Counselor Education
Counselors are facilitators, collaborators, and advocates for people who are experiencing developmental transitions and difficult life situations. We prepare counselors in the areas of clinical mental health, clinical and vocational rehabilitation, and school counseling. Learn more about Counselor Education.
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Current students, faculty, and staff: Visit us on MyUSM
We’ve moved our information for current students, faculty, and staff to MyUSM — streamlining access through our secure, single sign-on portal. Login required.
Nationally accredited through CACREP
As part of this exclusive credential, we continually assess student learning, ensuring that our graduates are prepared for successful careers.
Highlights
Expand your career options
More than 98% of our graduates are successfully employed in the field of counseling or have chosen to pursue further education.
Beyond the Classroom: Practicum and Internship
We offer access to more than 200 agency and school sites, K-12, for practicum and internship. We’ll work with you to select sites that align with your location, your schedule, and your career path.
Support and insight during your fieldwork experience
Throughout your practicum and internship experience, you’ll receive both on-site supervision and faculty support — and you’ll participate in a small group seminar for casework review with your peers.
Our graduates have a 99% pass rate on the NCE
Our Master of Science in Counseling program qualifies graduates to sit for the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE).
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Our Master of Science in Counseling Program
Earn your MS through part-time or full-time study. We offer concentrations in Clinical Mental Health, Clinical or Vocational Rehabilitation, and School Counseling.
Online Course and Program Options
We offer flexible scheduling, with a mixture of online and in-person courses. Our Rehabilitation program is 90% online and the MHRT/C Certificate is fully online.
Additional Areas of Study
Select from optional focus areas in Family Systems or Substance Abuse. Our Rehabilitation concentration offers tracks in Clinical and Vocational Rehab.
Expand Your Career Options with a Graduate Certificate
Earn your MHRT/C Graduate Certificate online, focus on culturally responsive practices, or broaden your area of expertise through our Certificate of Advanced Study.
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Application Deadlines
Our master’s program admits for the fall semester. Graduate certificate programs offer rolling admissions and the CAS program admits 3 times each year.
Learn More About Our Programs
Questions about Counselor Education? We'd love to meet you and tell you more! Our Information Sessions are an excellent way to learn more about USM.
Resources for Fieldwork Site Supervisors
For our practicum and internship site supervisors, we’ve provided training documents, handbooks, and required forms.
News
Bernacchio, co-authors examine telehealth for international audience
Recognized as Best Value Counseling Master's for 2020
Alumna is Honored for Her Work with the Visually Impaired
Ranked in top 10 most affordable accredited online Counseling programs
USM hosts symposium on active bystandership and inclusivity featuring Libra Scholar, Dr. Ervin Staub
Recognized as Most Affordable Counseling Masters for 2019-20
USM Alumna Named Maine School Counselor of the Year
Compassionate intervention needed for veterans, USM's Bernacchio and Reagan wrote in Portland Press Herald
