Experience High-Quality, Culturally-Inclusive Learning

The mission of the Webster University Department of Professional Counseling is to provide high-quality learning experiences to students, helping them become expert professional counselors who strive for individual excellence and contribute to an enhanced quality of life in local, national and global societies. Curriculum is culturally-inclusive, training students with a strong base of knowledge and skills to practice effectively in a variety of careers in the field of mental health and human service, educational institutions, private practice and government, as well as in business and industrial settings.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop a professional orientation and identity as a counselor by applying sound ethical, legal, advocacy and supervisory practices which lead to success as a mental health counselor.
  • Identify the cultural context of relationships, issues and trends in a multicultural society that impact the counseling process.
  • Synthesize theories of human growth and development to develop culturally responsive counseling practices.
  • Apply theories and models of career development to related life factors in multicultural contexts appropriate to an individual's work, family and lifestyle.
  • Develop an empirically based approach to counseling that emphasizes wellness and prevention by integrating theory and best practices.
  • Apply theoretical and experiential understandings of group approaches to counseling to develop targeted interventions within a multicultural society.
  • Apply individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation in a multicultural society.
  • Utilize statistical concepts, research methods, needs assessment and program evaluation skills commonly used in the counseling profession.

  • Apply ethical and legal standards, as well as knowledge of public mental health policy, financing and regulatory processes to mental health counseling.
  • Implement mental health counseling principles and practices associated with education, prevention, consultation and intervention.
  • Describe how living in a multicultural society impacts clients and apply effective advocacy strategies to enhance mental health services.
  • Employ various assessment techniques associated with professional mental health counseling to appropriately intervene in meeting the needs of diverse clients.
  • Apply evidence-based research literature associated with professional mental health counseling to meet the needs of clients living in a diverse society.
  • Implement diagnostic tools appropriate for mental health counseling professionals to diagnose disorders in diverse clients.

Small Classes

Maximum of 24 students to create an ideal environment for learning, interaction and discovery.

Hands-On Training

All students complete a 15-month clinical counseling field experience.

Proven Record

30-year track record preparing students for successful careers in the counseling profession.

Aligned with Professional Standards

The department’s philosophy encompasses a commitment to the development of a professional identity as professional counselors, oversight of curriculum and field experience, and uniformity through implementation of and adherence to one curriculum with the flexibility to provide counselor education and supervision at various national and global campuses. The department continually works to enhance the counseling curriculum in order to provide a counselor education and supervision experience that promotes social justice using a global approach. The program curriculum is aligned with individual state educational requirements, national professional standards and the American Counseling Association (ACA) Ethical Code.

Graduate Programs

Webster University offers a 3-2+ program which combines the BA in Psychology with an emphasis in Mental Health and the MA in Counseling. In this 3-2+ program, students who complete all of their undergraduate requirements for the bachelor's degree within the first 90 credit hours can complete the remainder of their elective credits (30 hours) as a student in the master's program. Once students complete 120 hours, they can petition to graduate with the BA. The students then work to complete the remaining 30+ hours toward their graduate degree in Counseling. They need to complete at least 30 hours at the graduate level once they receive their undergraduate degree.

Psychology (BA) with an Emphasis in Mental Health/Counseling (MA)

Webster's MA in Counseling supports the development of students as competent counselors, and is designed to prepare individuals for a career in this growing profession. The innovative curriculum combines classroom education and hands-on field experience to provide you with the theory and skills you need to work with individuals, couples, families, and children in a variety of mental health settings.

Master of Arts in Counseling

  • Emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • Emphasis in Community Counseling (only available in Geneva)
  • Emphasis in Couples, Marriage, Family and Child Counseling (only available at Fort Liberty)

Locations for MA in Counseling Program

Our Master of Arts in Counseling program is available at several Webster campuses, online in select states, as well as internationally in Geneva, Switzerland. Accreditation and availability of degree emphasis vary by campus.

The MA in Counseling with an Emphasis in Community Counseling offered at Webster Geneva Campus is an SGfB-accredited program.

Geneva, Switzerland

The MA in Counseling with an Emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and offered online for students in the following states:

  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Kansas
  • Massachusetts
  • Missouri
  • New Jersey
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Texas
  • Virginia
  • Washington

Clinical Mental Health Counseling is the primary emphasis pursued by our students. This program is designed to support the development of students as competent counselors for a career in this growing profession. The program is 60 credit hours and includes a 15-month clinical experience where students gain hands-on training working with actual clients in a variety of mental health settings.

Our online program combines counselor education with technology to provide a robust learning experience for students from the comfort of their homes. The curriculum is delivered in nine-week terms with weekly synchronous or asynchronous course meetings, making our program accessible to counselors in training across the United States. All synchronous classes meet once a week, virtually, from 5:30–9:30 p.m. CST.

