Counseling & Personnel Services (MED) Specializations

Overview

Application Deadline: February 1 (Fall only)

The M.Ed in Counseling and Personnel Services with a concentration in Art Therapy was the first art therapy university-based educational program established in the U.S. Our students meet requirements for national certification as art therapists as well as licensure as art therapists in the state of KY. 

Career Opportunities 

Graduates of the program secure employment in private school settings, medical hospitals, inpatient and outpatient mental health facilities, drug and alcohol treatment centers, and forensic correctional institutions. 

Art Therapy Forum 

Join us for our annual Art Therapy Forum! We will be meeting virtually on Saturday, October 19th from 10:00am - 12:30pm. The Art Therapy Forum is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the field of Art Therapy and our program here at the University of Louisville. Topics include the history of Art Therapy, application process for the graduate program, and a panel presentation of alumni representing various clinical disciplines. 

Contact Marybeth Orton to register for the the Art Therapy Program and receive the Zoom link. 
marybeth.orton@louisville.edu

CAAHEP Accreditated Program 

The University of Louisville is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) 

Additional Requirements

In addition to general admission requirements for the degree, prospective students applying for a concentration in Art Therapy demonstrate evidence of having completed the following undergraduate coursework. 

Art, 18 hours to include the following: 

• Basic drawing course 
• Course in painting 
• A course using clay 
• Three other studio courses of your choice (many students take 2D or 3D design, photography) 

Psychology, 15 hours to include: 

• General or intro to psychology 
• Developmental psychology 
• Abnormal psychology 
• Personality theory 
• Introductory statistics 

Applicants to the Art Therapy program must also submit samples of their work including the following portfolio items: 

• Writing sample which reflects the student's ability to write a formal paper. A copy of paper written for a previous class will do. 
• Portfolio of student's artwork; 10 images are recommended. 

Experience in helping professions, either paid or volunteer, is recommended. 

Curriculum

** At least 700 hours of clinical placement must be completed during ECPY 643 Practicum and the two Internship classes, ECPY 676 I and II. Ten hours per week are required during practicum; 150 total/75 direct client hours. No less than 20 hours per week are required during the two internships; 300 total/150 direct client hours per semester. 

Overview

Application Deadline (Spring): October 1 

Meeting GRE score and GPA minimums does not guarantee a student will be accepted to the program.

The Master of Education (M.Ed) in Counseling and Personnel Services with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed for those who wish to engage in the practice of professional counseling in a community-based setting. 

The program provides students with the knowledge base and clinical skills to provide mental health services through counseling and consultation in a variety of work settings. 

Opportunities for Graduates 

Graduates of the program find employment in various human service and counseling agencies including mental health agencies, residential treatment centers, drug/alcohol treatment facilities, family resource and youth service centers, hospitals, employee assistance programs, and career placement centers. 

Graduates work with a variety of client populations across all age groups performing a variety of job tasks including individual, group, and family counseling; intake assessments; psychoeducational groups; program development; and consultation. 

Curriculum

The 60 credit hour program prepares students to be licensed in most states as a clinical mental health counselor who provides counseling and psychotherapy services in community-based settings. 

For details about program curriculum, visit the Graduate Catalog. 

Sequencing of Courses 

Courses in the program are sequenced in order to ensure quality of learning. The content of courses that require prerequisites are built on a foundation of knowledge and skills mastered in the prerequisite courses. Following are courses that require prerequisites: 

• ECPY 601 and ECPY 619 are prerequisites for ECPY 629 
• ECPY 601, ECPY 619, ECPY 629, ECPY 730, and ECPY 621 are prerequisites for ECPY 672 
• ECPY 540 is a prerequisite for ECPY 640 
• ECPY 672 is a prerequisite for ECPY 682 (1st) Internship) 
• ECPY 682 (1st Internship) is a prerequisite for ECPY 682 (2nd) Internship 

Overview

Application Deadline (Spring): October 1 

Beginning Summer 2025, the College Student Personnel program will be part of the newly formed Master's in Higher Education & Student Affairs 

The Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services with a concentration in College Student Personnel is designed to prepare prospective professionals for positions in student affairs administration in institutions of higher education. 

Theory and practice are critically important components of the program, all of which share a common focus--preparation of professionals knowledgeable about adult student development and administration in college student personnel settings. 

Students are required to pursue a logical sequence of study that permits a well-balanced preparation in theory, research, and field experiences in students affairs practice, including knowledge of current roles and functions of college student personnel professionals as well as historical perspective of the field's development. 

