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  

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in the behavioral sciences, or 9 undergraduate semester hours in courses related to human services or behavioral science with grades of at least BC or equivalent in each of the courses
• One of the following:
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale, or
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale and a score of at least 420 on the Miller Analogy Test, or
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale and a GPA of at least 3.00 in the final 48 credits of the undergraduate degree, or
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale and at least 6 semester hours of approved advanced-undergraduate or graduate coursework (with a grade of B or better in each course) beyond the candidate’s earned bachelor’s degree
• Two letters of recommendation indicating applicant’s potential for academic and personal success at the graduate level
• A two- to three-page personal essay
• A current resume
• Onsite formal interview
• A completed background check

Admissions decisions are made by the program director with consideration of the candidate’s application in its entirety.

Non-Degree-Seeking Student Policy

Students not pursuing a master’s degree in counseling at Lakeland University, may apply to be non-degree-seeking in Lakeland University’s Master of Arts in Counseling program. Students in non-degree seeking status enroll in courses to strengthen an existing or add a new emphasis, develop a new area of interest, or complete requirements for a new profession.

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 may register for up to twelve (12) semester hours.
• Enrollment in courses is on a space-available or standby basis. Students fully admitted 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.
• Practicum, Internship and Independent Study courses are not available to non-degree-seeking students.
• Non-degree-seeking students must meet all identified course prerequisites including:
  • Submission of a Criminal Background Check received from Wisconsin Department of Justice or student’s state of residence.

For more information about the non-degree-seeking status, completion of an application and tuition costs, please contact an Admissions Advisor.

MAC Satisfactory Academic Progression Policy

Satisfactory Programmatic Progress: To remain eligible for continued progression in the MAC program at Lakeland University the following criteria must be met:

1. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 each semester in the MAC program.
2. Students must earn a minimum grade of “B”, satisfactory achievement, in all required MAC courses.
3. Students must successfully retake any MAC course in which they earned less than a “B”.

Students not meeting these standards can be placed on programmatic probation or suspension.

Refer to the MAC student handbook for more information about the policy and processes to follow.