Online Master’s in Counseling

Gain skills to counsel diverse communities

The online Master's in Counseling program prepares you to make a difference in the world, and to build a career doing it.

Are you driven to support and inspire others? Do you want to help them overcome challenges and become stronger individuals? When you enroll in the online Master’s in Counseling program from PennWest, you’ll be ready for a lifetime of service to others.

This 100% online program not only prepares you to make a difference, but to build a career doing it.

The mission of the Counseling Department at PennWest University is to prepare professional counselors who embody ethical and culturally responsive behavior, advocacy and social justice, and a professional identity as a counselor. Students will use these attributes to enhance the well-being of families, groups, couples, and individuals and advocate on behalf of both the counseling profession and those who are served. The faculty at PennWest are a diverse community of counselor educators and art therapists who facilitate students’ development, model appropriate professional behavior, and engage in dynamic teaching, service, leadership, and scholarship. Our students are expected to develop self-awareness, a strong knowledge base, effective counseling skills, and cultural humility to practice ethically and professionally within a diverse society. Consistent with these expectations is the emphasis placed upon graduate student interpersonal effectiveness. This effectiveness includes growth in the dimensions of warmth, empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness with others.

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CACREP Vital Stats Report - California

CACREP Vital Stats Report - Edinboro

CAAHEP Art Therapy Employment Outcomes and Retention Data

Nationally Ranked

Rated a Top Program in the Northeast by Best Counseling Degrees and ranked #4 among the 10 Best Deals in Online Master’s in School Counseling.

CAAHEP Accreditation

The Master of Science in Counseling with a concentration in Art Therapy is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs upon the recommendation of The Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education.

PennWest Edinboro was the first art therapy program in the United States to receive CAAHEP accreditation.

CACREP Accreditation

Although California University and Edinboro University were CACREP accredited before the integration on July 1, 2022, we must apply for CACREP accreditation as a new university. We plan to apply to CACREP in January 2023 and hope to have a site visit during the spring semester of 2024.

Only the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling concentrations are CACREP accredited.

Concentrations

The Art Therapy concentration prepares counselors to meet the academic, career, and social/emotional needs of diverse student populations. The Art Therapy program recognizes that Art Therapists work with a variety of clients in a variety of settings in a variety of ways including: individual and small group counseling/art therapy. Students in the art therapy concentration experience a variety of educational and practicum opportunities to learn and practice skills in counseling/art therapy. The mission of the Art Therapy concentration is to prepare competent entry-level Art Therapists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Master’s in Counseling with a Concentration in Art Therapy Goals and Student Learning Outcomes:

The graduate school experience is one that should reach beyond academic learning. Students will participate in activities that will help them become more aware of themselves in counseling relationships and in relationships with others.

Program Goal 1: Graduate students will be intellectually prepared with the knowledge and skill necessary for the Art Therapy profession.‍

Understand the historical development of art therapy as a profession, art therapy theories and techniques, as a foundation for contemporary art therapy professional practice. (ACATE SLO a.)
Distinguish among the therapeutic benefits of a variety of art processes and media, strategies and interventions, and their applicability to the treatment process for individuals, groups, and families. (ACATE SLO b.)
Apply principles of human development, artistic and creative development, human sexuality, gender identity development, family life cycle, and psychopathology, to the assessment and treatment of clients. (ACATE SLO j.)

Program Goal 2: Students demonstrate competency in case conceptualization and clinical practice.

Select culturally and developmentally appropriate assessment and evaluation methods and administer and interpret results to identify challenges, strengths, resilience, and resources for art therapy treatment planning. (ACATE SLO d.)
Recognize clients’ use of imagery, creativity, symbolism, and metaphor as a valuable means for communicating challenges and strengths and support clients’ use of art-making for promoting growth and well-being. (ACATE SLO h.)
Understand the basic diagnostic process and the major categories and criteria of mental disorders, corresponding treatments, and commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications. (ACATE SLO o.)

