Counselor Education, MA
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
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Maintaining Good Standing
MA students in the Department of Counselor Education must meet the following standards in order to remain in their degree programs and advance to candidacy and remain a candidate for a degree:
- maintain a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00;
- successfully complete practicums and internships;
- maintain professional behavior consistent with the ACA Code of Ethics (American Counseling Association) and any additional code of professional ethics adhered to in any agency in which a student completes a practicum or internship; and
- demonstrate progress toward the degree through successful completion of semester hours specified in the curriculum plan and active registration each session (exceptions may be approved by the advisor).
Each student's academic and professional progress is reviewed annually.
Probational Status
Students who earn a cumulative GPA lower than 3.00 are placed on probational status and are notified in writing. Students on probational status have two consecutive sessions to raise their GPA to the established standard. If that requirement is not met, a student may be removed from the program. Students are allowed one probational status during their program of study.
Learning Outcomes
Counselor Education Standards
The following are the standards of the Department of Counselor Education at the University of Iowa, which are the key performance indicators for MA students:
- acquire the awareness, knowledge, and skills of a professional counselor and/or counselor educator;
- develop a process of ongoing reflective practice in relation to cultural humility and the profession’s multicultural, social justice, and ethical counseling competencies and education;
- develop counseling skills that will address problems in living from a developmental/life span approach;
- cultivate a commitment to ethical practices and behavior in counseling, counselor education, supervision, and research; and
- acquire an understanding of the social, vocational, educational, and psychological needs of individuals served in various settings such as schools, vocational, or counseling centers.
Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Academics
University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.
Admissions
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.
The Master of Arts program in counselor education with a clinical mental health counseling subprogram requires a minimum of 60 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a graduate program grade-point average of at least 3.00. Full-time students can complete the program in approximately 20 months (four semesters).
The program prepares professional counselors to provide assistance with psychological wellness through flexible, consumer-oriented therapy to individuals experiencing various problems in living, including mental disorders and substance abuse. They combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical, problem-solving approach that creates a dynamic efficient path for change and problem resolution.
Clinical mental health counselors work in a variety of settings, including public government agencies; private practice; community mental health agencies; managed behavioral health care organizations; integrated delivery systems; hospitals, including the Veteran’s Administration; employee assistance programs; and substance abuse treatment centers. They provide interventions designed to help individuals with their immediate needs such as assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy, treatment planning, brief and solution-focused therapy, alcoholism and substance abuse treatment, psychoeducational and prevention, and crisis management.
The MA subprogram in clinical mental health counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Graduates of the program are eligible for certification by the National Board for Certified Counselors. By completing the program's coursework, students also complete the courses they must take in order to apply for licensure as mental health counselors in Iowa. Students who complete the program and wish to seek licensure in other states should refer to the relevant state licensing board for specific requirements.
The curriculum blends academic work with supervised clinical experiences. Students take practicum and internship concurrently with academic courses. The program concludes with a full-time internship (40 hours per week) during a spring semester. Students are assigned to mental health agencies or facilities that meet CACREP accreditation standards and that have programs or clientele aligned with a student's interests and educational objectives. Clinical placements require criminal background checks. Supervised practicums, internships, and final examinations are not offered during summer sessions.
The MA in counselor education with a clinical mental health counseling subprogram requires the following work.
Required Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| CSED:5202 | Introduction to Group Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5203 | Career Development and Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5221 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5241 | Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice | 3 |
| CSED:5248 | Diagnosis and Treatment Planning for Traditional, Vulnerable, and Special Populations in Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5249 | Medical, Psychopathological, and Psychosocial Aspects of Health and Disability | 3 |
| CSED:5250 | Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5254 | Assessment and Appraisal | 3 |
| CSED:5278 | Applied Microcounseling | 3 |
| CSED:6342 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| CSED:6349 | Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:6352 | Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 12 |
| CSED:6353 | Pre-Practicum and Case Management in Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:6500 | Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
Electives
In consultation with their advisors, students choose 9 s.h. (from a minimum of 3 courses) in elective coursework. Students are permitted to select coursework numbered 3000 and above from counselor education (prefix CSED), teaching and learning (prefix EDTL), educational policy and leadership studies (prefix EPLS), and psychological and quantitative foundations (prefix PSQF). Students are encouraged to select from the following course list, as these courses are curated for counselor education students.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSED:4110 | Psychology of Food and Mood | 3 |
| CSED:4113 | Sleep, Sleep Deprivation, and Sleep Disorders | 3 |
| CSED:4114 | Psychology of Body Modification and Self-Image | 3 |
| CSED:4130 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| CSED:4131 | Loss, Death, and Bereavement | 3 |
| CSED:4132 | Introduction to Addictions and Impulse Control Disorders | 3 |
| CSED:4162 | Introduction to Couple and Family Therapy | 3 |
| CSED:4173 | Trauma Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| CSED:4174 | Positive Psychology | 3 |
| CSED:4175 | Motivational Interviewing | 3 |
| CSED:4176 | Child Abuse: Assessment, Intervention, and Advocacy | 3 |
| CSED:4179 | Sexuality Within the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CSED:4185 | Introduction to Substance Abuse | 3 |
| CSED:4187 | Introduction to Assistive Technology | 3 |
| CSED:5280 | Topical Seminar in Counselor Education (may be taken more than once if the topic differs) | arr. |
| CSED:5400 | Suicide and Crisis Intervention in Counseling | 2-3 |
| CSED:5500 | Telehealth Skills in Clinical Mental Health | 3 |
Final Examination
The final examination consists of a departmental comprehensive portfolio that documents knowledge, skills, and dispositions on the process and practice of clinical mental health counseling. Exams are offered only during fall and spring semesters.
