Master of Science in Counseling

Receive your master's degree in counseling from a part-time program that offers all the benefits of a full-time experience.

In Drake University's Master of Science in Counseling program, you'll interact with and learn from expert faculty who are committed to excellence in research and teaching and service to the profession. In addition to coursework and professional experiences, you can bolster your resume through participation in research projects overseen by Drake faculty, publication of research, or by attendance at state and national conferences.

The program is designed for working adults. Classes are held on Drake's campus on evenings and weekends, so you can continue to work full time while you complete your degree. Click here for more degree highlights.

Program Options

The Master of Science in Counseling offers three specializations. All students complete a core set of classes. You will also select one or more of the specializations to complete, depending on your educational and career goals.

The three specializations are:

• Mental Health counseling
• Rehabilitation counseling
• School counseling

Licensure and Certification

All Master of Science in Counseling specializations meet the licensing and certification requirements for Iowa:

• Mental health counseling: prepares students to seek licensure as a licensed mental health counselor in Iowa
• Rehabilitation counseling: since the rehabilitation counseling program is nationally recognized, reciprocity is easy to achieve; courses ready students for national certification
• School counseling: prepares students to become professional school counselors in Iowa's elementary or secondary schools

While many graduates remain in Iowa after graduation, graduates do seek employment in other states and countries. If you wish to practice mental health or school counseling outside of Iowa upon graduation, contact the American Counseling Association or the American School Counseling Association, respectively, to learn about academic requirements in a specific state of interest.

Apply Now

• Applications for this program are accepted for fall and spring start terms, with the following deadlines. All materials must be postmarked by the identified dates: 
  • Spring start-term: September 1
  • Fall start-term: March 1
• Upon the receipt of transcripts, an advisor will complete a transcript evaluation in order to determine any credit or course substitutions/transfers. 
• In order to begin the application process, please click the “Apply Now” link above. This link will provide you application requirements. Questions regarding the application process can be forwarded to the Coordinator of Graduate Admission at soegradadmission@drake.edu or 515-271-2552.

Counseling Admission Requirements

This program has indicated specific essay requirements. This essay replaces the general admission essay required for other programs.

The paper should be a 5-page, double spaced statement of interest in the counseling profession.  It should include the following information:

• Educational and professional background
• Career aspirations with a counseling degree
• Experience working with people who are different from you
• Personal characteristics that will allow you to be a successful graduate student

Questions?

To request more information, send correspondence to counselored@drake.edu.   

Doris Brunnette
doris.brunnette@drake.edu
515-271-4842 

Please contact the following individuals with questions about a specific specialization:

• Mental health counseling: wade.leuwerke@drake.edu
• School counseling: bengu.tekinalp@drake.edu
• Rehabilitation counseling: matt.bruinekool@drake.edu