HLC and SGfB Accreditation

Webster University carries full international accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Students at Webster Geneva therefore earn the same degree that is awarded in the United States.

The MA in Counseling with an Emphasis in Community Counseling is accredited by the Swiss Association for Counseling (referred to as Association Suisse de Conseil (French) and Schweizerische Gesellschaft fur Beratung SGfB (Swiss German) at the Geneva, Switzerland, campus. The accreditation allows master's students pursuing the degree in Geneva, Switzerland to apply for individual membership and the status of Members in Training SGfB, until receipt of their degree when they will become Active Members SGfB with the professional title "SGfB Counselor."

Seated student talking with peer

Curriculum and Coursework

MA in Counseling with an Emphasis in Community Counseling students usually begin their studies in August (Fall 1) or January (Spring 1). The program consists of 16 courses: nine core courses, three core field experience courses totaling 700 internship hours, as well as four electives chosen from eight options. Students who are interested in conducting research for a graduate thesis have the option to pursue this during their second year. All courses take place in the early evening.

Full-time students take two classes per term and graduate in about two years; part-time students take one class per term and typically finish in three to four years. Students can shift between full- and part-time study, fitting the program around their personal and professional schedules.

The Master of Arts in Counseling with an Emphasis in Community Counseling is offered exclusively at the Geneva, Switzerland campus and requires the satisfactory completion of 48 credit hours.

The curriculum consists of nine core courses (27 credit hours) that provide a comprehensive foundation in counseling theory and practice. These include:

  • Foundations of Counseling: The Helping Relationship
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
  • Theories of Counseling
  • Assessment
  • Techniques of Group Counseling
  • Lifestyle and Career Development
  • Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice
  • Research and Program Evaluation

A minimum of three core field experience courses (9 credit hours) of supervised field experience is required, including:

  • Counseling Learning Practicum (3 credit hours, 100 clinical hours)
  • Internship 1 (3 credit hours, 300 clinical hours)
  • Internship 2 (3 credit hours, 300 clinical hours)

Career Guidance and Internships

All students in the Counseling program benefit from individual career advice and will be guided toward appropriate internships as part of their studies. This can include hours undertaken in the dedicated on-campus counseling center. The department has built opportunities with international schools, private practices and a range of other organizations in Switzerland and abroad, where students can also gain experience.

Students work with a faculty advisor to select up to four elective courses (12 credit hours) from a list of options such as:

  • Psychopathology
  • Addictions and Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Grief and Bereavement
  • Marriage and Family
  • Trauma, Crisis and Emergency Relief
  • Mind and Body
  • School Counseling
  • Emotion-Focused Therapy

Students also have the option to complete a thesis.

Counselor licensing requirements vary by state. The Counseling curriculum is designed to satisfy the educational requirements for licensure in the states where we offer the Counseling program with the Emphasis in Clinical Mental Health. It is the student’s responsibility to educate themselves on the licensure or certification requirements of the state where they wish to pursue licensure or certification. Please note that state licensure and certification requirements are reviewed from time to time.

The Department of Professional Counseling is committed to ensuring students have the academic preparation to be eligible for initial licensure. Students should work closely with their academic advisor to ensure their program plan fulfills all educational requirements for licensure in their respective state. Majority of states in the U.S. call for educational requirements toward professional counseling licensure to include the completion of a 60-credit-hour graduate counseling degree. Therefore, students and/or graduates who select the community counseling 48-credit-hour emphasis may be required to complete additional graduate coursework should the student/graduate relocate to a state that requires a 60-credit-hour counseling master's degree.

Licensure by State:

State Licensure Information
Arkansas healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/arkansas-state-board-of-examiners-in-counseling
Colorado dpo.colorado.gov/ProfessionalCounselor
Connecticut portal.ct.gov/DPH/Practitioner-Licensing--Investigations/Professional-Counselor/Professional-Counselor-Licensing-Requirements
Florida floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/
Georgia sos.ga.gov/board-professional-counselors-social-workers-and-marriage-family-therapists
Illinois idfpr.illinois.gov/profs/profcounselor.html
Kansas ksbsrb.ks.gov/professions/professional-counselors
Massachusetts mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-license-allied-mental-health-and-human-services-professions
Missouri pr.mo.gov/counselors.asp
New Jersey njconsumeraffairs.gov/pc/Pages/default.aspx
North Carolina ncblcmhc.org/
South Carolina llr.sc.gov/cou/pub.aspx
Texas bhec.texas.gov/applying-for-a-license/
Virginia dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Counseling/
Washington certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/mental-health-counselor/licensing-information

Webster’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree prepares students for licensure in these 15 states. We know that life happens, and students may end up moving to a different state while in the program or after graduation. Most states require a similar core curriculum with differing additional requirements. For details on individual state licensure (LPC and LMHC) or certification requirements, consult counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements.

