Butler University Online MS in Counseling: Mental Health or School Counseling

Butler University offers an online Master of Science (MS) in Counseling in Mental Health or School Counseling through the College of Education. Both programs include mental health counseling courses that prepare graduates to understand human behavior, fundamental counseling techniques, and how to work with individuals and groups in counseling situations.

Core courses for both programs focus on professional practice issues and the trends currently affecting the mental health counseling field. As well students study human development, diversity and multiculturalism, counseling theories and techniques, career and life planning, individual and group counseling, assessment, and evaluation, trauma counseling, and counseling research. The mental health and school counseling programs include a 100-hour practicum which covers various supervised counseling experiences in the classroom and other settings, and 600 hours of on-the-job internship experiences, which include all aspects of mental health or school counseling, under a qualified supervisor.

The MS in Mental Health Counseling (MHC) program includes courses focused on addiction counseling, neurocounseling, psychopharmacology, and psychopathology. Graduates of this program may go on to careers in private practice, healthcare facilities, corrections facilities, substance abuse clinics, counseling centers, or family care centers. Career paths may include positions such as a licensed professional counselor, staff therapist, clinical mental health counselor, psychotherapist, marriage and family therapist, substance use counselor, career counselor, clinical director, or trauma therapist.

The Master’s in School Counseling includes courses focused on leadership and advocacy in counseling, counseling administration, guidance services, post-secondary planning, and grief counseling. Six elective credits may also be chosen in the areas of mental health counseling and applied educational neuroscience. Career paths may lead to positions such as licensed school counselor, career counselor, social worker, licensed mental health counselor, social and community services manager, behavioral disorder counselor, mental health counselor, or school psychologist.

Coursework for the graduate counseling programs is 100 percent online, with cohorts beginning in the fall of each year. No work experience or GRE/GMAT is required. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited for your Institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Application materials include an online application, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Prospective students will also participate in an interview. The counseling programs are 60 credits and are designed to be completed part-time in three years with a cohort. Those who are able may study full-time and complete the degree in two years.

Butler University delivers courses through the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) and expects students to participate in online meetings. About nine hours per week of online coursework per three-credit course is included. Students may also need to participate in discussion boards and complete projects and research, along with the included practicum and internship. Students have access to enrollment counselors, student success coaches, tuition planners, academic advising, disability support services, financial aid support, library services, technical support, and counseling and consultation services.

Online Master’s in Mental Health or School Counseling core courses include Human Development Over the Lifespan; Psychopathology; Diversity and Similarity; Fundamental Counseling Theory and Techniques; Knowledge and Skills in Practice of Mental Health Counseling; Career and Life Planning; Appraisal: Theory and Technique; Advanced Counseling Theories and Techniques I-II; Group Procedures; Trauma and Crisis: Prevention and Response; Practicum in Counseling; Contextual Dimensions of MHC; Internship in Counseling; and Research for Counselors.

MHC specialization courses include Foundations of Mental Health Counseling; Introduction to Addictions Counseling; Advanced Addictions Counseling; and Neurocounseling and Psychopharmacology. School counseling specialization courses include Professional, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Counseling; Post-Secondary Planning for School Counseling; Leadership, Advocacy, and Consultation in Counseling; Topics and Issues in School Counseling; Administration of Counseling and Guidance Services; and Assisting Grieving Children. MS in School Counseling students also choose two electives from the following: Foundations of Mental Health Counseling; Knowledge and Skills in The Practice of MHC; Contextual Dimensions of MHC; and Research, Strategies, and Principles of Applied Educational Neuroscience.

The curricula of both programs meet all Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) standards. The MS in Mental Health Counseling will seek CACREP accreditation one year following its first graduating class. Currently, the campus version of the MS in School Counseling program is accredited by CACREP; however, the online version is awaiting CACREP review in 2023 to become accredited. Butler University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is located in Indianapolis, Indiana.