The Counselor Education Master of Education (M.Ed) program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore prepares professional counselors in one of two specializations:  Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or School Counseling. This is a 60 credit program.  All courses are held in the evenings, with one course offered on an intensive weekend format. Clinical experiences (practicum and internship) must be completed during operating hours of the clinic, agency, or school internship site and should be completed in settings on the Eastern Shore.

Upon graduation, candidates for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization will have completed all of the academic requirements to sit for their licensure exam in order to become a Licensed Graduate Professional Counselor (LGPC), which allows them to practice under the supervision of a qualified, licensed supervisor in an agency or private practice setting in the state of Maryland.  After completion of required supervised hours after graduation, graduates are eligible to apply to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), which allows them to practice independently in the state of Maryland. If a student desires to practice in a state other than Maryland, then they must inquire about requirements for the state in which they desire to practice.  

Upon graduation, candidates for the School Counseling Specialization meet all of the requirements to become a Certified School Counselor in the state of Maryland.  Graduates who are interested in practicing in other states will need to meet the requirements of that state for transferring licenses or certifications. See the section on Licensure and Certification below for more details.

Admissions requirements

Regular Admission

To be considered for regular admission, an application includes:

• Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Essay
• Three Letters of recommendation
  
  

       Application Deadline for Fall Admission: May 1^st

       Application Deadline for Spring Admission: Nov. 1^st

       Application Deadline for Summer Admission:  April 1^st

Provisional Admission

Provisional status may be granted to exceptional applicants who do not meet all of the                  requirements for admission.  For such applicants, the following areas will be evaluated:

• potential for academic success 
• ability to enter in counseling relationships as a helper, 
• readiness to take advantage of the learning opportunities in the program, 
• prior life experiences, coursework, and relevant professional history. 
  
  

Applicants who possess an overall GPA of 2.75 may be admitted to Provisional Status. Provisional Status students must maintain a 3.30 average in the first nine approved credit hours of graduate level courses in the Counselor Education program. A student who is considered to have potential for success, but lacks adequate course preparation for Counselor Education, may be asked to complete additional courses to enhance their background in related fields. 

Counselor Education Academic Requirements

The course of instruction will involve the successful completion of 60 credits with at least a 3.0 GPA, leading to a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree. In order to graduate from the Counselor Education program, students must successfully complete the following:

       A minimum of 60 credit hours, which includes:

       100 hour practicum (3 credits)

       600 hour internship (6 credits)

       Reflective Portfolio Project (3 credits)

       Comprehensive Exam

The School Counseling specialization prepares graduates to become professional school counselors within pre K-12 public and private schools. 

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore prepares professional school counselors who are transformational leaders, collaborators, and social justice advocates for the educational, career and social-emotional success of ALL students.  Our focus is on evidence-based counseling, prevention/mental health promotion, and systemic change in order to close achievement and attainment gaps and achieve positive impacts on students as evidenced by outcome data. Our curriculum is based on national standards and best practice models.  UMES students in the school counseling specialization embrace professionalism, reflective practice, innovation, diversity, and effective delivery of services to their communities.

The School Counseling specialization is nationally accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and state approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

Students who meet all of the requirements of the school counseling specialization also meet the requirements for certification as school counselors in the state of Maryland.  Reciprocity is available in some states for students who wish to receive certification in another state, while some states may have additional requirements.  For information on individual state requirements, students should contact that state's Department of Education. 

Courses Required of all Students in both Specializations 36 credits (3 credits each):

CNED 604 - Theories and Techniques of Counseling

EDUC 620 - Human Growth and Development

EDUC 690 - Introduction to Behavioral Research

CNED 640 - Group Processes in Counseling

CNED 670 - Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling

CNED 645 - Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Counseling

CNED 655 - Social Diversity in Counseling

CNED 605 - Assessment in Counseling

CNED 660 - Crisis Management in Counseling

CNED 635 - Diagnosis and Psychopathology

CNED 606 - Clinical Applications in Counseling

CNED 675 - Professional Knowledge Skills and Practices

School Counseling Specialization Courses 24 credits (3 credits each):

CNED 601 - Introduction to School Counseling

CNED 632 - College and Career Readiness Counseling

CNED 643 - Counseling Children and Adolescents

CNED 646 - Organization and Administration of School Counseling Programs

SPED 600 - Characteristics of Exceptional Individuals

CNED 671 - Practicum in School Counseling

CNED 677 - Internship in School Counseling I

CNED 697 - Internship in School Counseling II

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization prepares general practitioners for employment working with children, adolescents, and/or adults in settings as diverse as outpatient mental health agencies, clinical assessment centers, college counseling centers, hospitals, community advocacy organizations, and private practice.

Our program emphasizes social justice to promote the practice of professional counseling.  Our curriculum teaches counselors in training to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, including addictive disorders.  Counselors' training in the provision of counseling and therapy includes the etiology of mental illness and substance abuse disorders, and the provision of the well-established treatments of cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, and psychodynamic therapy. Counselors' education and training is oriented toward the adoption of a truly client centered, and not primarily illness centered, approach to therapy.  Our program is committed to educating counselors who will serve as advocates for all clients and work to close mental health access and outcomes gaps.  We prepare forward-thinking clinical mental health counselors who are advocates, leaders, and collaborators.

Requirements (total 60 credits)

Courses Required of all Students in both Specializations 36 credits (3 credits each):

CNED 604 - Theories and Techniques of Counseling

EDUC 620 - Human Growth and Development

EDUC 690 - Introduction to Behavioral Research

CNED 640 - Group Processes in Counseling

CNED 670 - Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling

CNED 645 - Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Counseling

CNED 655 - Social Diversity in Counseling

CNED 605 - Assessment in Counseling

CNED 660 - Crisis Management in Counseling

CNED 635 - Diagnosis and Psychopathology

CNED 606 - Clinical Applications in Counseling

CNED 675 - Professional Knowledge Skills and Practices

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization Courses 24 credits (3 credits each):

CNED 602 - Introduction to Clinical Mental Health Counseling

CNED 631 - Career and Life Development

CNED 636 - Substance Abuse Counseling

CNED 637 - Treating Emotional Disturbances

CNED 612 - Marriage and Family Counseling

CNED 672 - Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

CNED 679 - Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling I

CNED 699 - Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling II

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