JWU Introduces New Masters in Counseling

New for 2014, Johnson & Wales University will offer an 18-month Master of Science (MS) in Counseling program, preparing graduates to serve the community as clinical mental health counselors or addictions counselors.

The mental health counseling field is predicted to be among the fastest growing fields in the next 10 years, making the need for compassionate, personable and qualified counselors more important than ever.

The primary goal of the program is to prepare master’s level clinicians with the counseling skills that integrate theoretical foundations of professional counseling into positive client interaction and intervention skills.

The program emphasizes the development of attitudes, knowledge, and skills essential in the formation of professional counselors who are committed to the ethical provision of quality services.

In addition to the coursework required, students experience practicum and internship experiences under supervision of clinical professionals.

Upon completion of this program, graduates are expected to:

• Demonstrate professional proficiency and will exhibit familiarity with professional orientation and ethical practices as advocated by the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics.
• Illustrate the importance of multicultural issues in the counseling profession when working with diverse clients.
• Provide illustrations of human growth and developmental theories framed in the principles of assessment and appraisal.
• Demonstrate planning and implementation of career development practices and theoretical perspectives
• Show command of counseling theories and how to conceptualize cases from a wellness perspective
• Exhibit knowledge of group dynamics, group leadership, group development and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of group types
• Implement basic and advanced assessment techniques in the framework of helping relationships
• Develop an understanding and appreciation of the importance of research in advancing the counseling profession.