Counseling (MSC)

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program (MSC) at Milligan University is accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) (1001 North Fairfax St, Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22314; 703.535.5990).

The School Counseling (MSC) program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) (2010 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036; 202.466.7496).

The Milligan Counseling Center offers counseling services for the health and well-being of our campus community and provides an internship or practicum experience for Master of Science Counseling students. Learn more or schedule an appointment »

View all details and course requirements for this program in the Milligan University Catalog . The catalog is the official, authoritative source for all academic requirements and policies. Any discrepancies in curricular requirements from other sources will default to the catalog.

Milligan’s Master of Science in Counseling will prepare graduates to demonstrate excellence as servant leaders in the field of professional counseling.

Program Objectives:

• Students demonstrate excellence in professional counseling knowledge and skills and advance to candidacy. (short-term objective)
• Students complete the program, begin professional careers, and obtain professional licensure. (mid-term objective)
• Alumni are successful as evidenced by being LPCs in good standing, becoming site supervisors, and taking on leadership roles in professional and at large communities. (long-term objective)

Most classes are scheduled in late afternoons and evenings, with occasional day and weekend requirements (professional field experiences require day commitments). The CMHC program consists of six full semesters, including two summer sessions. You can complete the program in two years or go at your own pace. A new class of students enrolls each fall semester and follows a fall-spring-summer rotation, finishing after the second summer. Courses meet on the main campus of Milligan University in Northeast Tennessee, and some courses have an online format.

The SC program consists of five full semesters, including one summer session. You can complete the program in 21 months or go at your own pace. A new class of students enrolls each fall semester and follows a fall-spring-summer rotation, finishing after the second spring semester. Courses meet on the main campus of Milligan University in Northeast Tennessee, and some courses have an online format. All SC internships must take place in Tennessee per the Tennessee Department of Education.

11 students enrolled in CMHC (general & AC); 10 completed program to date (6 general CMHC; 4 AC CMHC).  91% completion rate. 

4 students enrolled in SC; 2 completed program to date- 2 scheduled to complete in Dec.

100% completion rate of those who have taken NCE, and 100% pass rate of Praxis II exam.

11 graduates obtained licensure (including temporary licensure) in TN as a professional counselor in 2023-2024.

100% employment rate of those seeking employment in the Counseling field (CMHC & SC). 

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)

After completing the Master of Science in Counseling degree and completing a minimum of two years (at least 10 hours per week) of supervised professional experience, graduates are eligible to sit for licensure in Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia as a Licensed Professional Counselor.   A determination of eligibility has not been made for other states.  Reciprocity agreements may allow TN licensure to apply in other states. Students and applicants should check specific state requirements before applying to or enrolling in the program.

For a general overview of requirements to become a licensed professional counselor, students and applicants are encouraged to visit the ACA Knowledge Center website at https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements/overview-of-state-licensing-of-professional-counselors. Students and applicants can click on the following link to find specific state resources and licensing requirements: State Professional Counselor Licensure Boards.

School Counseling The program prepares graduates to pursue licensure as a school counselor in the state of Tennessee.  A determination of eligibility for licensure has not been made in other states.  Students and applicants should check specific state requirements before applying to or enrolling in the program.

For a general overview of requirements to become a licensed school counselor, students and applicants are encouraged to visit the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) website at schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/State-Requirements-Programs. Students and applicants can click on the link from that page to find their specific state licensure requirements for school counselors or schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/State-Requirements-Programs/state-licensure-requirements.

2022-2023 Program Evaluation
Vital Statistics Summary Report

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:
   • 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)
   • DISCOUNTED PRE-REQ COURSES: You might be able to take some prerequisite courses at Milligan at a reduced rate. Learn more »
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. Applicants for whom the GRE is required must score at the 50^th percentile or higher. Request that your official GRE scores be sent to Milligan’s Office of Graduate & Professional Studies. Milligan University’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.
8. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: This program is approved by SEVIS to accept international applicants. International students must complete the application requirements for this program AND the international application requirements and immigration/visa process outlined here » 

PLEASE RETURN ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS TO:

Office of Graduate & Professional Studies
PO Box 22
Milligan, 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 University at 800.262.8337 or 423.461.8424 or by email.

The Early Acceptance Program (EAP) provides Milligan 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.

All students at Milligan are expected to uphold the expectations and responsibilities for student lifestyles at Milligan University. Milligan University 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 University. A student’s matriculation and enrollment at Milligan University is their pledge to uphold the policies and expectations outlined in the Student Handbook and Catalog.