The Master of Science in Professional Counseling program is designed for students interested in becoming professional counselors. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for counseling clients experiencing a variety of psychological, social, behavioral, and emotional issues. Students graduating with a professional counseling degree and who pass state-mandated testing will be prepared for careers as counselors, behavioral health counselors, or mental health counselors. Graduates may also be qualified to provide counseling services to clients with substance abuse issues and marital and family issues.

The master‛s in counseling focuses on a variety of topics, including: counseling orientation and ethics; counseling theories; addictions and substance use disorders; group counseling theory and practice; social and cultural diversity issues in counseling; psychopharmacology and addictions; human sexuality, aging, and long-term care; counseling skills in the helping relationships; human growth and development; marriage and family therapy; spousal and child abuse, crisis, and trauma counseling; tests and appraisal in counseling; career development and counseling; research methods; diagnostics, assessment, and treatment; and psychopathology and counseling.

The program‛s courses were selected to meet the academic requirements established by the National Board for Certified Counselors for the National Certified Counselor credential (NCC) and by Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. A master‛s degree in counseling is a required step in 48 states including Arizona for individuals seeking to become licensed as counselors.

Graduates from this master‛s in counseling program are prepared to meet the academic requirements for licensure in Arizona as a: Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor (LASAC) or a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor (LISAC). Additionally, graduates from most other states will be academically prepared to begin the process of seeking certification and/or licensure in their home state. Licensing and/or certification requirements may vary from state to state. It is the student's responsibility to check the licensing/certification requirements in their respective states.