Online master degree in counseling

SAVANNAH, Ga., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- South University will begin offering a new Master of Arts (M.A.) in Professional Counseling degree program beginning in April 2005. The program is targeted to those who have an interest in professional counseling in community mental health agencies and private practice, and it will prepare graduates to become certified as National Certified Counselors by the National Board of Certified Counselors.

"The new M.A. in Professional Counseling complements South University's existing undergraduate programs in physical therapy, healthcare management, and medical assisting," says South University Chancellor John T. South. "Having a graduate-level program of this quality will increase our stature in the community and allows South University to continue being a leader in delivering in-demand, health-related curricula to students and professionals in the southeastern United States."

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics' 2004-05 Occupational Outlook Handbook, overall employment of counselors is expected to grow faster than the average - as much as 35% -- for all occupations through the year 2012. The need for licensed professional counselors in the country will continue to swell as people become more comfortable seeking professional help for a variety of health, personal and family problems. Employers also are increasingly offering employee assistance programs that provide mental health and alcohol and drug abuse services. More people are expected to use these services as society focuses on ways of developing mental well-being, such as controlling stress associated with job and family responsibilities.

The 72-quarter credit hour program will require a bachelor's degree for admission. The program is tailored to accommodate the needs of working professionals; classes will be offered on weekends, and students typically will take two classes per quarter, allowing completion of the program in approximately 27 months. In addition to the traditional classroom setting, students will be assigned supervised field placement experience, and clinical internships.

The M.A. in Professional Counseling degree program will be offered at all four South University campus locations: Savannah, Ga., West Palm Beach, Fla., Montgomery, Ala., and Columbia, S.C.

South University is now accepting applications for Spring Quarter enrollment. For more information about enrolling in the M.A. in Professional Counseling program at South University, visit http://www.southuniversity.edu/ online .

Originally founded as Draughon's Practical Business College in 1899 in Savannah, Ga., South University is a private academic institution offering focused and balanced curricula at the associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels in business, information technology, health professions, and legal studies at its four campuses located in Savannah, Montgomery, Ala., West Palm Beach, Fla., and Columbia, S.C. South University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, 404.679.4501) as a Level V institution eligible to award associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

The parent company of South University, Education Management Corporation ( http://www.edmc.com/ ), is among the largest providers of private post- secondary education in North America, based on student enrollment and revenue. Student enrollment exceeded 66,000 as of fall 2004. EDMC has 70 primary campus locations in 24 states and two Canadian provinces. EDMC's education institutions offer a broad range of academic programs concentrated in the media arts, design, fashion, culinary arts, behavioral sciences, health sciences, education, information technology and business fields, culminating in the award of associate's through doctoral degrees. EDMC has provided career-oriented education for over 40 years.

CONTACT: Mark C. Toth, Public Relations Specialist, +1-412-995-7263, mtoth@edmc.edu , or Jacquelyn P. Muller, AVP - - Public Relations, +1-412-995-7262, or jpmuller@edmc.edu , both for South University

Web site: http://www.southuniversity.edu/ http://www.edmc.com/