M.S. in Marriage & Family Counseling

Program Overview

The M.S. in Marriage & Family Counseling at Mississippi College is a 60-semester-hour program that trains professionals to work with individuals within the context of their relational systems. The mission of the program is to equip students with the core competencies and specialized knowledge necessary to effectively perform as marriage and family counselors. It focuses on developing skills to address common relationship issues as well as more complex family dynamics. Successful completion of the program assists graduates in making applications for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in Mississippi, as well as for national counseling certification.

CACREP Accreditation: Yes, Mississippi College's M.S. in Marriage & Family Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This accreditation is a highly significant benchmark in the counseling profession, ensuring that the program meets rigorous national standards for counselor preparation. CACREP accreditation is often a prerequisite for state licensure as a professional counselor or marriage and family therapist in many states and is highly valued by employers and for pursuing doctoral studies. The program's CACREP accreditation was extended through October 31, 2024, and it is common for programs to be in a re-accreditation process; prospective students should always verify the most current status directly with the university.

Curriculum: The 60-semester-hour curriculum is comprehensive, covering core counseling knowledge and specialized marriage and family therapy principles. Core coursework typically includes "Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling," "Theories of Personality and Counseling," "Multicultural Counseling," "Lifespan Development," "Use and Interpretation of Tests," "Helping Relationships," "Techniques of Group Counseling," "Research-Methods and Procedures," "Psychopathology," "Lifestyle and Career Counseling," and "Crisis Counseling." Specialized courses unique to the Marriage & Family Counseling track include "Introduction to Marriage and Family Counseling," "Addictions Counseling," "Family Dynamics and Counseling," and "Couple Dynamics and Counseling." A critical component of the program involves extensive supervised clinical training through required Practicum and Internship experiences. Students must also pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) prior to graduation.

Research Focus: The M.S. in Marriage & Family Counseling program at Mississippi College incorporates a research-informed approach to clinical practice. While a traditional thesis is not explicitly listed as a requirement, the curriculum includes a dedicated course on "Research-Methods and Procedures." This focus ensures that students are equipped to understand, critically evaluate, and apply evidence-based counseling interventions in their work with couples and families. They learn to utilize research to inform their diagnostic assessments, treatment planning, and evaluation of therapeutic outcomes. The program aims to produce practitioners who are both clinically skilled and grounded in the scientific underpinnings of the counseling profession.

Industry Engagement: The M.S. in Marriage & Family Counseling program at Mississippi College demonstrates strong industry engagement through its direct preparation for professional counseling roles. The curriculum is designed to meet the educational requirements for state licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and often contributes to requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in some states (though LMFT licensing bodies often have distinct accreditation, COAMFTE). The mandatory practicum and internship experiences provide extensive supervised clinical hours in real-world settings such as community mental health agencies, hospitals, private practices, and church counseling centers. This direct engagement provides invaluable practical experience and networking opportunities. Faculty members often have active clinical practices and leadership roles in professional counseling associations, bringing current industry insights and connections to the classroom.

Global Perspective: The M.S. in Marriage & Family Counseling program inherently fosters a global perspective by addressing the universal aspects of human relationships, family systems, and the impact of culture on mental health and well-being. While counseling practices may vary, the core principles of understanding systemic dynamics, communication patterns, and interpersonal relationships transcend cultural boundaries. The "Multicultural Counseling" course is a required component, ensuring students develop cultural competency to work effectively with diverse populations, including individuals and families from various global backgrounds who may be navigating acculturation challenges or culturally specific family dynamics. Mississippi College's commitment to recruiting a diverse student body further enriches classroom discussions with a wide array of international perspectives on family structures and societal norms.