Program Goals 3: Students will exhibit competent Art Therapy counseling behaviors across diverse cultural and social situations.•

Develop culturally appropriate, collaborative, and productive therapeutic relationships with clients. (ACATE SLO e.)
Recognize that art therapy, from a multicultural perspective, takes into consideration the specific values, beliefs, and actions influenced by a client’s race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, political views, sexual orientation, geographic region, physical capacity or disability, and historical or current experiences within the dominant culture. (ACATESLO c.)
Recognize the impact of oppression, prejudice, discrimination, and privilege on access to mental health care, and develop responsive practices that include collaboration, empowerment, advocacy, and social justice action. (ACATE SLO n.)

Program Goals 4: Students will exhibit ethical behavior in the field and be able to integrate theory and research with professional skills and techniques.

Know federal and state laws and professional ethics as they apply to the practice of art therapy. (ACATE SLO f.)
Recognize and respond appropriately to ethical and legal dilemmas using ethical decision making models, supervision, and professional and legal consultation when necessary. (ACATE SLO g.)
Recognize the legal, ethical, and cultural considerations necessary when conducting art therapy research. (ACATE SLO i.)

Program Goals 5: Students pursue a professional identity as an Art Therapist and be self-directed and responsible professionals‍

Understand professional role and responsibility to engage in advocacy endeavors as they relate to involvement in professional organizations and advancement of the profession. (ACATE SLO k.)
Continuously deepen self-understanding through personal growth experiences, reflective practice, and personal art-making to strengthen a personal connection to the creative process, assist in self-awareness, promote well-being, and guide professional practice. (ACATE SLO l.)
Pursue professional development through supervision, accessing current art therapy literature, research, best practices, and continuing educational activities to inform clinical practice. (ACATE SLO m.)

Credits: 60
Start Terms: Fall, Spring
Admission Requirements:

Complete the online application and pay the application fee.
Provide an official transcript verifying an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Include all transcripts of courses taken outside of the degree that contain prerequisite courses. International applicants should contact graduate admissions for additional guidance (GradAdmissions@pennwest.edu).
Provide the name, email address, and place of employment for two (2) references (electronic reference requests will be emailed to each).
Complete and Admissions Essay that is 750-1000 words, written in APA 7th edition format and contains at least two references that addresses:
1. Why do you want to study art therapy at PennWest?
2. In your research, what have you learned about the profession of art therapy?
3. What are the personal and professional experiences that have you led you to choose a career in art therapy?
4. How do you envision your future role as a professional art therapist?
A link to an online portfolio (ex. Flickr, Dropbox, Snapfish) of 20 images of applicant’s art demonstrating a variety of 2- and 3-D pieces.
Prerequities:
1. Psychology: 12 credits in that must include Abnormal or Psychopathology and a course related to development.
2. Studio Art: 18 credits in 2- and 3-D studio art areas. Up to six credits can be done as portfolio approval.
An interview is a requirement of the admission process for the Counseling programs. Once your application is complete, it will be sent to the Program Coordinator for review. If selected for an interview, the Coordinator will be in contact with you. Interviews are scheduled for 30 minutes and are conducted using Zoom.

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PennWest University’s master’s degree in Counseling (School Counseling Concentration) trains students to be prepared to function as dynamic and highly effective school counselors on the elementary and secondary levels in Pennsylvania public schools. This program satisfies all requirements for PK-12 school counseling certification eligibility. The requirements include a 60-credit master’s degree and 720 hours of supervised field experience. In addition, students graduating with the school counseling concentration will also be eligible to become licensed as a Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania (LPC) and other states. They will be able to serve in that capacity in a variety of settings including mental health, human services, working with adults and children, and many others including private practice. Students will need two or more additional years of supervised work experience after graduation to complete the requirements for LPC in Pennsylvania. This program is taught by highly experienced professionals who have experience working in public schools and in community mental health.

