MAC Concentrations

Master of Arts in Counseling

Academic Program

Master of Arts in Counseling

The Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) program offers two concentrations designed to provide students with the necessary academic and field experiences to become professional counselors.

Our curriculum prepares graduates to sit for licensure with the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) as a Licensed Professional School Counselor; the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage/Family Therapist Board (OCSWMFT) Board as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and/or to qualify to sit for licensure as both a school and clinical mental health counselor.

Both concentrations emphasize academic excellence, competence in counseling skills and personal growth with practical experience through closely supervised practicum and internship experiences. Each of these concentrations is designed to assist students in their development of the knowledge and skills needed to effectively and professionally provide counseling services to clients within a variety of settings.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration

The 60-semester hour, Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration is designed to meet the academic and field experience requirements for those students who are seeking licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in the state of Ohio. **Students who may wish to be licensed outside of the state of Ohio should check with their state licensure boards. The major purpose of the Heidelberg University clinical mental health counselor concentration is to develop in students the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to provide appropriate counseling services within a variety of therapeutic settings. Skills in interpersonal helping, communication, diagnosis and treatment, and diversity acquired in the program are applicable to a variety of professions including education, community social services, public and private mental health agencies, business and industry, government, substance use, employee assistance, and the ministry.

The Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) degree in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration includes a 100-hour practicum field experience and a minimum two semester, 600-hour Internship field experience. The state of Ohio requires a minimum of 60 semester hours of coursework to be eligible for state licensure. The 60 semester hours must include at least 20 semester hours of clinical endorsement coursework with at least one course in each of the following five clinical areas:

clinical psychopathology, personality, and abnormal behavior
evaluation of mental and emotional disorders
diagnosis of mental and emotional disorders
methods of intervention and prevention of mental and emotional disorders
treatment of mental and emotional disorders

All 600 level courses are advanced Clinical Endorsement courses and require the necessary prerequisites (see course descriptions). All students who complete the 60-hour Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration will be eligible to sit for the state licensure exam during their last semester of coursework and will be eligible for licensure in the state of Ohio after passing the exam.

School Counseling Concentration

The 50 semester-hour, School Counseling concentration is designed to meet the academic and field experience requirements for those students who are seeking licensure as a Licensed Professional School Counselor (LPSC) in the state of Ohio. **Students who may wish to be licensed outside of the state of Ohio should check with their state licensure boards. The major purpose of the Heidelberg University School Counselor concentration is to develop, in students, the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to provide appropriate counseling services within the school setting. To qualify for licensure as a Professional School Counselor with the Ohio Department of Education, candidates must have completed at least 50 semester hours of coursework, including 100 hours of Practicum field experience and 600 hours of Internship field experience and must successfully pass the OAE 040 exam developed by the Ohio Department of Education.

A school counselor in the State of Ohio must have graduated from an approved program of preparation and have been recommended by the head of teacher education. This individual must have completed an examination prescribed by the State Board of Education and evidenced the education and experience requirements which include:

A Master’s degree and 1) completion of a 600-hour internship in a school setting, 2) a passing score on the Ohio Assessment for Educators (#040), and 3) the successful completion of an BCI/FBI background check.

In addition to the two counseling concentrations, MAC offers the coursework and field placement experience for currently-licensed counseling professionals who might be interested in a non-degree licensure endorsement in either school or clinical mental health counseling.

Post-Master’s School Counselor Licensure Endorsement Program (PSCLE)

Any applicant, who already holds a Master’s degree in counseling, currently holds a valid license and is seeking school counseling licensure as a non-degree student, may apply for admission to the Post Master’s School Counseling Licensure Endorsement (PSCLE) Program. The Director of Graduate Studies will review the student’s application, transcripts and make a determination related to their Endorsement Plan of Study. These students will finish their coursework for the endorsement program as non-degree seeking students. Upon finishing their courses and passing the OAE 040 examination, they will be recommended to the Ohio Department of Education to sit for licensure as a school counselor. Specific requirements for admission into this program and additional information can be found in the MAC Student Handbook.

Post-Master’s Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensure Endorsement

Any applicant, who already holds a Master’s degree in school counseling and is seeking clinical mental health counseling licensure as a non-degree student, must contact the Ohio Counselor Social Worker Marriage/Family Therapist Board to review their transcripts. The Board will provide written notice to the applicant of the clinical courses required to sit for a clinical license. Requirements for admission into this program and additional information can be found in the MAC Student Handbook.