Common Classes for a Master's in Counseling

Top-rated master's programs in counseling build an applied understanding among students regarding human development and diversity, the scope of the counseling profession, ethics, research methods, and group, individual, and vocational counseling techniques through classroom and experiential learning.

Course titles, and even the content covered, sometimes differ between programs. Following are some of the courses you likely would take in most master's in counseling curricula:

Counseling Theory and Practice The student is introduced to major theories and techniques pertaining to the area of counseling. Knowledge acquired is applied in the counseling setting as a personal style of counseling begins to develop.

HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 

• Course Description: This course will explore current theories of human psychological, social, emotional and physiological development across the lifespan. 
• Assessment in Counseling: This course outlines the way in which counselors use diagnostic testing and assessment with clients in a variety of professional settings. 
• Multicultural counseling: This course imparts to the student the relevant skills, approaches, and models to suit cross-cultural counseling. 
• Group Counseling: The class teaches students how to plan and conduct sessions with all different kinds of groups. Among other things, it discusses theories and ethical issues connected with group counseling.
• Research methods in counseling: This course covers the qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research designs used in counseling and the related legal and ethical considerations. 

Psychopathology and diagnosis, lifestyle and career development, substance abuse, trauma-informed practice, social justice, and marriage, couple, and family counseling are some additional topics that are frequently taught in master's programs in counseling.  In addition to coursework, the programs also must include practicum and internship work to fulfill licensing requirements. At some counseling degree schools, the students also complete a counseling portfolio or capstone project.