Program Goals

It is expected that graduates of the PennWest University school counseling concentration will:

Be competent professional counselors.
Be knowledgeable about ethics, theory, clinical skills, and school counselor roles and functions.
Promote counselor accountability and professional credibility. • Be psychologically healthy people who use high levels of self-awareness in their work.
Learn how to become advocates and educational leaders within a pluralistic school and community that will assist in the academic, career and social development of students.
Become familiar with ASCA model of School Counseling.
Be provided learning experiences in the following CACREP identified general content areas, professional identity, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, helping relationships, group work assessment, research and program evaluation

Program Objectives‍

Demonstrate knowledge of the history, philosophy, and trends in school counseling.
Development of a “Plan of Study” for each student including 60 graduate credits that meet the educational requirements for certification as a school counselor and counselor licensure in the state of Pennsylvania.
Demonstrate knowledge of the school setting and curriculum.
Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical standards and guidelines of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), of policies, laws, and legislation relevant to school counseling.
Demonstrate methods of planning and presenting guidance-related educational programs for school personnel and parents. • Use surveys, interviews, and needs assessments and data to improve the school environment.
Design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive developmental school program.
Implement and evaluate specific strategies designed to meet program goals and objectives.
Design appropriate developmental structured activities for small groups, peer helper groups, classroom guidance, and programs for a pluralistic school community.
Demonstrate knowledge of issues which may affect the development and functioning of children and adolescents (e.g., abuse, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders).
Demonstrate methods of consulting with parents, teachers, administrators, support staff and community agency personnel.

Credits: 60
Start Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
Admission Requirements: 3.0/2LOR/Essay/Resume/Interview/GRE-MAT if GPA is under 3.0

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Core Faculty

Dr. Kevon Bruce
Assistant Professor
204D Butterfield @ Edinboro
814-732-1640
kbruce@pennwest.edu

Dr. Adrienne Dixon-McCullum
Assistant Professor
127 Butterfield @ Edinboro
814-732-1932
amdixon@pennwest.edu

Dr. Grafton Eliason
Professor
312 Building B @ California
724-938-4464
eliason@pennwest.edu

Dr. Julaine E. Field
Department Chair, CACREP Liaison, and Associate Professor
204A Butterfield Hall @ Edinboro
814-732-2794
jfield@pennwest.edu

Dr. Elizabeth Gruber
Campus Lead, Program Coordinator for College Counseling and Student Services and Professor
313 Building B @ California
724-938-1567
gruber@pennwest.edu

Dr. Sheila Lorenzo de la Peña
‍Undergraduate Coordinator for Art Therapy and Assistant Professor
204B Butterfield Hall @ Edinboro
814-732-1237
slorenzo@pennwest.edu

Dr. Mark Lepore
Program Coordinator for School
Counseling and Professor 128 Harvey @ Clarion
814-393-2474
mlepore@pennwest.edu

Dr. Gabriella Locke
Program Coordinator for Clinical
Rehabilitation and Assistant Professor
Butterfield Hall @ Edinboro
814-732-2421
glocke@pennwest.edu

Dr. Penelope P. Orr
Professor
125 Butterfield Hall @ Edinboro
814-732-1684
porr@pennwest.edu

Dr. Everett Painter
Fieldwork Coordinator and Assistant Professor
126 Butterfield Hall @ Edinboro
814-732-1567
epainter@pennwest.edu

Dr. Carolyn Brown Treadon
Program Coordinator for Art Therapy and Assistant Professor Butterfield Hall @ Edinboro
814-732-1104
ctreadon@pennwest.edu

Dr. Jacqueline A. Walsh
Professor
311 Building B @ California
724-938-4123
walsh@pennwest.edu

Dr. Katherine Wardi-Zonna
Graduate Certificate Coordinator and Associate Professor
120 Butterfield Hall @ Edinboro
814-732-1256
kwardizonna@pennwest.edu

Dr. Jake Wheatley
Program Coordinator for Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Assessment Coordinator, and Assistant Professor
311 Building B @ California
724-938-4874
wheatley@pennwest.edu

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Online Master’s in Counseling

Gain skills to counsel diverse communities

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Credits:

Format:

Contact:

Concentrations

Core Faculty

Admissions Requirements

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