A Proven Path to Professional Success

With over 25 years of program success in Geneva, we have established a deep-rooted reputation for excellence. Our impact is local and lasting, as the majority of our alumni are currently practicing professionals within Switzerland.

To support your journey, we offer a flexible format consisting of 70% in-person and 30% online classes. This structure, featuring evening courses and both full- and part-time tracks, is designed to accommodate:

  • Those wishing to transition into counseling or integrate its principles into their current field.
  • Individuals returning to the professional world.
  • Those balancing academic studies with the needs of young children at home.
  • Professionals looking to retrain for a meaningful post-retirement or second career.
  • Students looking to build upon their undergraduate foundation.

Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for membership with the Swiss Counselling Association (Sgfb), American Counseling Association (ACA) and European Association for Counseling (EAC).

 

Alumna Jana Finlayson Shares Her Positive Webster Geneva Experience Where She Earned an MA in Counseling

Transcript

[Music]

Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus logo, Alumni Testimonials

[Ariel view of Webster Geneva Campus, trees and city.]

Text on screen: Jana Finlayson

[Finlayson sits inside at the Webster Geneva Campus near lighted windows showing a view of campus buildings.]

Finlayson: Hi, it's my pleasure to be here. My name is Jana Finlayson, and I studied a master's degree in Counseling here at Webster.

Text on screen: How Webster helped you build your career?

[Webster Geneva Campus buildings in the background.]

Finlayson: So Webster Geneva Campus helped me to build new skills and gain new experiences through practical and theoretical subjects. Working with clients in a real-life setting was extremely enriching, and I felt that I really was able to have a taste of what it's like, and it helped me to understand that this is something that I really love doing.

Text on screen: What was your most memorable experience?

[Webster Geneva Campus buildings in the background.]

Finlayson: So my most memorable experiences at Webster Geneva campus were studying books, studying course material, because we were getting the most recent knowledge, and also interacting with the professors and my colleagues, and also being a practicum student in a real-life setting. That was really enriching and helpful.

Text on screen: How was your journey after graduation?

[Webster Geneva Campus buildings in the background.]

Finlayson: So I graduated in May 2024. I'm a fresh graduate, and I already set up my private practice, and I am really looking — I’m looking forward to building on this base and expanding my practice further.

Text on screen: What advice would you give to students?

[Webster Geneva Campus buildings in the background.]

Finlayson: So my advice to new students who are interested in studying at Webster would be: choose a subject that you are passionate about, enjoy your learning, your journey, stay in the present moment, and after you finish your studies, build on the knowledge and experiences that you gained at Webster, and become the best version of yourself.

Text on screen: Webster Geneva Campus logo

[Instrumental music swells and ends.

Admission Requirements for MA in Counseling with an Emphasis in Community Counseling

To be eligible for the Master of Arts in Counseling with an Emphasis in Community Counseling program, all applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited university. While a degree in psychology is preferred, it's not a strict requirement.

If your undergraduate degree is not in psychology, you will need to complete six prerequisite courses before starting the program. These courses are made up of approximately 20 hours of online classroom teaching. Each course must be verified with proof of completion.

The prerequisite courses are:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Statistics
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Personality Theory

In addition, all applicants must demonstrate and document English language proficiency during the admission process. Candidates who meet these criteria and demonstrate relevant prior learning or professional experience will be invited to a personal interview, which can be conducted in person or by videoconference.

For a full list of online course options and links, or to ask any questions, please contact us at geneva.admissions@webster.edu.

For more detailed information, please refer to the General Admission Information and Additional Admission Requirements for MA in Counseling with an Emphasis in Community Counseling Program sections of the University catalog.

Applying to the Master of Arts in Counseling with an Emphasis in Community Counseling program is a straightforward process designed to be as seamless as possible. Webster University uses a rolling admissions model, which means you can submit your application at any time of the year.

The first step is to complete the online application. After submitting your application, you will be asked to provide several required documents, including:

  • Official transcripts from all previous universities attended.
  • Letters of recommendation from professional or academic references.
  • A personal essay outlining your goals and interest in the counseling field.
  • An updated résumé or curriculum vitae.

After reviewing your application materials, qualified candidates will be invited for a personal interview, which can be conducted in person or via video conference. This interview is a crucial step to determine your fit with the program and profession.

For international students or applicants whose native language is not English, you must also demonstrate English language proficiency. This can be done by providing official test scores from a recognized exam like the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test.

Xiaoxuan Qu
Exposed to Diversity and Depth in Learning

“The master degree in Counseling at Webster was an excellent program where one would find oneself exposed to diversity and depth in both learning and living. Find out who you are and the kind of person you would like to develop into, then follow your heart, and as you move forward, you will find people alike. This was the most valuable lesson I took away from my dear Webster Counseling faculty.”

Xiaoxuan Qu
Xiaoxuan Qu, Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico

MA in Counseling with an Emphasis in Community Counseling, ’17

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