Opportunities for Graduates 

Graduates have secured employment in administrative positions in various student affairs areas including: vice presidents for student life and deans of students; directors of residence life, residence hall complexes, and college/university unions; coordinators of student activities, orientation, leadership development, judicial affairs, and Greek Life; counselors in the areas of admissions, financial aid and career services; and advising positions with international students, students with disabilities, and academic services for athletes. After continuing their education to complete a doctorate, some students have also obtained faculty positions. 

Curriculum

Degree Requirements pulled from Course Catalog

Master of Education in Counseling and Personnel Services 

Unit: College of Education and Human Development  

Department: Counseling and Human Development  

MEd in Counseling and Personnel Services Concentrations 

Clinical Mental Health Counseling  

Academic Plan Code(s): CPS_MEDMHC 

General Requirement: Students admitted to the Mental Health Counseling Program who have not completed a course in abnormal psychology are required to take PSYC 308: Foundations of Psychopathology as a prerequisite to the program. Students who have successfully completed a graduate-level course in abnormal psychology at another institution can transfer it into the program as an elective course. 

CACREP and Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors Curriculum Guidelines: 

CACREP requires that 600 hours be completed during the internships. 

1. The helping relationship, including counseling theory and practice 
2. Human growth and development 
3. Lifestyle and career development 
4. Group dynamics, process, counseling, and consulting 
5. Assessment, appraisal, and testing of individuals 
6. Social and cultural foundations, including multicultural issues 
7. Principles of etiology, diagnosis, treatment planning, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders and dysfunctional behavior 
8. Research and evaluation 
9. Professional orientation and ethics 

Degree assessment:  All program coursework must be completed with a 3.0 cumulative GPA. 

School Counseling (P-12) 

Academic Plan Code(s): CPS_MEDCSC 

Notes: ECPY 674 Practicum in School Counseling must be applied for by March 1 for Fall term and October 1 for Spring term. 

1. Students must earn at least a "B" or better in ECPY 630 to be eligible to enroll in ECPY 674 School Counseling Practicum. 
2. For school counseling certification, a grade of “B” or better is required in ECPY 674 and ECPY 684. 
3. Transfer of credit is dependent upon receipt of transcript and advisor’s approval. 
4. Upon admission, students have six years to complete their program. 
5. All students must have liability insurance prior to taking practicum. 
6. At any point after admission, the faculty reserve the right to review a student’s fitness on the basis of personal characteristics, for continuing in the counseling or student personnel program.  Such a review shall be initiated upon written recommendation of two faculty members and shall consist of a review of the student’s academic result in a recommendation to the Dean for (1) continuation of the student in the program, (2) continuation for a specified provisional period with specific conditions for continuation thereafter, or (3) dismissal from the program. 
7. The program requires the acceptable completion of a program portfolio. 
8. The CEHD will be able to recommend the Provisional license, and verify completion of course work for the Standard license, for program completers. In addition, program completers must document at least one year of experience to the KY Education Professional Standards Board to be eligible for the Standard license. 
9. Kentucky certified teachers who hold a Rank II or Rank III, as well as individuals who are not certified teachers, will be eligible for a Rank I upon completion of this program. 
10. This program must be totally completed and degree awarded to apply for a rank change with the state of Kentucky. 

Exit Requirements:  To complete the program, students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.  No credit shall be accepted for carrying a grade lower than C (no C-minus).  This program requires the acceptable completion of a program portfolio. 

College Student Personnel 

Academic Plan Code(s): CPS_MEDSTP 

Degree Assessment: All program coursework must be completed with a 3.0 cumulative GPA. 

Counseling Psychology 

Academic Plan Code(s): CPS_MEDCPL 

Degree Assessment: All program coursework with a 3.0 cumulative GPA.  

¹ 

600 hours of field placement are required during the combination of ECPY 673, ECPY 680, and ECPY 683; 4 full psychological assessments are required during the combination of ECPY 673, ECPY 680, and ECPY 683 

Art Therapy 

Academic Plan Code(s): CPS_MEDET 

General Requirement: Undergraduate prerequisite includes eighteen (18) credit hours in studio art and fifteen (15) credit hours in psychology. Students admitted to the Art Therapy Program who have not completed prerequisites of fifteen (15) credit hours in Psychology and eighteen (18) credit hours in Studio Art must do so within the first year of study. 

Degree Assessment: All program coursework with a 3.0 cumulative GPA.  

