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Adelphi, Md. (May 16, 2024)— One of the big takeaways of the COVID-19 pandemic is the nation’s growing mental health crisis, particularly the need for expanded mental health support for children and adults. ������Ƶ (UMGC) is responding to the national shortage of mental health professionals by launching a Master of Science in Clinical Professional Counseling (MSCPC) degree program.

Like many of the academic programs at UMGC, the new graduate degree responds to workforce needs. “Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations,” according to the .

“Both in Maryland and nationally, there is an unmet need for professional counselor preparation,” said MSCPC Program Director Phyllis Medina, PhD. “UMGC is well positioned to help fill these gaps and to expand opportunities for new students and career changers.”

The master’s degree offers students the opportunity to choose among specific areas of focus, including substance use, dependency and addictions; marriage and family counseling; child and adolescent counseling; military culture and family dynamics; gerontological counseling; and sex therapy. Once students select an area of focus, they can take elective courses geared toward their interest.

“We need to think of counseling not just as being responsive to mental health in that we’re looking at crisis. We’re also looking at wellness to help children and youth and families develop resilience,” Medina said.

Students in the program are required to complete 60 credit hours along with 700 hours of supervised practicum and internship experience. MSCPC students will receive fundamental skills, knowledge and competencies that support counseling licensure and delivery of services in community and business settings. UMGC’s first cohort will begin in fall 2024 and the program will be offered to Maryland residents for the 2024-2025 academic year. There are plans to expand in the future. 

“The goal is to prepare graduates for licensure and successful practice as independent and effective counselors in various mental health settings,” Medina said.

UMGC also offers a bachelor’s degree in psychology and an undergraduate certificate in clinical mental health care.

Visit umgc.edu for more information and to apply for the Master of Science in Clinical Professional Counseling program.

About ������Ƶ
������Ƶ was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers. Today, UMGC is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland and continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide and more than 125 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland. For more information, visit umgc.edu.