Counseling M.S.

Program Overview

UVM's Master of Science (M.S.) in Counseling Programs are nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Choose between two program pathways, or a pursue a dual option.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (or Dual Option)

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 graduate credits) prepares graduates for Vermont licensure as clinical mental health counselors, with additional post-degree requirements. A Dual Option (76 credits) includes educational requirements to be eligible for licensure in both school counseling and clinical mental health counseling.

School Counseling (or Dual Option)

Students who complete our School Counseling program (60 graduate credits) are eligible for licensure as school counselors in the State of Vermont. A Dual Option (76 credits) includes educational requirements to be eligible for licensure in both school counseling and clinical mental health counseling.

Methods of Instruction

Coursework includes a mixture of classes oriented toward theory and clinical practice. 

Theory-based classes (approximately 25 students) utilize lecture, break-out group activities, role-plays and online discussion board threads for the purposes of exploring the professional knowledge base of counseling. 

Clinical classes are typically smaller (6-12 students) and structured as seminars with a heavy emphasis on skill attainment. Clinical seminars include triadic supervision, group supervision, video review of counseling sessions with follow up discussion, role play, sand tray exercises, and small group discussion. Evidence of our methods of instruction in these classes can be evidenced by both syllabus content and student course evaluations.

Program Information

• Model Programs of Study (doc)
• Internship
• Handbooks and Forms
• Degree Requirements

Variable Tuition Rate

The out-of-state tuition cost for our program is lower than the Graduate College tuition rate. Go to Graduate College Tuition and Fees and select "Master of Science in Counseling" for current tuition and other costs.

Scholarship and Funding Opportunities

• Graduate student funding and scholarships
• Mental Health Professional Forgivable Loan Program paying up to 100% of tuition.
• Vermont Trauma, Resiliency, and Equity Education (VT-TREE) Stipend

Faculty

Visit our faculty profiles to learn more about our internationally recognized teaching, research and service collaborations.

Core Beliefs

As you gain a foundation of knowledge and skills necessary for helping others, you will pursue personal and professional growth through feedback and self-reflection, because healthy individuals make the most effective professionals. 

We also believe that our role of counseling in the community is to identify and redress processes of oppression in order to promote equity and justice. 

These core beliefs are emulated throughout our program objectives and curricular experiences.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to teaching a diverse body of students who have a wide range of personal, educational, professional and volunteer experiences. We seek to recruit and train students who represent a broad spectrum in terms of age, race, ethnicity, (dis)ability status, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and cultural background.

Just as our faculty are experienced working in diverse settings nationally and internationally, we are committed to preparing students to work in a variety of counseling positions and to meet the needs of our increasingly diverse population.

Adherence to Vermont licensure laws as well as CACREP accreditation standards assures that our students are well prepared to work as licensed professionals both within and outside of Vermont.

Accreditation and Program Outcomes: CACREP

CACREP recently extended the accreditation status for both programs through October 2029. See our Accreditation and Program Outcomes for more information.

How to Apply

Application Deadline: January 15th. Review the Admissions tab/section on this page for instructions. 

Learn More

• Attend an Online Information Session to meet our faculty and learn more about the program.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Contact Us

• Email: cslgprog@uvm.edu
• Phone: (802) 656-3888
• Reach out to our Office of Graduate Student and Program Services.
   

Deadlines

January 15 for Fall matriculation

Admissions

Admission is competitive and decisions are made only once a year during the Spring semester for Fall matriculation. We are seeking students with srong undergraduate academic preparation, a solid grade point average, and a demonstrated ability to participate in healthy interpersonal relations with others.

One application process is used for all students, whether applying to the School Counseling Program, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Dual Program Option, or for part-time or full-time study.

The admissions process includes submitting everything requested in the Graduate College Application packet, and participating in an invitation-only formal group interview. Each of these is described below. 

Application Packet Requirements

Please submit the following by deadline of January 15 to be considered for the following Fall matriculation. GRE is not required.

• Online Graduate College Application Form
• Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages): The Statement of Purpose offers the applicant an opportunity to articulate their reasons for pursuing graduate study in counseling, the skills and experiences that have informed the applicant's desires to pursue studies in this area, their own personal journey in developing critical consciousness, and any related experience in social justice activism. The Statement will be reviewed for clarity of expression, grammatical construction, and relevance of experience and interests to the Counseling Program curriculum of study and mission.
• Three Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit three letters written by individuals who have a professional relationship with the applicant and who are well acquainted with the applicant’s accomplishments and potential for becoming an effective counselor. At least one of these letters should be from an academic advisor or instructor. Please do not include letters written by personal friends, family friends, therapists, or acquaintances.
• College Transcripts: A transcript of course work (undergraduate and graduate) should be submitted from every college and university attended. Prior to matriculation, you must submit official transcripts to the Graduate College Admissions Office. If your GPA is less than 3.0, then you may submit a supplemental essay of no more than 250 words describing any circumstances that  may have affected your academic performance.
• Professional Resume: An up-to-date resume that attests to the applicant’s education, work, and volunteer experience should be included in the application packet. Work experience in counseling or a related field is highly desired.
• English Proficiency Examination:  It is a Graduate College policy that applicants whose native or first language is not English must submit proof of English proficiency. Applicants must submit official scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum acceptable score for admission to the Graduate College at the University of Vermont is 90 (Internet-based) for the TOEFL. The minimum acceptable score for a student receiving funding at the University of Vermont is 100 (Internet-based) for the TOEFL. The minimum acceptable score for admission to the Graduate College at the University of Vermont is 6.5 (Internet-based) for the IELTS. The minimum acceptable score for a student receiving funding at the University of Vermont is 7.0 (Internet-based) for the IELTS. For more information, please see the International Student Admissions page on the Graduate College website.

Interview

After an initial review of application materials, qualified applicants are invited to participate in a group interview via the MS Teams meeting platform. Current Counseling Program faculty facilitate the group interview. Applicants are interviewed within a group of others who are also applying to the Counseling Program.

The group interview is critical in the application process. Faculty will be looking for evidence of candidates’ self-awareness, degree of critical consciouness, ability to communicate with others, experience, interest and commitment to the profession of counseling. The interview will also offer candidates an opportunity to receive information about the Counseling Program at UVM and meet other students applying to the program.

Classes for Non-Matriculated Students

A select few of our introductory classes are open to non-matriculated students (when space is available). We encourage students interested in learning more about the UVM Counseling Program to enroll in a class before application or admission. The process for matriculation in these classes is through a wait list managed by program staff. Email cslgprog@uvm.edu or call 802-656-3888 with questions.

Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in ethically informed practices relevant to the setting in which they are working.
2. Students will display of a wide variety of advanced counseling skills relevant to the professional setting in which they are working.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in developmentally informed and theoretically sound case conceptualizations relevant to the context in which they are working, including, when appropriate the ability to provide accurate differential diagnoses.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to engage in a culturally informed manner with clients from a wide variety of backgrounds and from whom they differ in terms of race, ethnicity, sex, gender and gender expression, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, political beliefs and ability status.
5. Students will engage in strategies for identifying and addressing barriers, prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination.
6. Students will be aware of, or are willing to explore, how their own intrapersonal dynamics impact their professional practices.