*ACATE – CAAHEP Educational Standards  

1. History and Theory of art therapy  
2. Professional Orientation, Ethical, and Legal Issues  
3. Materials and Techniques of Art Therapy Practice  
4. Creativity, Symbolism, and Metaphor  
5. Group Work  
6. Art Therapy Assessments  
7. Thesis or Culminating Project  
8. Human Growth and Development  
9. Helping Relationships and Applications  
10. Psychopathology and Diagnosis  
11. Psychological and Counseling Theories  
12. Appraisal and Evaluation  
13. Research  
14. Cultural and Social Issues  
15. Studio Art  
16. Specializations  
17. Career Development (recommended but not required)  

*The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE) cooperate with the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) to establish, maintain and promote appropriate standards of quality for educational programs that meet or exceed the minimum standards.   

¹ 

At least 700 hours of field placement must be completed during field studies and two practicums. 10 hours per week are required during field studies. No less than 20 hours per week are required during the two practicums. 

Overview

Application Deadline (Spring): October 15 

Meeting GPA minimums does not guarantee a student will be accepted to the program. No GRE score is required for the master's program in counseling psychology.

The Cardinal Success Program at the Nia Center was featured on WDRB news for its work in West Louisville. See the video and read the full story... 

The MEd in Counseling and Personnel Services, with a concentration in Counseling Psychology, fulfills the state board of psychology's educational requirements to apply to sit for the exam to become a Psychological Associate. 

Program Opportunities

• To gain clinical experience almost all our students are placed at our own Cardinal Success Program (http://louisville.edu/education/cardinal-success). Within the Cardinal Success Program our students work with diverse populations across the life span and in multiple setting. Our students currently work with 
• All students receive supervision from Doctoral level Psychologists, and most of them also serve as a UofL faculty member. 
• Many of our students are placed at multiple parts of the Cardinal Success Program so they can gain experiences in diverse settings and with different populations 
• Our program fulfills the KY State Board of Psychology’s educational requirements to sit for Psychological Associate exam. 
• We have day and evening classes as well as online classes to help meet the needs of working students. Many of our classes take place at our own community-based behavioral health clinic in the NIA Center. 
• There are many opportunities to participate in research teams. For students who are looking to go on to a doctoral degree this experience will be invaluable. 

Careers

Graduates of the program find employment in various human service and counseling agencies including mental health agencies; residential treatment centers; family resource and youth service centers; hospitals; employee assistance programs; and career placement centers. Graduates perform a variety of job tasks including individual and group counseling and psychotherapy, psychological assessment, program development and consultation. 

Some of our students elect to go onto further education. Doctoral programs in Counseling Psychology are a wonderful way to learn more about psychotherapy, prevention, supervision, and research. Many doctoral programs expect students to have a master's degree and experience with research. Our faculty are very open to including masters’ students on their research teams and to build the foundations to be a successful doctoral student. 

Curriculum

The Counseling Psychology concentration within the M.Ed. in Counseling and Personnel Services offers flexibility in degree completion timelines. Here are three examples of how students can complete the program. These are only examples, as each plan of study is individually tailored through meetings with faculty advisors to meet the needs of our students. 

For more details about program curriculum, visit the Graduate Catalog. 

M.Ed. in Counseling and Personnel Services with a Specialty in Counseling Psychology (60 credit hours) 

Course Prerequisites 
Certain courses in our program have prerequisites. These are: 

ECPY 619 → ECPY 629 → ECPY 673 (counseling practicum) 
 
ECPY 540 → ECPY 648 → ECPY 649 → ECPY 680 (assessment practicum) 
 
ECPY 673 (counseling) → ECPY 683 (internship) / ECPY 680 (assessment practicum). Prior to practicum all students must have taken ECPY 619, 621, 629 and 730. 

Two-Year Model for Students (Fall Start): 

Three-Year Model for Students (Fall Start): 

Four-Year Model for Students (Fall Start): 

To complete the specialization in Counseling Psychology, you must complete a total of 600 hours of field work and 1 comprehensive psychological assessment over the course of one counseling practicum (ECPY 673), one assessment practicum (ECPY680), and one counseling internship (ECPY 683). Two clinical field experiences cannot be taken in one semester. You must submit an application to be placed in practicum or internship (fall for spring placement, spring for summer or fall placement). 

Degree Assessment: All program coursework with a 3.0 cumulative GPA. A grade of B- or better is required for ECPY 619, 629, 648, 649, 673, 680, & 683 

For details about program curriculum, visit the Graduate Catalog 

Overview

Application Deadline (Spring): October 1

Note: Meeting GRE score and GPA minimums does not guarantee a student will be accepted to the program.

The School Counseling concentration is completed 100% online.

The Master of Education (MEd) in Counseling and Personnel Services with a concentration in School Counseling is designed for those who wish to be certified as school counselors for grades P-12. The 60-credit-hour program equips students to function professionally as school counselors, as well as to sit for the licensing exam. 

