Study Master’s in Counseling in Ohio
Whether you want to work with children or adults, people with addictions or marriage problems, or clients with serious mental or behavioral disorders, you can get the training you need in Ohio.
You must complete an approved graduate program to enter professional practice as a counselor. Fortunately, Ohio has many master’s programs in various counseling specialties. Many of these programs are only available in a face-to-face format. However, some colleges and universities in Ohio offer online options as well.
The benefit of getting your master’s degree in counseling online is that it offers you greater flexibility for completing your studies while continuing to work. As you will see in the list below of five popular online counseling programs, some offer coursework entirely online with in-person field experiences, while others blend in-person and online coursework with in-person field experiences.
Survey this list to familiarize yourself with the available programs and the benefits they offer you for your educational needs. From there, you can make a more informed decision about which program you will pursue.
Online Master’s in Counseling in Ohio
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online master’s in counseling in Ohio:
- John Carroll University
- Walsh University
- University of Toledo
- Malone University
- Butler University
- Southern New Hampshire University
- Capella University
- Grand Canyon University
- Indiana Wesleyan University
John Carroll University
Online Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
This MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from John Carroll University is a 60-credit cohort-based program. The cohort model means you progress through the program with the same classmates, which helps you develop professionally with a small, tight-knit group. Not only does this aid in your development as a counselor, but it also gives you a ready-made group of colleagues you can rely on when you graduate and begin your career.
A unique feature of this program is that it is an accelerated, structured online degree that takes just two years to complete (three years is much more common for programs like this). The program is highly structured, with many synchronous online classes and activities with set meeting times to accommodate a shorter time frame to graduate. Some asynchronous coursework with no set meeting times is included as well.
The curriculum follows a typical professional preparation in counseling. You will take courses in the following:
- Counseling Theories
- Counseling Techniques and Practice
- Group Procedures
- Tests and Measurements
- Diversity Issues in Counseling
A year-long clinical internship is also required. You will work with the university to find a suitable placement in your home state to complete the necessary internship hours. Additionally, you must attend two weekend residencies on the John Carroll campus in University Heights, Ohio.
This is a licensure-track program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Upon graduation, you will be eligible for licensure in Ohio as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or a Mental Health Counselor. Given that this is a CACREP-accredited program, you will likely be eligible for professional licensure in other states, though it’s best to check with your state’s licensure board before enrolling.
To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The GRE is not required, but you must submit the following when you apply:
- Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
- Two letters of recommendation
- A current resume
- A written statement of purpose that explains your personal interests and professional goals
An interview is also required.
Walsh University
Online Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Development
Walsh University’s MA in Counseling and Human Development not only gives you the flexibility of studying online, but it also gives you three specialization options to choose from:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- School Counseling
- Dual Mental Health and School Counseling degree
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling tracks are 60-credit programs that take a little more than three years to complete. You will need 4-4.5 years to complete the 78-credit dual track.
This program progresses one course at a time. This format is beneficial for a couple of reasons, including being more flexible with your work and life schedules and allowing you to dive deep into each topic without worrying about studying for other courses.
Though the coursework you complete is determined by the specialty you pursue, you will take the same core courses regardless of which track you choose. Topics of study include the following:
- Counseling theories and techniques
- Legal and ethical issues of counseling
- Multicultural counseling
- Psychopathology
- Professional foundations of counseling
You are required to complete field experiences as well, including both practicum and internship placements. Walsh University works with you to find appropriate field experience locations in or near your location to maximize convenience for you. You should plan to spend 20 hours per week at your selected training site during the practicum and internship phases of the program.
Though this program is not accredited by CACREP, Walsh University’s on-campus program is. The two programs are aligned, so the coursework and experiential learning you’ll complete online is the same as what’s provided on campus. Even though the online program isn’t CACREP-accredited, it is a licensure-track option, so you will be eligible to pursue licensure as a counselor upon graduation.
To qualify for admission to the counseling program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The GRE is not required if you have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
University of Toledo
Master of Arts in Counseling
The University of Toledo offers two options for completing your advanced degree in counseling: School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Both are offered in a hybrid format, with some of the coursework completed in person at the University of Toledo campus and other coursework completed online. To maximize flexibility, on-campus courses are once a week in the late afternoon or evening.
Both the School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling tracks are CACREP accredited. Both also require 60 credits and 2.5 years of full-time studies to complete. You will take courses focusing on various counseling issues, including multicultural counseling, social justice, and substance abuse. Other specialized areas of study include sex offender treatment, class and poverty issues in counseling, and sexual and gender diversity.
Core coursework includes the following:
- Counseling Theories and Applications
- Counseling Skills
- Group Counseling
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Individual and Group Assessment
You must also complete a 600-hour internship at an approved school or clinical counseling site. This component is required for eligibility as a professional counselor or professional school counselor in Ohio.