Admission
Applicants must meet the department's general admission requirements. They should have a good academic record and relevant experiences. No specific undergraduate major area of study is required for the MA program, but a major in one of the social sciences is considered good preparation. Postbaccalaureate work and volunteer experiences relevant to the field of mental health counseling are preferred. The program encourages applications from persons historically underrepresented in the field, particularly those with a disability and/or members of underrepresented groups. A personal interview is required.
Although students may be admitted for any semester, the program highly recommends that full-time students begin in the fall.
The Master of Arts program in counselor education with a clinical rehabilitation counseling subprogram requires a minimum of 60 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a graduate program grade-point average of at least 3.00. Full-time students can complete the program in approximately 20 months (four semesters).
The program prepares graduates to meet and support the psychological, social, emotional, career, and independent living goals of people with disabilities through the counseling process.
Clinical rehabilitation counselors work in a variety of settings, such as state vocational rehabilitation programs and Veterans Affairs vocational rehabilitation programs, independent living centers, community-based mental health centers and supported employment, psychiatric rehabilitation programs, transition from school to work programs, and insurance companies and private rehabilitation agencies.
Clinical rehabilitation counselors are a specialized type of counselor who work alongside people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities to support them in achieving greater independence, improving their quality of life, and reaching personal, social, and vocational goals.
Graduates of the program are eligible for certification by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC), as well as licensure by the Iowa Board of Behavioral Science (LMHC), with specific advising.
The curriculum blends academic work with supervised clinical experiences. Students take one semester of practicum and one semester of internship concurrently with academic courses. The program concludes with a full-time internship (40 hours per week) during a spring semester. Students will do their fieldwork in sites that meet Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation standards and that have programs or clientele aligned with a student's interests and educational objectives. Clinical placements require criminal background checks.
The MA in counselor education with a clinical rehabilitation counseling subprogram requires the following work.
Required Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| CSED:5202 | Introduction to Group Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5203 | Career Development and Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5221 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5241 | Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice | 3 |
| CSED:5249 | Medical, Psychopathological, and Psychosocial Aspects of Health and Disability | 3 |
| CSED:5250 | Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5254 | Assessment and Appraisal | 3 |
| CSED:5260 | Diagnosis and Management of Mental Health, Substance Use, and Co-Occurring Disorders | 3 |
| CSED:5278 | Applied Microcounseling | 3 |
| CSED:6341 | The Professional Practice of Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:6342 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| CSED:6346 | Practicum in Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:6347 | Internship in Rehabilitation Counseling | 12 |
| CSED:6500 | Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
Electives
In consultation with their advisors, students choose 9 s.h. in elective coursework from a minimum of three courses. Students are permitted to select coursework numbered 3000 or above from counselor education (prefix CSED), teaching and learning (prefix EDTL), educational policy and leadership studies (prefix EPLS), and psychological and quantitative foundations (prefix PSQF). Students are encouraged to select from the following course list, as these courses are curated for counselor education students.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSED:4110 | Psychology of Food and Mood | 3 |
| CSED:4113 | Sleep, Sleep Deprivation, and Sleep Disorders | 3 |
| CSED:4114 | Psychology of Body Modification and Self-Image | 3 |
| CSED:4131 | Loss, Death, and Bereavement | 3 |
| CSED:4132 | Introduction to Addictions and Impulse Control Disorders | 3 |
| CSED:4142 | Working With Youth in Transition in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CSED:4162 | Introduction to Couple and Family Therapy | 3 |
| CSED:4173 | Trauma Across the Lifespan | 3 |
| CSED:4174 | Positive Psychology | 3 |
| CSED:4175 | Motivational Interviewing | 3 |
| CSED:4176 | Child Abuse: Assessment, Intervention, and Advocacy | 3 |
| CSED:4179 | Sexuality Within the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CSED:4185 | Introduction to Substance Abuse | 3 |
| CSED:4187 | Introduction to Assistive Technology | 3 |
| CSED:5248 | Diagnosis and Treatment Planning for Traditional, Vulnerable, and Special Populations in Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5253 | Forensic Rehabilitation and Case Management | 3 |
| CSED:5262 | Workplace Support for Chronic Illness and Substance Use Disorders | 3 |
| CSED:5264 | Integrated Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| CSED:5280 | Topical Seminar in Counselor Education | arr. |
| CSED:5400 | Suicide and Crisis Intervention in Counseling | 2-3 |
Final Examination
The final examination consists of a departmental comprehensive portfolio that documents knowledge, skills, and dispositions on the process and practice of clinical rehabilitation counseling. Exams are offered only during fall and spring semesters.
