Overview
NSU Is a Comprehensive University with a Wide Range of Programs and a Top-Rated MS in Mental Health Counseling
Nova Southeastern University (widely known as NSU or Nova) is a private, coeducational research university located on three Florida campuses. The university also runs educational service centers--in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and West Palm Beach--and offers courses online in a sophisticated distance learning program.
NSU is the largest independent institution of higher education in the southeastern U.S. and the sixth-largest non-profit, independent university in the nation. Nova has produced over 110,000 alumni since its founding in 1964.
NSU's 18 colleges and schools offer in excess of 175 programs of study with more than 250 majors, and awards professional degrees in law, business, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, nursing, and the field of psychological studies.
To be considered as a graduate student in the Master's Program in Mental Health Counseling, applicants are required to present evidence of scholastic ability, serious interest in psychology and counseling, personal stability, and strong, responsible character. Minimum requirements include a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Students may seek admission to main campus programs for fall, winter, or summer sessions. Studies undertaken in NSU's "field-based clusters" start on various dates, and have flexible schedules.
Mental Health Counseling Master's Program Puts Students in the Real World with Practicum and Internship Experience
The mental health counseling program is a 60 credit hour program that includes at least three semesters of field experience and a comprehensive exam leading to the MS degree. The professional practice part of the program includes a practicum and internships that allow students to apply theory and develop hands-on counseling skills under expert supervision. Students complete this requirement of their training at an assigned agency or community placement, and the supervised sessions provide students invaluable experience in counseling clients from diverse backgrounds. Students are also required to successfully complete at least 750 total clinical treatment hours over a minimum of three consecutive semesters.
The practicum part of the program requires a minimum of 150 hours, with 40 hours of that being direct client contact of approximately 10 hours per week. An internship experience requirement necessitates at least two semesters with a minimum of 300 hours each, with 120 hours of direct client contact, or approximately 20 hours per week each term.
Students can complete additional semesters of clinical experience to meet the required hours, and graduate students desiring to apply for licensure should check their state requirements for clinical experience hour requirements before starting post-master's level supervision. If the hours required exceed those of the program, students may add additional semesters of clinical experience or increase practicum and/or internship hours. Students can also complete required and unfulfilled hours during employment or privately arrange for such supervised work, depending on permissions and requirements.
The supervised experience exposes students to advanced applied behavior analysis and the wealth of information that has been gleaned about the human condition through research and studies. In addition to learning about the empirical underpinnings of psychological theory and the inner working of the human brain (and "mind"), students get practical experience in community-based treatment methods such as substance abuse counseling and substance abuse education, always an area of great concern among mental health professionals.
The range of studies, from theory to application, ensures that students get the entire overview of the mental health counseling field. Students also receive introductions into the critical areas of specialization that will take them into a variety of positions in this growing field.
Diversity Is Ingrained in NSU's History and Mission, and Is a Point of Pride in Every Program Offered at the University
Nova Southeastern University is considered by many reviewers and observers to be the most diverse university in the country. The U.S. Department of Education agrees. The university is also considered to rank first in diversity in many doctoral categories. NSU awards the most doctoral degrees to African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans in the United States and enjoys similarly high ratings for diversity in awarding master's degrees (second in awarding master's degrees to Hispanics and third for awarding them to African Americans).
In addition, the Fischler School of Education and Human Services is the number one college in the U.S. in awarding doctorates in education, while the Nova Southeastern University's College of Pharmacy is the nation's most culturally diverse pharmacy program. One prestigious college review reported that the Shepard Broad Law School was among the top seven universities in America for minority students.
Center for Psychological Studies, Home of the Mental Health Counseling Program, Emphasizes Experiential Learning
Nova Southeastern University's Center for Psychological Studies was established in 1967. It is presently located in the Maltz building on NSU's main campus, where it is the center of a progressive, immersive graduate program that provides the highest-quality educational experience to current and future psychologists, researchers, educators, and counseling professionals.
Immersive, real-world training experiences are designed to provide students with a sophisticated, first-hand understanding of psychological research and the delivery of the finest mental health care and counseling services.
