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A Life-Changing Career in Counseling

Do you have the gift of listening and a passion for helping others? As a counselor or therapist, you have the power to help people find comfort, empowerment and life change by objectively listening to their concerns and determining their needs. Let TROY help take your education and career to the next level by pursuing your master's degree in counseling.

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“I chose Troy because of the flexibility of course offerings and because I would be getting a good quality education at my convenience. I also like that there are several campuses to choose from. I attended the Phenix City Campus, and I got to experience the big college campus experience in a smaller setting. I recommend Troy University because they meet you where you are, and build you into a better professional.”
Carla S. Wiley | Masters in School Counseling (M.S.) '18

Gain a Deeper Understanding of Counseling

The Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation, & Interpreter Training offers master's degree programs for students who have completed bachelor's degrees and are preparing themselves for employment as clinical mental health, school, or rehabilitation counselors.

TROY's counseling program is designed with your busy life in mind. With a dynamic mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning, you can easily fit your studies around work, family, and personal obligations. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to connect in person during the two three-day required residency sessions, where you can strengthen clinical competencies through experiential learning activities, foster professional identity and ethical decision-making, engage in faculty mentorship and peer networking, and demonstrate proficiency in counseling techniques through live practice and feedback.

Accredited degree programs

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.) and Rehabilitation Counseling (M.S) programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) under the 2016 standards. The School Counseling (M.S.Ed.) program is accredited by (CACREP) under the 2016 standards and the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP). The School Counseling Program is also certified by the State Department of Education (SDE) for the State of Alabama.
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Master of Science in Counseling Curriculum

Academic Catalog

Counseling

TROY's Counseling programs are offered to students online and require two three-day in-person residencies during the program. For more information about program availability, call 1-800-414-5756

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What Can You Do with a Graduate Degree in Counseling?

Troy University's graduate counseling programs train professional counselors who can significantly impact many people's lives. Whether students interested in the field want to work in a school setting, a vocational rehabilitation center, a mental health clinic, or another setting, TROY's counseling degree programs offer the necessary training and certification courses to prepare counselors to change lives.

The essential requirement to practice as a counselor is a master's degree. A national exam and licensure process are also part of preparing to practice as a professional. Licensure requirements vary by state. In Alabama, the post-master's supervision experience required for licensing is 3,000 supervised clinical hours. The state of Georgia's licensing requirements for post-master's supervision experience varies by degree (e.g., master's, specialist, doctoral), requiring a range of 1,000 – 3,000 supervised clinical hours. In Florida, the post-master's supervision required for licensing is 1,500 supervised clinical hours. If students have taken the National Counselors Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health National Examination (NCMHCE) before graduating from TROY, they will only need to accumulate the supervised clinical hours after graduating.

For those interested in a career in counseling, the job outlook is robust. Counselors work in so many settings from schools, private practice, mental health clinics, vocational rehabilitation centers, corporate businesses with Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), child protective service agencies, community organizations and religious organizations.

Students study and support each other

Careers in Counseling

For those interested in a career in counseling, the job outlook is robust. Counselors work in so many settings from schools, private practice, mental health clinics, vocational rehabilitation centers, corporate businesses with Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), child protective service agencies, community organizations and religious organizations.

Faculty Profiles

Sherrionda Crawford, Ph.D.

Sherrionda Crawford, Ph.D.

Dr. Sherrionda H. Crawford is an Associate Professor of School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), credentialed as a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in Georgia and Alabama, and a Certified School Counselor in the state of Alabama. Prior to becoming a professor at Troy, she provided valuable counseling services to children and adults in both clinical and school counseling settings. Dr. Crawford actively volunteers for the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) as a scholarship reviewer and mentor. Her research interests include trends in school counseling, interpersonal violence, and suicide prevention, as well as skill acquisition for counselors-in-training.
Learn more about our faculty 334-670-3350 scrawford@troy.edu
Shelley Reed, Ph.D., LPC, CACII, MAC, CPCS

Shelley Reed, Ph.D., LPC, CACII, MAC, CPCS

Dr. Reed is the Associate Chair for the Counseling, Rehabilitation, and Interpreter Training Program (CRIT) at Troy University. She serves as the Co-Faculty advisor for Chi Sigma Iota at the Phenix City Campus. She serves on numerous University, College, and Department committees. She and her colleagues received a state-funded grant in Suicide Prevention in Higher Education for four years and, most recently, the SAMHSA Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Grant.
Learn more about our faculty 334-448-5146 sreed36535@troy.edu
Samantha Booker, Ph.D.

Samantha Booker, Ph.D.

Dr. Samantha “Sam” Booker, Ph.D., LPC-S, IMH-E®, is the Assistant Chair of the Counseling, Rehabilitation, and Interpreter Training Program at Troy University. Dr. Booker is the Coordinator of the School Counseling Program and the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Program. She is a certified PK-12 school counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Alabama, an infant family specialist, and a private practitioner. She is also a certified DC: 0-5 Trainer and infant mental health reflective supervisor. Her research interests include birth to five training for practitioners, prevention and intervention techniques with PK-12 students, and school counselors' role in early intervention.
Learn more about our faculty 334-983-6556 sbooker@troy.edu

Tailor Your Counseling Master's Degree with Focus Area

The Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation, & Interpreter Training offers master's degree programs for students who have completed bachelor's degrees and are preparing themselves for employment as clinical mental health, school, or rehabilitation counselors.
M.S. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
This master's program in clinical mental health counseling is tailored to meet educational standards for state licensure and national counseling credentials. It has been designed to provide students with opportunities to develop their expertise in treatment planning, their knowledge of theory and of normal and pathological development and behavior as well as their understanding of how to apply counseling skills to various agency populations. 