The University of Toledo also offers a Ph.D. in counseling. Though this program is not available online, it might be worth your consideration if you wish to obtain a terminal degree in this field from a renowned counseling program.
You can submit your graduate application for admission online at any time. To do so, you must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution and have a minimum 2.7 GPA. You must submit the following when applying:
- Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
- Three letters of recommendation
- GRE scores (if your undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.5)
Malone University
Online Master of Arts in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Malone University’s counseling program is unique in that you earn an MAED – a Master of Arts in Education. These programs are rare compared to the more common Master of Arts and Master of Science programs in counseling. This program is also unique in that you can choose from one of two online formats – synchronous or asynchronous.
With much more structure, a synchronous program is beneficial if you need consistent online class meetings to stay on top of your studies. However, if you are adept at independent study, an asynchronous format with no weekly online classes is a much more flexible option.
Both degree formats are CACREP-accredited and follow the same curriculum that prepares you for professional licensure as a counselor. You will take general counseling courses such as:
- Multicultural Counseling and Advocacy
- Group Dynamics, Process, and Counseling
- Research and Program Evaluation in Counseling
- Diagnosis of Mental Disorders
- Abnormal Psychology
Other coursework explores areas like addictions counseling, counseling adolescents, and trauma counseling. In addition to 51 credits of coursework, you must also complete nine credits of clinical experiences. The first component of this is a 100-hour supervised practicum (with at least 40 hours of client contact time) at an approved site.
You must also complete a two-part internship, each of which takes place in a supervised clinical setting where you participate in the diagnosis and treatment of clients. Each internship must include a minimum of 300 clock hours of clinical work.
To apply, you must have an undergraduate degree from a regionally-accredited college or university and a 3.0 GPA or higher to apply. Additionally, you must provide the following:
- Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
- Two letters of reference
- An autobiography
You will also participate in an online group interview with select counseling faculty members.
Indiana Wesleyan University
Online Master of Arts in Clinical Addictions Counseling
If you are passionate about working with people with an addiction and want to get your degree online, the MA in Clinical Addictions Counseling from Indiana Wesleyan is a viable option. Though the program isn’t based in Ohio, it prepares you to meet state licensure requirements and also prepares you to pursue national certification as Clinical Addictions Counselor.
This program, which is accredited by the National Association for Addiction Professionals, is a 48-credit program that requires about two years of studies to complete. During that time, you will explore topics like multicultural counseling, group counseling, and psychopathology. You will also take courses in the following:
- Appraisal of Individuals and Families
- Psychopharmacology
- Theories and Treatment of Addiction
- Counseling Addicted Families
- Issues in Addiction Recovery
Importantly, these courses don’t just focus on chemical addictions. Rather, you will gain expertise in treating clients that have addictions focused on gambling, sex, and eating.
In addition to your online coursework, you must also participate in a 100-hour supervised practicum that includes at least 50 direct contact hours with clients, 10 of which must be in a group setting. There are also two 300-hour internship experiences, both of which must include at least 150 direct contact hours with clients. The practicum can be completed at Indiana Wesleyan’s Marion, Indiana campus, in Indianapolis, or online. The internships can be completed at an approved site near you.
To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution. In addition, you should have a 3.0 GPA or higher in your last 30 credits of coursework and have at least six credits of psychology coursework, including three hours in abnormal psychology.
The following documentation must be provided when applying:
- Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
- Three recommendations
- GRE scores (if your GPA is lower than 3.25 or if you have fewer than 15 graduate credits)
- A writing sample
Applicants that show promise based on the application and supporting documentation will be invited to participate in an interview.
Counseling Work Opportunities in Ohio
As in many other states, Ohio is rife with job opportunities for counseling graduates. The question of what opportunities are available to you depends in large part on your counseling specialization.
For example, let’s assume you complete the MA in Clinical Addictions Counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University discussed earlier. With that training, you might pursue a career working in a residential addiction treatment center with clients with drug or alcohol abuse problems. In that context, you would provide individual counseling, group counseling, and perhaps couples and family counseling as well.
Alternatively, if you complete a graduate degree in school counseling, your most likely career path is to pursue licensure or certification that enables you to work in a public school setting. School counselors have many different responsibilities in Ohio, from providing career and college readiness to individual mental health counseling to school-wide counseling program development.
Perhaps the most flexible graduate counseling degree is the clinical mental health option. With a specialization in this field, you can work in various settings, from community mental health to private practice to hospitals and other health organizations. You might even work for a few years and elect to return to school to get a Ph.D. Doing so would qualify you for even more job opportunities, particularly in academics and research.
These are just a few options, of course. The foundation of your counseling career is built well before you graduate. Exploring your options now and determining which counseling specialty most interests you will enable you to choose the most appropriate counseling program and set yourself up for a successful career.
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