As of fall 2023, students beginning their master's in the School Counseling program must complete 60 credit hours.

The mission of the Counselor Education Program is to prepare counselors and counselor educators who contribute to society in a variety of professional roles by supporting principles of social justice, fairness, and equity in their work; proactively promoting the welfare of those they serve; and engaging in a lifelong process of educational and professional renewal. Consistent with our focus on social justice, the Counselor Education Program is committed to building a culturally diverse student body and providing a culturally responsive educational environment for all students. 

Other Professional Opportunities 

The faculty in the school counseling program are very involved in statewide and national initiatives. We strongly encourage school counseling students to be involved with the school, community, as well as regional and national initiatives. Students in the school counseling program have the opportunity to get involved with faculty research and service, which include activities, conferences, and presentations with the American Counseling Association, American School Counselor Association, Kentucky Counseling Association, Kentucky School Counselor Association, and other national and statewide affiliated divisions. 

Program Objectives

• Demonstrate an understanding of theory and research in current professional practice and empirically supported approaches to therapy. 
• Demonstrate the ability to practice within the scope of their educational expertise and training, while also adhering to the highest possible state and national professional standards, and counseling ethical guidelines. 
• Demonstrate research, measurement, and evaluation expertise. 
• Demonstrate personal growth and professional development. 
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of cultural differences, advocacy, and social justice. 
• Recruit, educate, and mentor students from diverse backgrounds to enrich the academic culture and prepare counseling professionals to meet the needs of a diverse society. 
• Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in the following areas: (1) professional orientation and ethical practice; (2) foundations of the profession; (3) social and cultural diversity; (4) human growth and development; (5) career development; (6) helping relationships including counseling, prevention, and wellness; (7) group work; (8) assessment; (9) research and program evaluation; (10) academic development; (11) collaboration, consultation, and advocacy; and (12) leadership. 
• Through supervised clinical experience, students will demonstrate the ability to perform the counseling and guidance services typically offered in a school setting (e.g., development and implementation of a comprehensive guidance curriculum, individual and group counseling and planning services, schoolwide systems support) through ethical, responsible, and culturally competent practice. 
• Students will meet the academic and supervised practice requirements of the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for school counselors and the school counselor certification requirements for the state in which they intend to practice. 
• The School Counseling M.Ed. offers a 60-hour program that allows students to obtain a Rank 1 Certification. A Rank 1 Certification in School Counseling is eligible for those who already hold a master's degree in School Counseling. You do not need to graduate from the 60-hour program if you wish to obtain provisional certification. The completion of the 60-hour curriculum is required if you seek Rank 1 certification and eligibility as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) in Kentucky. 

Curriculum

Sequencing of Courses 

Courses in the School Counseling concentration do not follow a specific sequence, however to ensure the quality of learning there are certain courses that are required prerequisites before more advanced courses can be taken. The following are courses that require prerequisites: 

• ECPY 624 and ECPY 630 are prerequisites for ECPY 674 Practicum in school counseling 
• ECPY 730 and ECPY 650 are prerequisites for ECPY 684 Internship in school counseling 
• ECPY 540 Evaluation & Measurement is a prerequisite for ECPY 640 

We also offer a 60-hour option, which includes the all of the above benefits in addition to the following: 

1. Rank 1 Certification 
2. Eligibility as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) in Kentucky. This is the first step in becoming an independent practitioner (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor; LPCC). 
3. Qualification for the Kentucky Standard Guidance Certificate. Students who hold a teaching certificate can receive certification as a School Counselor after one year of professional experience. For students who do not hold a teaching certificate, two years of professional experience is required. 

You do not need to graduate from the 60-hour program if you wish to obtain provisional certification, but completion of the 60-hour curriculum is required if you seek Rank 1 certification or eligibility as a LPCA in KY. 

Other Professional Opportunities 

The faculty in the school counseling program are very involved in statewide and national initiatives. We strongly encourage school counseling students to be involved with the school, community, as well as regional and national initiatives. Students in the school counseling program have the opportunity to get involved with faculty research and service, which include activities, conferences, and presentations with the American Counseling Association, American School Counselor Association, Kentucky Counseling Association, Kentucky School Counselor Association, and other national and statewide affiliated divisions. 

The mission of the Counselor Education Program is to prepare counselors and counselor educators who contribute to society in a variety of professional roles by: supporting principles of social justice, fairness, and equity in their work; proactively promoting the welfare of those they serve; and engaging in a lifelong process of educational and professional renewal. Consistent with our focus on social justice, the Counselor Education Program is committed to building a culturally-diverse student body and providing a culturally-responsive educational environment for all students.