1. Master of Science in Counseling
“Where the Pieces Come Together”
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2. = Maximum Marketability & Earning Potential
The SMU Advantage:
1 program
+ 3 track options
+ 4 specialization areas
+ Numerous elective courses
= Maximum Marketability & Earning Potential

3. How the SMU Advantage Works
One program, three track options:
Licensed Professional Counselor
Marriage & Family Therapist
School Counselor
Plus two specialization areas:
Licensed chemical dependency counselor (LCDC)
Child & Play counseling
Expressive Art Therapy
Child Custody Evaluations
Plus, numerous elective courses, summer courses at SMU-in-Taos, and study abroad opportunities

4. The SMU Advantage allows you to train in multiple disciplines, all in one location – often with no additional coursework.

5. Finding the Best Fit for YOU: Three Tracks to Success
LPC
LMFT SC

6. The Licensed Professional Counselor Track

7. What is Professional Counseling?
An approach consisting of numerous models for the promotion of healthy mental & emotional functioning.

8. The LPC Distinction
LPCs are trained to focus on individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (intrapsychic and/or behavioral emphasis).
LPCs are typically client-centered & use a therapeutic relationship of warmth, acceptance & positive regard as the medium for change.

9. What do LPCs do?
Work with children, adolescents, adults & groups in a variety of agency & private practice settings
Address mental and behavioral health issues
Promote mental & emotional well-being & functioning

10. Why Study LPC? Broad Recognition & Acceptance
LPC is one of the most widely recognized and accepted mental health professional designations.
Because of this, employers will recognize and respect your qualifications.
Your credentials & training will be accepted in nearly all MH work settings and provider panels in every state.

11. Why Study LPC? Expandable Versatility
With an LPC background, you can obtain specialized training in such areas as child/play therapy, substance abuse treatment, or geriatrics.
LPC means you can work just about anywhere – specialized training means you can market yourself as having distinct expertise.

12. Who Should Study LPC? LPC may be right for you if…
You like the idea of understanding people’s thoughts, perceptions, feelings, & actions
You want to help individuals with their overall well-being & adjustment to life changes
You enjoy working “one on one” to help people understand themselves better, exercise better choices, and lead more satisfying lives.

13. How do I Study LPC at SMU?
You have several options to suit your interests!
LPC Track – prepares you for LPC licensure with room left over for electives
LPC/LMFT Dual Track – prepares you for dual licensure in 60 hours (no added coursework)
LPC Electives – prepares you to work with particular issues & populations in conjunction with your LMFT or School Counselor licensure.

14. The Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Track
What, Why, Who, How, & Where?

15. What is Marriage & Family Therapy? (MFT)
MFT is an approach to mental, emotional, and behavioral health that emphasizes the importance of relationships to individuals, couples, families, and larger groups
Individual
Family
Community/Culture

16. The MFT Difference
MFTs are trained to think systemically – to see each individual in the context of group membership & influence (friends, family, co-workers, culture, etc.) ME
WORK
FAMILY

17. What do MFTs do?
Work with individuals, couples, families, & groups in a variety of agency & private practice settings
Address mental and behavioral health issues with particular attention to systemic contexts (e.g., family & social relationships, cultural & societal influences)
Promote mental, emotional, & relational functioning for individuals & larger systems such as families or groups

18. Why Study MFT? Expanded Treatment Options
Imagine a mother comes to you to discuss conduct problems with her child. As an MFT, you have the options to:
Do play therapy with the child
Conduct parent training with the mother & father
Provide couple therapy to the parents
Work with family subsystems such as siblings or grandparents
Provide family therapy to facilitate whole family functioning

19. Why Study MFT? Expanded Practice Opportunities
Expertise to treat individuals, couples, families & groups
Competence to work with multiple ages, backgrounds, and complex problems involving multiple people
Ability to offer effective brief therapy

20. Who Should Study MFT? MFT may be right for you if…
You think a lot about how families & other important relationships affect individual and relational functioning & quality of life
You are invested in improving relationships such as couple, parents, & families
You like the idea of helping whole systems at the same time

21. How do I Study MFT at SMU?
You have several options to suit your interests!
LMFT Track – prepares you for LMFT licensure with room left over for electives
LPC/LMFT Dual Track – prepares you for dual licensure in 60 hours (no added coursework)
LMFT Electives – prepares you to think systemically and work with relational issues within LPC or School Counselor licensure.

22. The School Counselor Track

23. What is School Counseling?
An approach to mental, emotional, and behavioral health that emphasizes the healthy functioning of children, adolescents, & adults.

24. What do School Counselors do?
School counselors understand human development & the developmental needs of people as individuals, as social beings, and as learners across the lifespan.
School counselors master a wide range of skills, including assessment, modifying the learning environment, testing, parent consultation, college & career counseling, and critical incident response.

25. Why Study School Counseling? Making a difference!
School counselors are often the first point of contact when a student has learning, social, or emotional difficulties
By working with children, parents, & teachers, school counselors can have an important impact on students’ entire school experience – and beyond.

26. Why Study School Counseling? A Passion for Learning
As an School Counselor, you can:
Intervene at the “right time” in a student’s development to promote lasting improvements in learning, self-esteem, family life, and peer relations.
Facilitate students’ ability to learn in the classroom, but also to love learning and to aim high in their life goals.

27. Who Should Study School Counseling?
School Counseling may be right for you if…
You’re a teacher but want to work more closely with students on issues that are important to them & their families
You think a lot about how students’ cognitive, social, & emotional functioning affects their ability to learn and achieve
You are invested in helping learners reach their potential
You like the variety & challenge of using different types of skills and working with a different types of people every day

28. How do I Study School Counseling at SMU?
You have several options to suit your interests!
School Counseling Track – prepares you for School Counselor licensure with room left over for electives
Dual Track with LPC or LMFT– prepares you for work in multiple settings &/or future career options (no added coursework)
LMFT or LPC Electives – prepare you to better understand mental & emotional issues, coordinate care with families, or plan for future career options.

29. Where do I get More Information?
Dr. Gay McAlister, Counseling Program Director
Your academic advisor
Or contact our track specialists:
School Counseling: Dr. Gay McAlister
LMFT: Dr. Maggie Keeling
LPC: Dr. Brandy Schumann
LCDC: Dr. Misty Solt