Admission
Applicants must meet the department's general admission requirements. They should have a good academic record and relevant experience such as assisting individuals with disabilities. No specific undergraduate major area of study is required for the MA program, but a major in one of the social sciences is considered good preparation. Postbaccalaureate work experience relevant to the field of clinical rehabilitation counseling is preferred. The program encourages applications from persons traditionally underrepresented in the field, particularly those with a disability and/or members of minority or ethnic groups. A personal interview is required.
Although students may be admitted for any semester, the program highly recommends that full-time students begin in the fall.
The Master of Arts program in counselor education with a school counseling subprogram requires a minimum of 60 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a graduate program grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00.
The program prepares individuals to work effectively as counselors in K–12 school settings. It is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Successful graduates are eligible for K–12 school counselor licensure in Iowa.
During the program, students take core counseling courses, including coursework focusing on counseling children and adolescents, school counseling programs, and courses focusing on clinical practice in the schools (practicum and internship). Students are expected to complete at least 100 clock hours in practicum and 600 clock hours in internship activities in an approved school setting, under the supervision of an experienced licensed school counselor and a university faculty supervisor.
All students are required to complete a background check the semester before they enroll in the practicum. Students who are not licensed teachers must complete coursework in education before enrolling in the practicum.
Each student's progress is reviewed periodically by the major advisor and yearly by the school counseling program. Students who have successfully completed all prerequisites for CSED:6300 Practicum in School Counseling are reviewed in the semester before they take the practicum course, to ensure that they are prepared for it. Additionally, students are evaluated to ensure their readiness for the internship CSED:6321 Internship in Elementary School Counseling or CSED:6322 Internship in Secondary School Counseling, which requires assignment to approved schools for the fall and/or spring semesters.
The MA in counselor education with a school counseling subprogram requires the following courses.
Required Courses
The following schedule of required courses reflects a two-year program of study. Students who have completed the required courses should consult with their advisor regarding electives in order to fulfill the 60 s.h. requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSED:4137 | Introduction to Educating Advanced Learners | 3 |
| CSED:5200 | Professional School Counselor | 3 |
| CSED:5202 | Introduction to Group Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5203 | Career Development and Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5204 | School Culture and Classroom Management for School Counselors | 3 |
| CSED:5221 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5222 | Counseling Children and Adolescents in Schools | 3 |
| CSED:5230 | School Counseling Program Leadership and Management | 3 |
| CSED:5249 | Medical, Psychopathological, and Psychosocial Aspects of Health and Disability | 3 |
| CSED:5250 | Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:5254 | Assessment and Appraisal | 3 |
| CSED:5278 | Applied Microcounseling | 3 |
| CSED:5400 | Suicide and Crisis Intervention in Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:6300 | Practicum in School Counseling | 3 |
| CSED:6321 | Internship in Elementary School Counseling (consult advisor for options) | 12 |
| or CSED:6322 | Internship in Secondary School Counseling | |
| CSED:6500 | Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
Electives
In consultation with their advisors, students earn 3 s.h. in elective coursework. Students are encouraged to select coursework numbered 3000 and above from counselor education (prefix CSED), teaching and learning (prefix EDTL), educational policy and leadership studies (prefix EPLS), and psychological and quantitative foundations (prefix PSQF). Additional course options may be approved by the student’s advisor as appropriate.
Final Examination
The final examination consists of a departmental examination about the process and practice of professional school counseling. Exams are offered only during fall and spring semesters.
Admission
Applicants must meet the department's general admission requirements. They should have an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher. The department prefers that applicants have either one year of teaching experience or other successful experiences with children and/or adolescents, which they must document in a written statement.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Counselor Education, MA
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Subprogram
- Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Subprogram
- School Counseling Subprogram
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Subprogram
This sample plan is currently being reviewed and will be added at a later date.
Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Subprogram
This sample plan is currently being reviewed and will be added at a later date.
School Counseling Subprogram
This sample plan is currently being reviewed and will be added at a later date.