Program Overview

The Master of Science in Counseling degree 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.  The program can be completed in about 3 years.  You will be provided practicum and internship opportunities to apply your classroom knowledge in a work setting.  Faculty advisors will support you on your journey. 

Convenient Scheduling: You can begin the degree during the fall or spring semester. All courses are held in the evening and on select weekends.

Student-centered Instruction: Small class sizes foster engagement between students and faculty. Your professors and your advisor will support you throughout the program.

Flexible Programming: Students can easily complete more than one specialty area (clinical mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or school counseling) to gain additional expertise or licensures.

Valuable Experience: Under the guidance of expert faculty and practitioners, you'll gain hands-on training through internship and practicum courses. Placements are tailored to career goals.

Multicultural Perspectives: Issues of diversity and social justice are emphasized throughout the program, so you will better understand yourself and the diverse backgrounds of your clients.

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.  Review the curriculum for detailed information. 

The three specializations are:

• Clinical 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:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Prepares students to seek licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Iowa.
• Rehabilitation Counseling: Prepares students to seek national certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
• 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.

Mission and Objectives

The Mission of the Drake Counseling Program

The Drake Counseling Program's mission is to train knowledgeable, competent, and skillful professional counselors to provide services in clinical mental health, rehabilitation, and school settings. The program emphasizes a developmental process promoting skill acquisition at early stages progressing to a strong theoretical base, an ethical and professional orientation, a commitment to advocacy, and cultural sensitivity that seeks equity and access in the provision of counseling.

Drake Counseling Program Objectives

• Students will articulate how to provide culturally responsive and socially just counseling that demonstrates reflective practice and combats individual and systemic oppression and privileges
• Students will demonstrate commitment to professional, ethical, and legal standards in the practice of counseling
• Students will articulate ways to advocate for and empower individuals through openness to clients regardless of identity, dis/ability, or any difference
• Students will apply knowledge of historical and contemporary biological, psychological, social, and cultural foundations in the practice of counseling across the lifespan
• Students will develop and implement an equity-oriented, culturally responsive, and data-driven comprehensive school counseling program
• Students will deliver clinical mental health counseling services to diverse clients in a variety of settings 
• Students will deliver rehabilitation counseling services to diverse consumers and clients in a variety of settings