What You Will Learn in the MS in Professional Counseling Degree Program

Professional counselor assesses young depressed female

Grand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Professional Counseling is offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and designed for professionals who wish to advance their career and improve their ability to help individuals who struggle with mental and emotional health disorders.

While the requirements for licensing vary by state, a master’s degree in counseling is necessary if you plan to become a licensed counselor. After completing this program’s coursework, you may be ready to meet the requirements for becoming a licensed associate counselor (LAC) or licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Arizona. Read on for an introduction to what you will learn while earning this degree.

Counseling Topics and Disorder Specializations

Learners in this professional counseling degree complete coursework and counseling practice that prepares them to provide services for clients with diverse emotional, psychological or mental disabilities and challenges. You will study a broad range of counseling topics, as well as specializations like trauma, addiction and substance use, to prepare you to address different disorders in clinical or private practice.

Counseling Theories and Patient Treatment

By exploring various counseling theories and social and cultural diversity in counseling, this program will prepare you to help patients improve their lives. Psychopharmacology and addictions, the physical effects of addictive drugs, the role of counseling in treatment psychopathology and the administration of group testing are also covered.

Professional Methods and Counseling Practice

The courses in the degree are designed to meet the academic requirements established by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and National Board for Certified Counselors. After obtaining the proper licensure, graduates of this program can go on to treat individuals suffering from emotional, social and psychological disabilities in clinical or independent settings.

To discover more about Grand Canyon University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, visit the website or click the Request More Information button on this page.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

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