In addition to these nine-week courses, students have the option to participate in one week-long residency for skills-intensive courses; to facilitate proper planning, details are provided sixth months in advance. During this intensive, students work to develop and practice skills needed for both individual and group counseling. It is possible to complete the program without a residency as this same coursework is available in the regular synchronous online format.

Counselor licensing requirements vary by state. The Counseling curriculum is designed to satisfy the educational requirements for licensure in the states where we offer the counseling program. It is the student’s responsibility to educate themselves on the licensure or certification requirements of the state where they wish to pursue licensure or certification.

Please note that state licensure and certification requirements are reviewed from time to time. The Department of Professional Counseling is committed to ensuring that students have the curricular and academic preparation to make them eligible to apply for initial licensure or certification. The department may therefore revise curriculum from time to time in order to keep abreast of changes in licensure and certification requirements where possible.

Licensure by State:

Webster’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree prepares students for licensure in these 15 states. We know that life happens, and students may end up moving to a different state while in the program or after graduation. Most states require a similar core curriculum with differing additional requirements. For details on individual state licensure (LPC and LMHC) or certification requirements, consult counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements.

Each student enrolled in the Online Counseling Program is assigned a faculty advisor. Advisors are full-time faculty and have knowledge of licensing requirements in various states. Students must work with their academic advisor to ensure that their program plan fulfills all education requirements for licensure in their respective state.

The MA in Counseling with an Emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offered at our campus locations in Columbia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina are accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This is the primary emphasis pursued by our students and is designed for persons wanting to practice all types of counseling.

South Carolina campuses - Columbia Myrtle Beach

South Carolina Advisory Board

  • Previous Student: Ayanna McNeil
  • Current Student: Danielle Coons
  • Site Supervisor: Chaddrick Middleton
  • Adjunct Faculty: Dr. Angelica Greiner
  • State Counseling Coordinator: Alexandria Smith
  • Current Adjunct Faculty Member: Dr. Jennifer Smith
  • Current Student: Rickia Jessup

The MA in Counseling with an Emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, offered at the main campus in St. Louis, Missouri, is accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This is the primary emphasis pursued by our students and is designed for persons wanting to practice all types of counseling.

Xiaoxuan Qu
Alumni Success

“The master's degree in Counseling at Webster was an excellent program where one would find oneself exposed to diversity and depth in both learning and living.”

Xiaoxuan Qu
Xiaoxuan Qu, MA in Counseling

Webster Geneva Campus

Professional Counseling Department Academic Resources and Information

St. Louis, Missouri Advisory Board

  • Mona Jaswal, Webster Professional Counseling Student
  • Dr. Lelia Flagg, Webster Professional Counseling Adjunct Faculty and Site Supervisor
  • Christopher Elliott, Webster Professional Counseling Adjunct Faculty and Site Supervisor
  • Grayson Rosen, Webster Professional Counseling Graduate
  • Angela Sastry, Webster Professional Counseling Adjunct Faculty and Site Supervisor

South Carolina Advisory Board

  • Ayanna McNeil, Previous Student
  • Danielle Coons, Current Student
  • Chaddrick Middleton, Site Supervisor
  • Dr. Angelica Greiner, Adjunct Faculty
  • Alexandria Smith, State Counseling Coordinator
  • Dr. Jennifer Smith, Current Adjunct Faculty Member
  • Rickia Jessup, Current Student

Vital Statistics Outcomes Reports

Outcomes for graduates of the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the combined South Carolina campuses of Charleston (campus now closed), Columbia and Myrtle Beach:

Graduates in Academic Year 2022-2023 26
Pass Rate on NCE in 2022 100%
Completion Rate (3 yr) Percentage of students who graduated within 2.5 years of starting the program 50%
Completion Rate (4 yr) Percentage of students who graduated within 3.5 years of starting the program 61%
Job Placement Rate 52%

Percentage of graduates who are working full-time, part-time or are continuing their education.

 

Outcomes for graduates of the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling for St. Louis:

Graduates in Academic Year 2022-2023 39
Pass Rate on NCE in 2022 75%
Completion Rate (3 yr) Percentage of students who graduated within 2.5 years of starting the program 25%
Completion Rate (4 yr) Percentage of students who graduated within 3.5 years of starting the program 47%
Job Placement Rate 43%

Percentage of graduates who are working full-time, part-time or are continuing their education.

 

Outcomes Survey Data

Field Experience

All clinical documentation is completed in Tevera Management System. Students can view various forms such as Weekly Hour logs, Agreement to Supervise, Site Supervisor evaluation form and Professional Skills Evaluation.