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.
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
Thirty-year track record in 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 would then work to complete the remaining 30+ hours toward their graduate degree in Counseling. They would 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.
- 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 Bragg)
Approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), our MA in School Counseling is designed to prepare you to work with children and families in a variety of school settings. Completion of the degree will provide students with the required educational credentials for both K–8 and 7–12 school counselor certifications in Missouri. *Students who require prerequisite courses may have to complete more credit hours.
Two Opportunities for MA in Counseling Students
Paid Internships Through Webster Institute for Clinical Scholarship
The Webster Institute for Clinical Scholarship (WICS) seeks to increase the number and diversity of professional counseling MA graduates who have a commitment to working in high-need, high-demand areas to improve health outcomes for low-income and under-served populations in communities in the greater St. Louis region. The WICS internship program was made possible through a Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Counseling Experiences with First Responder Wellness Group
The First Responder Wellness Group (FRWG) will work with other counseling students and first responders to develop the skills to help workers who respond to crises. The group meets monthly for planning sessions. “At this time, the network is not setting up counseling sessions but resources for this population,” professor Stacey Henning said. “Eventually, this network hopes to provide group support counseling to this population with faculty oversight, and in the long-term we hope to grow strong enough to include groups outside of Webster.”
Email FRwellnessgroup@gmail.com to learn more.
Locations for MA in Counseling Program
Our Master of Arts in Counseling program is available at several Webster campuses, online in all states except California, 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 our Geneval campus is a SGfB-accredited program.
The MA in Counseling with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is offered online in the United States. This is the primary emphasis pursued by our students and is designed for persons wanting to practice all types of counseling. 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. Extended hybrid programs are available in most* states. Please note that this modality is not The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited at this time.
Our online program combines counselor education with technology to provide a robust learning experience for students from the comfort of their own homes. Curriculum is delivered in nine-week terms with weekly synchronous or asynchronous course meetings, making our program accessible to counselors in training across the U.S. When synchronous, classes are held from 5-8 p.m. CDT.
In addition to these nine-week courses, students will participate in one week-long intensive held in St. Louis during their first summer in the program. During this intensive, students will work to develop and practice skills needed for both individual and group counseling.
Each student enrolled in the Extended Hybrid Counseling Program is assigned a faculty advisor. These advisors are full-time faculty and have knowledge of licensing requirements in their own state of residence, as well as ways to find those in other states. Students work with their advisor to research the licensing requirements of their individual state and develop a program of study that will ensure they are well prepared upon graduation.
*Because California does not participate in SARA and also due to the nature of counselor licensure requirements for the state, the Hybrid program does not admit students from California.
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: Ms. Ayanna McNeil
- Current Student: Ms. Danielle Coons
- Site Supervisor: Mr. Chaddrick Middleton
- Adjunct Faculty: Dr. Angelica Greiner
- State Counseling Coordinator: Alexandria Smith
- Current Adjunct Faculty Member: Dr. Jennifer Smith
- Current Student: Ms. Rickia Jessup
The MA in Counseling with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling offered at the main campus in Webster Groves, 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.
Webster Groves, Missouri Counseling Program Advisory Board
- Caite DuMontier, Webster Professional Counseling graduate
- Dr. Susan Morse, Clinical Psychologist at BJC Behavioral Health
Supervisor of current students - Nicholas Wren, Associate Clinical Director/Director of Behavior Intervention and Practicum Program
at Logos School
Supervisor of current students - Alexandra Mathieu, Webster Professional Counseling graduate
Supervisor of current students - Dia Hicks, CD Counselor/Therapist at Bridgeway Behavioral Health and Webster Professional Counseling
graduate
Supervisor of current students - Vanessa Curran, Webster Professional Counseling graduate
- Dr. Jan Munro, former Dean of Counseling and faculty member at Lindenwood University
“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.”
Geneva, Switzerland Campus
Professional Counseling Department Academic Resources and Information
- Caite DuMontier, Webster Professional Counseling graduate
- Dr. Susan Morse, Clinical Psychologist at BJC Behavioral Health
Supervisor of current students - Nicholas Wren, Associate Clinical Director/Director of Behavior Intervention and Practicum Program
at Logos School
Supervisor of current students - Alexandra Mathieu, Webster Professional Counseling graduate
Supervisor of current students - Dia Hicks, CD Counselor/Therapist at Bridgeway Behavioral Health and Webster Professional Counseling
graduate
Supervisor of current students - Vanessa Curran, Webster Professional Counseling graduate
- Dr. Jan Munro, former Dean of Counseling and faculty member at Lindenwood University
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
- Admission Requirements for MA in Counseling Program
- Admission Requirements for the MA in School Counseling Program
- Download Counseling Recommendation Form (PDF opens in new tab)
- American Counseling Association (opens in new tab)
- American Mental Health Counselors Association (opens in new tab)
- American School Counselor Association (opens in new tab)
- Licensure Boards that have adopted the ACA Code of Ethics (PDF opens in new tab)
- Statistics on Mental Health Professionals (PDF opens in new tab)
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 2017-2018 | 55 |
| Pass Rate on NCE in 2017 | 64.3% |
| Completion Rate | 43% |
| Percentage of students who graduated within 2.5 years of starting the program | |
| Job Placement Rate | 91% |
| Percentage of graduates who are working full-time, part-time or are continuing their education | |
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