MA Curriculum and Accreditation
Master of Arts in Counseling
MA in Counseling students usually begin their studies in August (Fall 1) or January (Spring 1). The program consists of 16 courses: 13 core courses, including a thesis and three electives chosen from a menu of six. All courses take place in the evening. Blended Learning (combining face-to-face with remote learning) is offered to students from Zurich.
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.
Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and demonstrate either relevant prior learning or professional experience. If the student's undergraduate degree is not in psychology, then six prerequisite courses in psychology must be undertaken before beginning the program. English language proficiency must also be documented during the admissions process. Candidates who meet the general criteria will be invited for an interview (in person or by videoconference).
Webster University carries full international accreditation from the Higher Learning
Commission (HLC). Students at Webster Geneva Campus therefore earn the same degree
that is awarded in the United States. In addition, the MA in Counseling is accredited
by the Swiss Association for Counselling/Die Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Beratung
(SGfB).
Core Courses (10 courses)
- 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
- MA Counseling Thesis
Core Field Experience Courses (3 courses)
- Counseling Learning Practicum (100 hours)
- Internship 1 (300 hours)
- Internship 2 (300 hours)
Example elective courses (choice of three courses)
- Psychopathology
- Substance abuse
- Grief and bereavement
- Marriage and family
- Trauma, crisis, and emergency relief
- Mind and body
The Psychology and Counseling Department at Webster Geneva Campus is a research intensive one with our faculty, students and alumni joining an international community of dedicated researchers and practitioners. You can find out more about our main lines of research by visiting the Psychology and Society Group.
You may choose to add an extra emphasis. Find out more about the program and requirements: MA in Counseling with an Emphasis in Community Counseling
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.
“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, Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico
MA in Counseling, ’17
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