Degree Map- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Academic Catalog- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
M.S. in Counseling: Rehabilitation Counseling

TROY's dedicated and celebrated counseling will familiarize you with the laws and regulations that govern the disability field. In this program, you'll be equipped to understand the causes and treatments of disabilities as well as various counseling theories and techniques. Your degree will also prepare you to recommend workplace accommodations for individuals with various disabilities, perform labor market and job analysis and facilitate the employment of individuals with disabilities through advocacy and assistance with job searches. A master's degree is necessary to become a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

TROY's unique Rehabilitation Counseling program allows the student to select one of five concentration areas:

  • Addictions Counseling
    • The addictions Counseling Concentration assists rehabilitation counseling students to work more effectively with individuals with co-occurring disabilities including drug, alcohol, and other substance abuse disorders. The curriculum emphasizes treatment modalities, prevention, and intervention.
  • Clinical Rehabilitation
    • The concentration in Clinical Rehabilitation provides the students with knowledge and skills in behavior pathology, diagnosis and treatment planning, and family therapy needed as a rehabilitation counselor specializing in services to individuals with mental illness.
  • Counseling Military Population
    • Students who complete a Concentration in Counseling Military Populations are uniquely qualified for a rehabilitation career in which they will assist members of the military, veterans, and their families with adjustment and employment issues.
  • Public and Community Rehabilitation
    • The Public and Community Rehabilitation Concentration is designed to prepare students with the advanced job development techniques and work accommodation skills needed in the rehabilitation of individuals in federal/state rehabilitation agencies and community rehabilitation programs.
  • Rehabilitation and Deaf/Hard of Hearing
    • The Concentration in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Studies prepares students for a career as a rehabilitation counselor for this specialty population. The curriculum includes exposure to Deaf culture, advocacy, and leadership, and the opportunity to become proficient in American Sign Language (ASL).

Troy University's Counseling Department has $3,000,000 in grant funding for the next five years designated to train students to become Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors. Students admitted to the Rehabilitation Counseling Program can apply to receive a portion of the grant funds to assist students with tuition and other financial obligations.

Degree Map- Rehabilitation Counseling
Academic Catalog- Rehabilitation Counseling
Master of Science in Education: School Counseling
Through these classes, you will develop the necessary counseling and interpersonal skills needed to manage a school counseling program. You will also learn proactive problem-solving skills and graduate with a comprehensive knowledge of academic, social, psychological and behavioral aspects of a student's life. 

Degree Map- School Counseling
Academic Catalog- School Counseling

Related Programs

Counseling Education SpecialistInfant and Early Childhood Mental Health Counseling Certificate

FAQ About the Master of Science in Counseling

Learn more about the field of counseling and our graduate programs.
What is the difference between an M.S., M.S. Ed. and Ed.S. in Counseling?
  • M.S.: Master of Science is the degree designation for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Rehabilitation Programs (these programs are CACREP accredited)
  • M.Ed.: Master of Education is the degree designation for the School Counselor Program (this program is CACREP accredited and regulated by the Alabama Department of Education).
  • Ed.S.: Education Specialist is a postgraduate degree in either School Counseling or Counseling
How much does a counselor with a master's degree make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics, the average annual salary for someone with a master's in counseling is $70,000. This can, however, vary greatly depending on where you are located and your employment sector.
Which is the best degree for counseling?
That is entirely depending on the career path you choose. While any undergraduate degree can lead to counseling-related jobs, professional counselors will need to complete an undergraduate and a master's degree in counseling.  TROY offers a variety of M.S., Ed. S., M.S. Ed., and certificate programs.
How can I become a school counselor?
The pathway to becoming a Professional School Counselor begins with a bachelor's degree. A master's degree from a School Counseling program is then required. Completing the School Counseling Masters typically includes the following: completion of course work, graduate-level practicum and internship, passing required exams, and applying for certifications and/or licensure.
How do I become a mental health counselor (LMHC & LPC)?
  • Complete a graduate degree in counseling.
  • Identify and complete the individual state requirements for licensure. 
How do I become a substance abuse counselor?
  • Apply for and complete a graduate degree in a counseling specialty (clinical mental health, rehabilitation, etc.)
  • Identify state requirements for certification as a substance abuse counselor (every state is different).
  • There are 3 National Organizations that certify Addiction Counselors: NAADAC, IC&RC, and NBCC.
How long does it take to become a counselor?
Time to degree completion is dependent upon the student.  However,  full-time students typically complete all degree requirements in 2 1/2 - 3 years.
What kind of license will I need to work as a counselor?
Licensure is governed by each individual state. Professional licensed counselors are typically referred to as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC)
Do I need both a master's and a specialized counseling certificate?
No, the certificate is a specialization in a specific area.  However, having certifications makes one more marketable.  

Helpful Links

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News

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Counseling Military, Vets and Families: Get the Skills You Need

When he was 19 years old, Dr. Tregon Fitch discovered that a minor hearing disability would prevent him from following in his father's footsteps and joining the army.

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Program Annual Reports

2023-24 Annual Comprehensive Program Report 2023-24 Counseling Program Student Outcomes 2022-23 Annual Comprehensive Program Report 2022-23 Counseling Program Student Outcomes 2021-22 Annual Comprehensive Program Report 2021-22 Counseling Program Student Outcomes 2020-21 Annual Comprehensive Program Report 2020-21 Counseling Program Student Outcomes 2019-20 Annual Comprehensive Program Report 2019-20 Counseling Program Student Outcomes 2018-19 Annual Comprehensive Program Report 2018-19 Counseling Program Student Outcomes

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