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Ball State’s master of arts in counseling is a flexible, challenging program that prepares you to become a counseling professional dedicated to helping people and making the world a better and more just place. We offer this program in two concentrations: clinical mental health counseling or rehabilitation counseling.

If you love the idea of applying your education in real-world settings, then our master’s program in counseling is a great fit.

As a student and eventual graduate of our program, you will provide services for clients in:

Why Ball State?

As a student in our MA in counseling program, you will gain real-life experience both in our practicum clinic and in clinics across east-central Indiana. Your hands-on work with clients will prepare you to practice professionally as a licensed mental health or rehabilitation counselor.

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Graduates of our counseling program have a stellar job placement rate. Due to the strength of our departmental courses and the hands-on experiences you will gain through the program, you’ll graduate as a highly attractive candidate in the eyes of employers, ready to immediately begin practicing in your field.

Our campus and community are diverse, and many of the students who pursue our MA in counseling are dedicated to social justice causes and fascinated with human behavior. Students in our programs aren’t afraid to tackle the tough issues, even when it’s challenging.

Our faculty members are experts in their areas of concentration. They’re committed to student excellence, active in professional leadership, and will encourage you to pursue excellence in your chosen field.

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A limited number of graduate assistantships are available at the university that provide assistants with a stipend while offsetting most of the graduate tuition. In addition, Ball State has some of the most competitive tuition and fees in the Midwest.

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Concentrations

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

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This concentration prepares you to be a licensed mental health counselor. This concentration requires you to earn a total of 60 credits from courses in counseling and psychology, including practica and internship. After completing the program, you will be eligible for licensure as a mental health counselor in the state of Indiana and other states.

Program Booklet

To learn more about this program and its requirements please download our supplemental booklet.

Download Booklet (PDF)

What You Will Learn

You will learn about:

  • Develop Professional Counselor Identity
  • Develop Sensitivity to Social and Cultural Diversity
  • Understand Human Growth and Development
  • Gain Knowledge of Career Development
  • Understand Counseling and Helping Relationships
  • Gain Knowledge in Assessment and Testing
  • Gain Knowledge in Research and Program Evaluation
  • Prepare for Professional Certification or Licensure
  • Develop Reflective Practice

You will gain knowledge and skills in diagnosis, assessment, treatment, referral, and prevention related to mental health issues.

Program Requirements

Credits

Total: 60

Courses

A few of the classes you will take include:

  • CPSY 605 – Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • CPSY 610 – Career Theories and Realities
  • CPSY 621 – Theories and Techniques of Counseling
  • CPSY 636 – Psychopathology
  • CPSY 637 – Introduction to Psychopharmacology

For a complete list of all Department courses and their descriptions, please see our Graduate Catalog.

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Practicum

To gain real-world experience, you will complete two semesters of practica and a 600-900-hour field internship.

a group of CPSPC students working together.

The rehabilitation counseling concentration will prepare you for a career in the rapidly growing field of rehabilitation counseling. This program is designed to prepare you for certification as a rehabilitation counselor.

Program Booklet

To learn more about this program and its requirements pleases download our supplemental booklet.

Download Booklet (PDF)

What You Will Learn

In this concentration, you will learn ways to enhance psychosocial functioning, foster independent living skills, and improve employment opportunities for people with a wide range of disabilities and chronic health conditions. You will also take part in a required internship in a rehabilitation setting under the supervision of a certified rehabilitation counselor.

Requirements

The program requires you to earn a minimum of 48 credits from courses in counseling and educational psychology. If you complete the 48-credit program, you will be eligible for certification as a rehabilitation counselor. Students may choose to complete additional courses to be eligible for licensing as a mental health counselor in the state of Indiana.

ACCREDITATION
Our rehabilitation counseling concentration is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Learn more.

Credits

48

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Courses

A few of the classes you will take include:

  • CPSY 603 Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling
  • CPSY 607 Appraisal Methods in Counseling
  • CPSY 608 Psychosocial Aspects of Rehabilitation
  • CPSY 610 Career Theories and Realities
  • CPSY 621 Theories and Techniques of Counseling

For a complete list of all Departmental courses  and their descriptions, please see our Graduate Catalog.

View Catalog

Program Outcomes

Information pertaining to Program Outcomes can be found here.

What Can You Do with this Degree?

The two tracks in our MA in counseling program, combined with the real-world experience you’ll gain during your internship, will prepare you for licensure and a career as a:

Professional Associations

To supplement your graduate study, you are also encouraged to hold student membership in one of the following organizations:

Paying for Your Education

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Tuition and Fees

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Funding Graduate Study

Department Graduate Assistantships

A graduate assistantship is an excellent opportunity to gain meaningful professional experience while helping cover the costs of your degree. Learn more.

Ready to Apply?

Are you interested in pursuing this degree? Then you will need to meet our admissions criteria and apply.

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More Information

If you would like to learn more about this program or about Ball State Graduate School in general, please complete our online form to request more information. Or, if you’d like to speak with someone in our department directly by phone or email, please contact us.

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