Master of Arts in counseling
Our Council for the Accreditation of Counseling (CACREP) accredited Counseling M.A. program is among the oldest and most prestigious counseling programs in the country. Our cutting-edge training approach offers hybrid and in-person courses that support students in simultaneously building foundational knowledge and clinical skills.
The CAAHEP - accredited Art Therapy program, integrated within Clinical Mental Health Counseling as a "concentration" in art therapy, prepares students as competent entry-level art therapists, in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
Students’ CMHC +AC programs culminate in applied clinical experience in our state-of-the-art, on-site training clinic and in off-campus internships. The counseling faculty believes that our students are the foundation of our program, and thus, we strive to offer top quality, hands-on training to prepare the most competent and ethical professional counselors and art therapists.
Important dates
-
March 1: Fall semester applications due
-
September 1: Application for winter semester due
Concentrations
- Fall and Winter Admits
- Clinical Mental Health (CMHC)
- School Counseling (SC)
- Concentrations may be combined, consult advisor
- Fall Admits
-
- Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC)
- Art Therapy (AT)
Prerequisites
Applicants are expected to meet the minimum undergraduate 2.5 GPA requirement outlined by WSU Undergraduate Admissions.
Students applying for the art therapy concentration must have 12 semester credits in psychology including general psychology, abnormal psychology, and developmental psychology, as well as 18 semester credits in studio art, including drawing, painting, sculpture or ceramics. The Art Therapy (AT) prepares students as counselor/art therapists who are eligible to earn both counseling (LPC) and art therapy (A.T.R.) professional credentials following graduation. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program. FAQs for the Art Therapy program, career, licensure, certification information and newsletters. Handbook for Art Therapy students.
Wayne State University and college scholarships and financial information for students.
Course Requirements
Students are required to maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 throughout the program classes and practicum experience, with no more than one grade of C+ or lower. Students who earn a second C will not be permitted to continue in the program. Grades of B- and lower, or patterns of grades only in the B range, are of concern, and intervention may be warranted. Grades reflect content mastery and affect how well students perform on the national exam.
Methods of Instruction include hybrid, online and in person instruction methods, including experiential activities, lecture, readings, inquiry based learning and cooperative group work.
Plans of Work
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling + Art Therapy *(admission information), **(Graduation criteria)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- Combined Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and School Counseling
- Combined School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- School Counseling
*To learn more about the Art Therapy program for admission information, differences in the program, tuition, portfolio, careers, licensure, certification information and program newsletters, visit our FAQs.
**Upon completion of all credits on students' plans of work, students are eligible for graduation (degree awarded). Completion of credits means that all credits are completed, including internship (AT 7890/CED7020) and masters essay (AT 7999). For full instructions and guidelines, visit Graduation and Commencements.
Curriculum
Semester I
Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Total | 9 |
CED 6005 Professional Counseling: Orientation | 3 |
CED 6015 Diversity, Multicultural Competence, and Social Justice Advocacy for Human Service Professionals | 3 |
CED 6025 Counseling Theories, Philosophies, and Techniques | 3 |
Semester II
Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Total | 9 |
EDP 7370 Psychopathology | 3 |
EDP 7410 Human Development Psychology | 3 |
CED 6045 Professional Counseling Laws and Ethics | 3 |
Semester III
Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Total | 9 |
CED 6055 Testing and Assessment for Counselors | 3 |
EER 7640 Research | 3 |
CED 6065 Career Development & Employment Strategies | 3 |
Semester IV
Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Total | 9 |
CED 6075 Trauma: Conceptualizing and Treatment Planning | 3 |
CED 6085 Sexuality | 3 |
CED 7305 Clinical Counseling Roles: Consultation, Collaboration, and Coordination | 3 |
Semester V
Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Total | 9 |
CED 6095 Introduction to Counseling Groups | 2 |
CED 6096 Group Counseling Participation | 1 |
Elective I | 3 |
CMHC: TBD Systemic Theories and Family Counseling | 3 |
Semester VI
Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Total | 6 |
CED 6105 Individual and Systemic Approaches to Treating Addictions | 3 |
CED 7005 Counseling Skills | 3 |
Semester VII
Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Total | 4 |
CED 7015 Counseling Practicum | 4 |
Semester VIII
Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Total | 3 |
CED 7020 Counseling Internship | 3 |
Semester IX
Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Total | 3 |
CED 7020 Counseling Internship | 3 |
Art Therapy courses
Students in the art therapy concentration will be required to take the following courses:
Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Total | 33 |
AT 6320 Art Therapy: Introduction and Ethics | 3 |
AT 6340 Theory of Art Therapy | 3 |
AT 7500 Cultural and Social Diversity | 3 |
AT 7300 Studio Art Therapy | 3 |
AT 7330 Art Therapy with Children and Adolescents | 3 |
AT 7340 Art Therapy Assessment and Practice with Adults and Families | 3 |
AT 7310 Art Therapy with Groups | 3 |
AT 7000 Research in Art Therapy | 3 |
AT 7999 Art Therapy Masters Project and Specialization | 3 |
AT 7380 Art Therapy Practicum | 3 |
AT 7890 Art Therapy Internship | 3 |
School counseling courses
Students in the school counseling concentration will be required to take the following courses:
Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Total | 9 |
SC: CED 7105 Introduction to School Counseling, Consulting, and Collaboration | 3 |
CED 7115 Advanced School Counseling | 3 |
SC: CED 7125 School Counseling: Post-Secondary Planning and College Counseling | 3 |
Rehabilitation counseling courses
Students in the rehabilitation counseling concentration will be required to take the following courses:
Courses | Cr. Hrs. |
---|---|
Total | 12 |
CED 7205 Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
CRC: CED 7215 Medical Aspects of Disability | 3 |
CRC: CED 7225 Psychosocial Aspects of Disability | 3 |
CED 7235 Rehabilitation Counseling Professional Roles | 3 |
Program Mission Statement
In keeping with the urban mission of Wayne State University, the M.A. program in Counselor Education prepares professional counselors who are knowledgeable in counseling theories and techniques, who can translate theories and evidence-based strategies into effective practice, who are committed to respecting diversity among all people and who ascribe to the highest ethical standards and practices.
Program Objectives
- Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical, philosophical and evidenced based research assumptions of counseling processes and techniques in clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling and school counseling programs.
- Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to challenge personal beliefs and biases promote advocacy and social justice for diverse populations.
- Students will understand the legal, ethical and professional issues that impact the fields of clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and rehabilitation counseling.
- Students will be able to translate theories and evidenced based strategies into effective practices in a culturally diverse society.
Annual Program Outcome Report 2021
The College of Education Counseling Program areas submit an annual vital statistics report to the Council for the Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The following data are made available to stakeholders for each CACREP-accredited counseling program as per CACREP Standard 4.E:
Program | Rehabilitation Counseling | Clinical Mental | School Counseling |
---|---|---|---|
Number of Graduates | 14 | 35 | 11 |
Completion Rate | 71% | 70% | 49% |
Licensure/Certification | 84% | 84% | 84% |
Job Placement Rate of graduates actively seeking employment | 84% | 84% | 84% |
Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP)
The WSU College of Education Counseling program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP).

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
The Wayne State University Art Therapy Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.

Center For Credentialing & Education
Wayne State University has been qualified by the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. (CCE) as a Registered Credential Training Provider, RCTP1002-ACS, to provide training courses qualified for credit for eligibility for the Approved Clinical Supervisor Credential with the course: CED 9120: Seminar & Internship Supervising Counselors.
Wayne State University has been qualified by the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. (CCE) as a Registered Credential Training Provider, RCTP1001-GCDF, to provide training courses qualified for credit for eligibility for the Global Career Development Facilitator Credential with the course: CED 6065: Career Development and Employment Strategies.
Contact
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Shirley Mack, Ph.D.
Lecturer
313-577-1659
shirley.mack@wayne.edu
School Counseling
Thomas Michalos, Ph.D.
Lecturer
313-577-4598
thomas.michalos@wayne.edu
Rehabilitation Counseling
Sameerah Davenport, Ph.D.
Lecturer
313-577-9356
sameerah.davenport@wayne.edu
Art Therapy
Holly Feen, Ph.D.
Associate professor
313-577-1823
hfeen@wayne.edu
Theoretical & Behavioral Foundations
Phone: 313-577-1613
Career insights
This tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.