Our Counselor Education Program
Capital’s Counselor Education program provides a dynamic learning experience for students looking to become licensed school counselors and/or clinical mental health counselors.
Both the school counseling track and the clinical mental health track allow students to gain knowledge and skills through a holistic approach that will enable them to work in a variety of settings. Our School Counseling track will give you the tools you need to succeed in a K-12 school. The Master of Arts Clinical Mental Health track equips you to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community agencies, college counseling centers, and private practice.
Regardless of whether you choose a single track or the dual-program track, students in Capital University’s Counselor Education program all receive training in eight core areas:
- human growth and development,
- social and cultural diversity,
- counseling and helping relationships,
- group counseling and group work,
- career development,
- assessment and testing,
- research and program evaluation, and
- professional counseling orientation and ethical practice.
At Capital, we know that learning happens everywhere. That’s why our program features hands-on, blended experiential and classroom learning. After completing 64 class credit hours, as well as a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship, you will earn a Master of Arts in Education degree. A full-time student can complete either the School Counseling program or the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in two years. Completing both programs requires a minimum of three years.
Why Study Counselor Education at Capital University?
Capital’s Counselor Education program provides you with dynamic learning opportunities, due in part to the University’s location in Columbus, the culturally diverse capital of Ohio. Focused on all aspects of counseling, we foster the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of a counselor while promoting a strong professional identity as leaders within the counseling profession through teaching, advocacy, research and professional clinical experiences.
In addition to teaching at the University, our faculty also work as professional counselors and engage their students’ learning through the lens of their own experiences.
Admissions Requirements
Admission into the Counselor Education program requires:
- A bachelor's degree or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution;
- A satisfactory grade point average (GPA), usually a minimum of 3.0 (B);
- Evidence of compatibility of professional goals with Capital University’s Counselor Education program as demonstrated through a writing sample and admissions interview;
- Evidence of ability to successfully complete the program; and
- A signed Statement of Assurance of Good Moral Character
Application Process
Submit an online application. Your application will require: a writing sample, three (3) letters of professional reference, a current resume or CV, and official transcripts from every institution from which you’ve received credit.
- Request official transcripts from all previous institutions attended. You may choose to have your previous institution send your transcripts electronically OR as hard copies. If choosing to mail, send to:
Capital University
Office of Admissions
1 College and Main
Columbus, OH 43209-2394
- Three letters of professional reference. As part of the application, you will include email addresses for your professional references. We will then contact them to obtain letters of reference. Letters should be from individuals who can attest to your preparedness for graduate level work and/or disposition for the counseling profession. These can be emailed to admission@capital.edu or mailed to the address above.
- Apply for Financial Aid. If you plan on utilizing financial aid to help pay for your courses, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Capital’s FAFSA code is 003023.
For questions regarding the application process, please contact Sara Lucas, the assistant director of graduate admissions.
Application Deadlines
| Master’s Degree |
Admit Term(s) |
Application Deadlines |
| Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
Fall Only |
Dec. 1 (priority)
Mar. 15 (final) |
| School Counseling |
Fall Only |
Dec. 1 (priority)
Mar. 15 (final) |
Capital University’s Counselor Education program admits clinical mental health and school counseling students one time per academic year. Students will complete the application process starting in the fall of the year prior to admittance; upon invitation, complete the interview process in the spring prior to admittance; and, if accepted, will enroll in the fall semester.
Interview Day
We believe it is very important to meet and learn about our applicants on a personal level. Interviews give you an opportunity to make sure that Capital University and our Counselor Education program is a good fit for you.
Applicants who meet the Counselor Education program’s minimum requirements for admission will be invited for an in-person interview. We conduct individual and group interviews in an attempt to assess your cognitive, affective, and behavioral potential, and set you up for success in our program and in the field of counseling.
Program Objectives:
- Students will obtain theoretical knowledge in the areas of individual and group counseling, human development, multicultural and career counseling that is grounded in research and reflective of current national and state standards.
- Students will demonstrate professional, personal, and cultural self-awareness and knowledge about how it influences their service delivery.
- Students will demonstrate competency in counseling and assessment skills to impact student and client outcomes in academic, personal, or career areas.
- Students will demonstrate consultation and collaboration skills that ensure an inclusive environment in school and counseling settings.
- Students will continue their personal and professional development by adhering to the professional ethical codes of professional counseling organizations and the Counselor Education program dispositions
Accreditation
Capital University is actively engaged in the process of seeking accreditation with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Graduates of both our School and Clinical Mental Health tracks are fully eligible for licensure in the state of Ohio. For additional questions regarding CACREP, the accrediting process, or what this may mean for you, please reach out to the Capital University Counseling Program Director.