by state and may include specific coursework, supervised clinical hours, and post-graduation requirements. Students completing the online MA in Counseling are responsible for understanding the regulations in the state where they intend to practice.
Title (title extra large)
Get started today
Content
Call 1-866-323-8015 or schedule an appointment with an advisor to learn more about Bradley University's online Master of Arts in Counseling program.