Professional Counseling Program Mission Statement and Program Objectives
The CACREP-accredited Master of Education in Professional Counseling program prepares students with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions necessary for professional counseling practice. Students select one of two concentrations: PreK-12 School Counseling or Mental Health Counseling.
Prospective students are encouraged to consult with the Professional Counseling Program Director regarding the program, curriculum, and alignment with their professional goals. Once admitted, students work with their faculty advisor regarding course sequencing, program requirements, and applicable licensure or certification requirements.
The Counseling program combines academic preparation in the areas of counseling and guidance and research with practice and internship assignments. Emphasis areas are available in PreK-12 School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling.
Students in both Counseling Concentrations (PreK-12 School and Mental Health) must take the Common Counseling Core, which consists of 36 credit hours. In each of the classes in the following Common Core, Counseling students complete case studies, coursework, research papers, and other assignments individualized to their specific concentration area:
Common Core (All 3 Credit Hours)
COUN 501 - Professional Orientation and Ethics in Counseling
COUN 521 - Career Counseling
COUN 531 - Social and Cultural Aspects of Counseling
COUN 541 - Counseling Skills
COUN 581 - Human Growth & Development
COUN 593 - Practicum in Counseling
COUN 611 - Counseling Theories
COUN 621 - Crisis Intervention and Consultation
COUN 631 - Group Counseling
COUN 662 - Psychopathology
COUN 671 - Assessment in Counseling
EDUC 511 - Research and Statistics
In addition to this common core of Counseling classes, students are required to take courses within their concentration as follows:
The PreK-12 School Counseling concentration has been designed to meet all the academic requirements for licensure as a PreK-12 Counselor in the state of Tennessee. The PreK-12 School Counseling program is a total of 60 credit hours, consisting of the 36-credit hour Counseling Common Core, with an additional 12 hours of specialization in PreK-12 School Counseling, as follows:
PreK-12 School Counseling Concentration Specific Classes - 24 Credit Hours
COUN 508 – Foundations of School Counseling – 3 credit hours
COUN 595 – Topics in Counseling – 3 credit hours
COUN 698 – Internship/Seminar in School Counseling – 6 credit hours
SPED 530 – Special Education & Law, Policy and Ethics – 3 credit hours
SPED 550 – Managing Academic & Social Behavior Using Positive Supports – 3 credit hours
COUN/EDUC Elective – 3 credit hours
COUN/EDUC Elective – 3 credit hours
Additional PreK-12 Licensure program requirements:
The focus of the Mental Health Counseling concentration is to prepare counselors as leaders with the knowledge, skills, proficiencies, and dispositions to meet the changing counseling needs of clients in the community agency and mental health settings. The purpose of the program is to prepare students for effective performance in professional positions in counseling as encountered within community settings. In addition to the aforementioned 36 core hours students will be required to complete the following:
Mental Health Counseling Concentration Specific Classes - 24 credit hours
COUN 509 – Foundations of Mental Health Counseling – 3 credit hours
COUN 551 – Personality and Mental Health Issues in Counseling – 3 credit hours
COUN 577 – Addiction Counseling – 3 credit hours
COUN 651 – Evidence-Based Treatment and Treatment Planning – 3 credit hours
COUN 669 – Psychopharmacology for Counselors – 3 credit hours
COUN 699 – Internship/Seminar in Mental Health Counseling – 6 credit hours
COUN/EDUC Elective – 3 credit hours
Additional Mental Health Counseling Licensure requirements:
Graduates of LMU's Mental Health Counseling program will satisfy the state of Tennessee's academic coursework requirements for licensure track for TN LPC/MHSP. After graduating, students must pass a national counselor certification test (NCE) and complete post master's supervision hours under an approved licensure supervisor while completing licensure, as stipulated by the related Health Licensing Board. Successfully pass the TN Jurisprudence Exam for professional counselors, and successfully pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHE) during licensure supervision of 150 direct hours, 1,500 face-to-face hours, and 1,500 indirect clinically related activities before applying for LPC/MHSP.
The Professional Counseling Programs at Lincoln Memorial University are Accredited by CACREP, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs. CACREP Accreditation is a quality review process that ensures the quality, content, and delivery of the counselor education program. The student can be assured that appropriate knowledge and skill areas are included in training and that the program is stable and meets the highest standards of the Counseling profession.
Program Information | Kristen Smith | 865.531.4110 | kristen.smith862@lmunet.edu
Licensure Information | Tywana (Sue) England | 423.869.6253 | tywana.england@lmunet.edu
