Master of Science in Counseling

About Southeastern's Counseling Program

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to the Southeastern's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program (M.S.); Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling Program (M.S.), and the School Counseling Program (M.S.) through October 31, 2030.

The academic coursework in all concentration meets the academic requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Louisiana as well as most other states. School counseling graduates meet the academic requirements to become a certified school counselor in Louisiana after passing the school counseling Praxis exam.

Our program is a campus-based program, with most courses offered in a face-to-face format and several in a hybrid (partially online) format. A small number of courses are online. Content courses prior to field-based clinical experiences alternate between day and evening to accommodate working students. A student's last two semesters consist of a clinical internship at an approved site. The internship is very close to a full-time experience (approximately 30 hours per week), and students are only allowed to take one additional class along with internship for a maximum of six hours each semester of internship.

Counseling Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Counseling Program at Southeastern Louisiana University is to prepare a culturally-diverse workforce of future counselors, in a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment, with the knowledge and skills necessary for entry into the profession through coursework and field-based activities. Graduates will be prepared to work with an array of diverse clients in a variety of settings utilizing culturally-sustaining, evidenced-based practices. 

Admission Process and Requirements

Southeastern’s Counseling Program encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment where diverse students can thrive.

Counseling Programs

School Counseling

The 60 hour master's degree includes 700 hours of actual hands-on experience working in K-12 schools. Our 3-year plan of course offerings allow you and your faculty advisor to map-out a schedule that works for you and your busy lifestyle.

Upon successful completion of the program and the school counselor Praxis exam, our graduates are eligible for certification as Louisiana School Counselors. Graduates are also eligible to apply for the Louisiana Professional Counselor license (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and National Certified School Counselor (NCSC). The LPC and NCSC credentials require additional post masters counseling under the supervision of approved supervisors and passing scores on the credentialiting exams.

Accreditation

The school counseling program is accredited by CACREP and approved by the Louisiana Department of Education.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The 60 hour master's degree includes 700 hours of actual hands-on experience working in clinical mental health settings. Our 3-year plan of course offerings allow you and your faculty advisor to map-out a schedule that works for you and your busy lifestyle.

National Certified Counselor (NCC)

Because the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is accredited by CACREP, graduates are immediately eligible to receive their NCC (National Certified Counselor) designation upon passing the NCE (National Counselor Exam) administered by NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors). As a courtesy for students at Southeastern, the NCE is offered on campus for internship students. You can also learn more about this certification at the NBCC website, www.nbcc.org.

Licensed Professional Counselor

A graduate of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program meets the coursework requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) through the LPC Board of Examiners. However, licensing requirements also include a 3000 hour post-master's supervised experience working with clients, as well as a passing score on the licensing exam. For more information, including application forms, please go to the LPC Board of Examiners' website (www.lpcboard.org) and click on Forms/Packets.

Marriage, Couple, & Family Counseling

The program for the MCFC concentration is a 60 hour master's degree, which is fully accredited nationally by the Council of Accreditation for Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). The program includes both the academic and clinical components. Within the academic program, there are core courses as well as four (4) specialty courses in marriage, couple and family counseling. The clinical component consists of a practicum and two semesters of internship in settings that focus on viewing clients from a systems perspective.

At the completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to become National Certified Counselors (NCC) and begin the process of supervision to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). The Louisiana professional licensure process requires an additional 3000 hours of post-masters supervision, as well as a passing score on the licensing exam, the National Counselor Exam (NCE).

Chi Sigma Iota (CSI)

CSI is an international honor society that values academic and professional excellence in counseling. We promote a strong professional identity through members (professional counselors, counselor educators, and students) who contribute to the realization of a healthy society by fostering wellness and human dignity.

Our Mission:
Promoting Excellence in the Profession of Counseling
Our mission is to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership. advocacy, and excellence in counseling, and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in the profession of counseling

Our Society:
The purposes of the Society are to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, advocacy, and excellence in counseling, and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in the profession of counseling.

Our Chapter:
Sigma Lambda Upsilon - Established in 1991
Our chapter has active members including current students, alumni, and faculty. We focus on promoting excellence in the profession of counseling and hope to get members more involved in professional development, community engagement, wellness, and more.

Membership Information:
Benefits:

• Professionalism

• Recognition - a membership certificate and pin shall be presented to each member to be displayed in recognition of meeting or exceeding the high standard of the Society.

• Professional Development - webinars, annual conventions, learning days

• Resources - Find a Counselor Registry, Counselor's Bookshelf, Exemplar, Career Center

• Leadership Development

• Awards - annual awards and fellowships are given during conventions to further compel students, faculty, and professionals to work for outstanding scholarship and professionalism.

Eligibility:

• Those students who are enrolled in counselor education programs leading to graduate degrees.

• They shall have completed the equivalent of at least one full academic term (semester or quarter) of counseling courses carrying 9 credit courses and are deemed promising for endorsement as a professional counselor whose ethical judgment and behavior will be exemplary.

• They must have maintained an overall scholastic grade point average of 3.5 or better (on a 4.0 system), or the equivalent, while enrolled in the program.

Online Application Process:

• Individuals receiving a letter of invitation to membership from their chapter may complete the online New Member Registration. The Chapter Faculty Advisor (CFA) or appropriate chapter officer should be notified that the application has been submitted. Applications are processed when approval is received from the CFA. Certificates and pins are sent to CFAs for distribution during formal initiation ceremonies during which the CSI Oath is administered.

• If you have previously been an approved member of CSI but let your membership expire, you may renew your account rather than creating a new one. If you need assistance accessing your previous account, you may contact info@csi-net.org

National Renewal Requests:
Renewals may be completed online; a renewal link will be available in a member's profile within 90 days of expiration. If you have questions, please contact renewal@csi-net.org.

Membership and Renewal Fees:
Local:

• $15 per semester

National:

• New member: $50

• Renewal: $40 for one year, $75 for two years (save $5), $110 for three years (save $10)

Initiation Certificate:

• All new members will receive an initiation certificate during their chapter initiation ceremony. The initiation ceremony and oath is required for full membership into Chi Sigma Iota (i.e., eligibility for all benefits such as awards, research grants, contest entries, poster sessions). Certificates are sent directly to the Chapter Faculty Advisor (CFA) in preparation for the ceremony.

• If you never received your membership certificate from your chapter, please contact the CFA to see if they still have it. Chapters may hold the certificate until the next initiation if you were unable to attend the first one for which you were eligible. If it cannot be found or you have lost it, you may consider ordering an individual replacement initiation certificate through our online store and we will get it to you immediately.

Meetings:

• Our chapter meets periodically throughout the semester. 

• We have an initiation ceremony for new members at least annually.

• We have a social/small ceremony for graduating members at least annually.

• We have learning days periodically throughout semesters.

Faculty Advisers:
Dr. Laura Fazio-Griffith - laura.fazio-griffith@southeastern.edu
Dr. Reshelle Marino - reshelle.marino@southeastern.edu

Other Documents

Counseling Student Handbook

Countinuing Education Approvals

Counseling Program 2021 Annual Report

Counseling Faculty

Left to right: Dr. June Williams, Dr. Michael Leeman, Dr. Wendy Rock, Dr. Reshelle Marino, Dr. Laura Fazio-Griffith