Master of Science in Counseling

This program will prepare you to use a combination of mental health and human development principles, methods, and techniques to help people achieve mental, emotional, social, and career development and adjustment. You will be able to work in a variety of settings, such as private, institutional, community, Christian, military, or nonprofit, providing counseling to individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations.

Emotional and Mental Health

Counselors help people cope with emotional and mental problems stemming from marital and family issues, antisocial behavior, occupational stress, interpersonal relations, and bereavement. Professional counselors help clients identify goals and potential solutions to problems, improve communication and coping skills, strengthen self-esteem, and promote behavior change and optimal mental health.

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)

After completing the Master of Science in Counseling degree and completing a minimum of two years (at least 10 hours a week) of supervised professional experience, graduates are eligible to sit for licensure in Tennessee as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Reciprocity agreements may allow TN licensure to apply in other states. Students should check other state requirements before applying to the program.

Read more about Licensed Professional Counselors »

In-Demand Profession

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of mental health counselors is expected to grow by 24% between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Medial annual wages of mental health counselors in 2014 are $40,580. Industries employing the largest numbers of mental health counselors include local government, other health practitioners, outpatient care centers, individual and family services, and residential mental health and substance abuse facilities.

Curriculum

The clinical mental health counseling program is a two-year, 60 credit hour curriculum that prepares graduates to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The curriculum consists of 42 credit hours of required coursework in human behavior and development, evidence-based practice, effective counseling strategies, ethical practice, and other core knowledge areas; 9 credit hours of clinical experience (practicum and internships); and 9 elective hours from selected topics such as crisis intervention, substance abuse counseling, child and adolescent counseling, child sexual abuse, end of life issues, and physiological psychology and pscyhopharmacology. Because Milligan is a Christian college, part of the required coursework includes an ongoing discussion and examination of the theoretical and practical aspects of the integration of faith and learning.

VIEW CATALOG FOR THIS PROGRAM »

The program will prepare you to pursue licensure as a school counselor. The school counseling curriculum consists of 48 credit hours for licensed teachers or 54 credit hours for students without teaching licensure. Both the licensure and non-licensure tracks include  supervised internships in elementary and secondary schools that provide direct experience. Because Milligan is a Christian college, part of the required coursework includes an ongoing discussion and examination of the theoretical and practical aspects of the integration of faith and learning.

In-Demand Profession

Employment of school and career counselors is expected to grow by 19 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rising student enrollments in elementary, middle and high schools are expected to increase demand for school counselors. As enrollments grow, schools will require more counselors to respond to the needs of their students.

Curriculum

The School Counseling concentrations (Concentrations Two and Three) are either a two-year, 48 credit hour curriculum (for those students who are already licensed teachers) or a two-year 54 credit hour curriculum (for those students who are not licensed teachers). The curricula consist of 27 credit hours in core courses in human behavior and development, effective counseling strategies, ethical practice, and other core knowledge areas; 9 credit hours of clinical experience (practicum and internship); and 12 hours in courses involving counseling and assessment of children and adolescents and other issues specific to educational settings. Those students who are not licensed teachers complete 6 additional hours in curriculum methods and education of exceptional students.

VIEW CATALOG FOR THIS PROGRAM »

NEXT START DATE: FALL 2019

PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 1

APPLY NOW »

How to Apply

In order to be considered for admission for this program, the minimum requirements and steps are as follows:

1. PREREQUISITES: An undergraduate degree that includes the following prerequisite courses (you might be able to take many of these courses at Milligan at a reduced rate…ask us for details):
   • At least 9 hours of psychology courses, including General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Research Methods or Statistics
   • Computer Competency (3 hrs) (can be fulfilled through documented computer competency)
2. UNDERGRAD DEGREE: Completed baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited college with overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.
3. APPLICATION: Completed application with personal statement.  Apply online!
4. TRANSCRIPTS: Official transcripts from every college attended whether or not the applicant graduated from that school must be mailed by your college(s) directly to Milligan.
5. GRE: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required if an applicant’s overall undergraduate grade point average is 3.00 or higher. If not, request that your official GRE scores be sent to Milligan’s Office of Graduate & Professional Studies. Milligan College’s GRE code is 1469.
6. REFERENCES: Two professional or educational recommendations will be requested from within the online application.
7. INTERVIEW: On-campus interview scheduled for qualified applicants.

Please return all application materials to:

Office of Graduate & Professional Studies
PO Box 22
Milligan College, TN 37682

Please feel free to contact the Office of Graduate & Professional Studies to verify the receipt of the above application requirements. If you have any questions, please contact the college at 800.262.8337 or 423.461.8424 or by e-mail.

Expectations and Responsibilities

All students at Milligan are expected to uphold the expectations and responsibilities for student lifestyles at Milligan College. Milligan College adopts specific rules on the basis of the belief that God’s Word, as the final rule of faith and practice, speaks on many matters pertaining to personal conduct. Therefore, behavior that conflicts with Scripture is unacceptable. Historically, communities also have developed guidelines that help put into practice basic moral and social principles. Such standards serve as a guide toward worthwhile goals relevant to one’s academic, spiritual, social, and physical well-being.

Students should consult the Student Handbook for further guidance regarding acceptable personal lifestyle and conduct while enrolled at Milligan College. A student’s matriculation and enrollment at Milligan College is their pledge to uphold the policies and expectations outlined in the Student Handbook and Catalog.

International Students

International students whose native language is not English or do not hold a bachelor’s degree completed in residency in the U.S. must also provide proof of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of at least 79 or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 6.5.

After a student is admitted, there is required documentation to submit BEFORE form I-20 can be issued.  Students may begin gathering and submitting this information even prior to admission, but no I-20 will be issued until a prospect has been fully admitted AND has submitted the required documentation. International students should click here for information on the immigration/visa process »

Early Acceptance Program: MSC

The Early Acceptance Program (EAP) provides Milligan College undergraduate students with a unique financial and academic opportunity to apply and commit early to the MSC in order to receive lower tuition rates and secure their spot early in the program.

 Benefits

• Locks in tuition rate
• Secure your spot in the program
• Lighten your course load during the MSC program by taking 1-2 MSC courses as an undergraduate

Requirements & Process

1. MILLIGAN UNDERGRAD: Be a Milligan undergraduate student (any major eligible; prerequisites are required)
2. PARTICIPATION FORM: By fall of junior or senior year, complete and submit (to the GPS Office) the Participation form* for the EAP, which requires approval signatures from both your undergraduate advisor and MSC faculty director
3. APPLY TO MSC: Complete the MSC admission process, be admitted, and pay deposit by following deadline in order to lock-in that year’s tuition rate:
   • JUNIORS – by APRIL 15
   • SENIORS – by NOV 15
4. COURSEWORK: Complete the MSC graduate coursework for the Accelerated Plan
   • JUNIORS can take two MSC courses their senior year (one course each semester) in addition to their normal undergraduate course load.
   • SENIORS can take one MSC course the spring of their senior year in addition to their normal undergraduate course load.

*Approval to declare the Early Acceptance Program is not a guarantee of your admission to the Milligan MSC program.