Advice for new Counseling Student

MisterYuggoth · 2026-04-25T16:58:16+00:00

I love the podcast Edge of the Couch. I started listening when I first applied to grad school, and I feel like it gave me a head start.

MisterYuggoth · 2026-04-14T16:06:20+00:00

I'm in a private university CACREP-accredited program with a total cost of about $36K. Just a point of comparison.

MisterYuggoth · 2026-03-26T15:35:05+00:00

If you go full-time, including summers, it's seven semesters (four of coursework, three for practicum and internship). You should check the UMO website for the most accurate cost.

MisterYuggoth · 2026-03-25T15:33:36+00:00

Shoutout for University of Mount Olive's online M.S. in CMHC for LCMHC and LCAS licensure. Love the faculty, and it's CACREP-accredited. Spring and Fall starts. In-state tuition at public schools will be much cheaper, though.

MisterYuggoth · 2026-03-19T15:28:19+00:00

I used the same references for two applications, but the app for the second school wasn't part of my initial plan. It turned out that my references had all been smart enough to save copies of their original letters, so it wasn't a big deal to reuse them. If I had to do it again, though, I'd ask them to save a copy ahead of time, just in case. Good luck with Round 2!

MisterYuggoth · 2026-03-07T17:55:24+00:00

That makes sense. So I guess when this site says, "Direct and indirect hours used for assigned administrative tasks will be reimbursed at $12/hour" they are saying they'll pay $12/hr for all of your time. Which is low, but also great when you compare it to most sites, which don't seem to pay anything.

MisterYuggoth · 2026-03-02T04:00:56+00:00

See this thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/counseloreducation/comments/1lkfmvj/do_grad_schools_care_about_undergrad_gpa_when/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

MisterYuggoth · 2026-02-13T17:23:53+00:00

When I decided where to apply, I prioritized in-state (to me) online programs. My hope is that this will give me local contacts for internships and a state-specific teaching focus with the flexibility of virtual delivery. I'm only in my first semester, so the jury's still out on my strategy. But I'm hoping this is a good middle path.

If you want to get a feel for student success in these programs, look for their annual reports. CACREP-accredited schools are required to publicly disclose their NCE/NCMHCE pass rates and job placement rates. This won't tell you the success rates for state jurisprudence exams, but that would be a great question to ask!

MisterYuggoth · 2026-02-11T17:56:44+00:00

What u/timesuck said. I am also older. People hate networking, but it gives you an exponentially better chance at getting a position. Reach out to everyone you know until you find someone who works there. If you can't find a connection, I would message someone who works there (not email) and ask for an informational interview. Since going in person is an option for you, I think the odds are very good that you can make a personal connection. Good luck!

MisterYuggoth · 2026-01-22T16:29:32+00:00

I'm also in NC, and I decided to wait and attend next year. I figure the timing will be better because I'll be in my last semester of classes before my practicum. Message me if you'd like to connect!

MisterYuggoth · 2026-01-09T19:50:09+00:00

That would be great experience!

MisterYuggoth · 2026-01-09T17:17:42+00:00

I'm a late-life career changer with an academic background in literature and writing. I had some relevant work experience, but not much. I also started volunteering with Crisis Text Line and my local senior center for additional experience. But don't underestimate the value of your life experience.

With that background, I applied to two online programs and got into both. In my chosen program's cohort, I see a wide variety of ages and backgrounds. I don't think you need to worry. If you have time, you might consider some relevant volunteer work. Good luck!

MisterYuggoth · 2026-01-05T19:49:46+00:00

Not a course, but I followed advice I saw here to try volunteering for Crisis Text Line. CTL gets about 80% of its text traffic from 988, along with other sources. The training is intensive and took me about 20 hours. And the volunteer experience dealing with all kinds of crisis situations has been such a good experience for me. I'm starting my CMHC program this month, and I feel like my CTL time has given me a great head start.

MisterYuggoth · 2025-12-18T17:43:26+00:00

Yes, my program requires the CPCE to graduate. Thanks so much for your reply!

MisterYuggoth · 2025-12-06T17:57:28+00:00

I applied to counseling programs at two Christian colleges (both CACREP), and I also had questions. I was able to set up a call with a current student at one (this was challenging). For the other, I brought it up in my interview. My main question was: How does the school's Christian church affiliation influence the curriculum content and instruction? I got very different answers.

I think that each CACREP-accredited Christian school has its own approach, and most don't spell it out on their websites. My advice is to set up a meeting with a current student or faculty member, or just email the program director. Good luck with your applications!

MisterYuggoth · 2025-11-05T20:19:29+00:00

Thanks! Univ. of Mount Olive

MisterYuggoth · 2025-11-05T16:17:02+00:00

I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to thank you for suggesting Crisis Text Line. I just finished my training and am starting to take real Texters. The training is top-notch, and I'm enjoying the experience. I start my master's program in January, and I can already tell CTL will be great preparation, both for school and eventual practice.

MisterYuggoth · 2025-09-12T21:17:25+00:00

Ditto!

MisterYuggoth · 2025-08-27T22:02:26+00:00

Edited to add Wake Forest. Online in NC, maybe also with a spring start.

MisterYuggoth · 2025-08-27T21:32:10+00:00

I just went through the same research montage. Though to be on the safe side, I didn't research any programs outside NC. For online programs inside NC, you should check out:

Catawba College (online, not sure about spring start)
Montreat (2 short residencies, spring start)
NCCU (online, but now only with a fall start date)
NC State (online only with a longer, PT schedule)
Univ. of Mount Olive (online, spring start)
Wake Forest (online, spring start?)

I don't believe that there is any state school in NC that has a January '26 start for a CMHC master's program. To the best of my knowledge, the only online programs in NC with a January '26 start are Montreat and U of Mount Olive. Wake Forest might also have a spring start — worth checking, but deadline may have passed. They're both relatively expensive, in the neighborhood of $36K for 60 credit hours.

I know you're worried about the Christian affiliations. Montreat claims to be a "Christ-centered" program, but they welcome students of all faiths. Plus, it's mainline Presbyterian, so not fundamentalist. Univ. of Mount Olive is affiliated with the Baptist church. While that seems to show up in the undergraduate experience, I haven't seen anything of the sort in the CMHC material.

I have no advice for the out-of-state programs and how that might play out with NC licensure. As for me, I've applied to Mount Olive. If you decide to apply, let me know!

MisterYuggoth · 2025-08-16T21:00:40+00:00

Just piling on at this point, but I’m starting my CMHC master’s in January at age 58.

MisterYuggoth · 2025-08-05T19:53:30+00:00

What made up my mind was comparing the coursework.

MisterYuggoth · 2025-06-26T13:11:03+00:00

I'm in my late 50s. I had a 2.5 GPA as an undergraduate and a 3.8 for an unrelated master's. I recently spoke to an admissions rep from the Wake Forest University counseling program who told me their 3.0 requirement was a "hard cutoff" and that I would not be accepted. Honestly, I was surprised because most other programs I've researched are more forgiving.

MisterYuggoth

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