LPC Graduate Program Requirements

2 semester or 3 quarter graduate-level credits are required in each of the following areas:
 
Counseling Theory
Studies of basic theories, principles and techniques of counseling and their application to professional counseling clinical settings.

 

Human Growth & Lifespan Development
Studies that provide an understanding of the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental levels, from birth to old age.

 

Social & Cultural Foundations
Studies that provide an understanding of the cultural context of relationships, issues and trends in a diverse society. Includes such factors as culture, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental and physical characteristics, family values, education, religious and spiritual values, socio-economics status, etc.

 

Helping Relationship
Studies that provide an understanding of counseling and consultant characteristics that influence the helping process (age, gender, ethnic factors, etc.); essential interview and counseling skills to develop a therapeutic relationship, set goals, maintain boundaries, evaluate client outcome, and terminate.

 

Group Dynamics
Studies of theoretical and experiential understandings of group purpose, development, dynamics, counseling theories and methods.

 

Lifestyle & Career Development
Studies of the career counseling process, techniques and resources as well as career development.

 

Diagnosis & Appraisal of Individuals
Studies that provide an understanding of individual & group approaches to diagnosis using DSM, assessment and evaluation (standardized and non-standardized testing, performance assessment, individual and group test and inventory methods). Diagnosis training is mandatory.

 

Research & Evaluation
Studies that provide an understanding of research methods, statistical analysis, needs assessment and program evaluation.

 

Professional Orientation
Studies of the following aspects of professional functioning: history and philosophy of the counseling profession; professional roles and relationships with other human service providers, credentialing, advocacy processes, ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.

Supervised Experience

• For graduate degrees granted on or after October 1, 2014: At least 700 total clock hours, including 280 direct client contact hours.
• For graduate degrees granted before October 1, 2014: At least 600 total clock hours, including 240 direct client contact hours.

• Had supervisory staff with a minimum of a master's degree in the program emphasis and with pertinent professional experience;
• Made provision for faculty monitoring of operations;
• Kept records of student-client contact hours including summary of student progress by the supervisor;
• Had a written agreement with the program and student specifying learning objectives; and
• Had a mechanism for program evaluation.

Remedying Program Deficiencies

The following types of deficiencies may be remedied in order for an applicant to qualify for licensure.

For reciprocity applicants only: three years or more of active licensure to practice professional counseling in another U.S. state may substitute for the above coursework and degree program supervised experience requirements.

Coursework Deficiencies

Supervised Experience Deficiencies