Students who have successfully completed the M.A. in Counseling degree from Lakeland University should be able to:

• Apply counseling roles, theories, and models of interaction, prevention, and intervention including indications and contraindications for professional practice.
• Apply relevant state and federal laws, institutional rules, regulations and standards along with the national and ethical standards of the appropriate licensing bodies and boards as they relate to the therapeutic relationship and practice of counseling.
• Illustrate the psychological and sociological foundations of human development, learning, and behavior and the impact on the counseling setting.
• Describe the role that diversity, inclusion, gender and equity have on academic, personal, social, emotional, and professional development.
• Apply ethical and culturally relevant strategies for addressing career development theories to develop age-appropriate practices and programs.
• Demonstrate individual counseling skills, including assessment of and response to social, emotional, behavioral, and physical concerns.
• Demonstrate ethical and culturally relevant group counseling skills, including group management, interaction, and programming.
• Demonstrate skills used to utilize research, data, and institutional assessments to improve programs and recommend systematic changes.
• Summarize strategies for ongoing professional development and self-evaluation.
• Demonstrate effective ethical and professional behaviors in working responsively with individuals, groups, institutional support networks, community agencies, and governing agencies.
• Apply skills to locate, collect and evaluate research and program data from a variety of sources, which include the use of electronic sources.

Admission Requirements for the M.A. in Counseling in addition to those listed under General Admission Requirements:

General Admission Requirements  

• An applicant with a non-behavioral science undergraduate degree is required to show evidence of nine (9) semester hours with grades of “B-” or better in coursework related to human services or behavioral sciences.
• A completed personal essay responding to a designated set of questions.
• A current resume.
• Two letters of recommendation from supervisors or instructors.
• A formal on-site interview.

Conditional Admission Policy

An applicant may apply for conditional admission to the Master of Arts in Counseling program. To be considered for conditional admission by the program director, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Submit official transcripts reflecting a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least a 2.5, but less than a 2.75;
• Evidence of one of the following:
  • The student’s GPA is at least 3.0 during the last two years of the baccalaureate program (calculated on a minimum of 48 semester hours)
  • Completion of six or more semester hours of program-approved post-baccalaureate courses. These courses must be at the advanced undergraduate or graduate level, taken with the last five years with a grade of B or better (B- not acceptable)
  • A score of 420 or higher on the Miller Analogy Test (MAT)
• Submit a Personal Essay which reflects assets and awareness of liabilities as a potential professional counselor;
• Submit three (3) letters of recommendation from supervisors or instructors that provide support and evidence of the applicant’s ability to achieve success at the graduate level.

The applicant’s conditional status will be reviewed once he/she completes six (6) semester hours of graduate coursework. An applicant in conditional status who achieves a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher will be granted full admission.

Non-Degree-Seeking Student Policy

Students may apply to be non-degree-seeking in Lakeland University’s Master of Arts in Counseling program. Non-degree-seeking student applications and registrations are permitted by those students who would like to strengthen an existing or emphasis, develop a new area of interest, or complete requirements for a new profession. Non-degree-seeking student registration will be granted only to those students who are not pursuing a master’s degree in counseling at Lakeland University.

Non-degree-seeking student status is available for those who possess a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution. Non-degree-seeking students are required to complete a Graduate Admission Application and are subject to the following unique policies:

• Non-degree-seeking students are only allowed to register for up to twelve (12) semester hours.
• Enrollment in courses is on a space-available or standby basis. Students fully admitted or on conditional admission status into the M.A. in Counseling program will be given priority in all courses.
• With the exception of applicable Veterans Benefits, no financial aid is available.
• Application for non-degree-seeking registration enrollment must be made, in writing, to the Admissions Advisor.
• Practicum, Internship and Independent Study courses are not available to non-degree-seeking students.
• Non-degree-seeking students must meet all identified course prerequisites.

For more information about the non-degree-seeking student program and tuition costs, please contact an Admissions Advisor.