Counselor Education
Our Mission
The mission of the Department of Counselor Education is to prepare ethical professionals who are reflective practitioners and scholars. Graduates from our programs are qualified to practice in a variety of educational and behavioral health settings. We strive for an inclusive learning community encouraging professional growth and innovation through a balance of challenge and support.
Degree Programs
The Department of Counselor Education offers a 60-credit Master of Arts in Counseling that prepares graduate students to become licensed professional counselors (LPCs). Students are required to enroll in one of two cognate areas:
- School Counseling
- Addiction Counseling
The Department of Counselor Education also offers a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. This program prepares counselor educators and leaders in the field of counselor education and supervision.
The Master of Arts in Counseling, School Counseling cognate, the Master of Arts in Counseling, Addiction Counseling cognate, and the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision are CACREP accredited.
Program Objectives
The program objectives are consistent with the mission and guiding philosophy of the program. The program objectives are designed to be measurable. Core program objectives are tied to the CACREP 8 curriculum areas as well as program key performance indicators (KPIs). Specialty area objectives are tied to CACREP competencies and KPIs in the areas of school counseling and addiction counseling.
- Students will develop a strong identity as professional counselors who embrace ethical practice, advocacy, and reflection within the context of a multicultural and pluralistic society.
- Students engage in self-reflection while learning theories and models that facilitate effectively working with a diversity of clients. Students consider elements of power and privilege as they adapt their counseling practice to meet the needs of their clients.
- Students will learn how biopsychosocial factors influence development and functioning across the lifespan and integrate a developmental perspective in their counseling practice.
- Students learn the significance of career development across the lifespan. Students will learn strategies (e.g., assessment, resource identification, and advocacy) to help individuals develop a career plan and address career-related challenges.
- Students will learn theories and skills that promote a personalized approach grounded in evidence-based practice for working with clients. Students will learn common factors underlying ethical and effective counseling practice.
- Students will learn theories and processes related to group formation and facilitation in a variety of settings.
- Students will gain the knowledge needed to administer, interpret, and/or utilize assessment tools in an ethical and culturally appropriate manner to guide clinical and educational decisions.
- Students will acquire knowledge and skills related to research methodology, statistical methods, and the use of qualitative and quantitative findings to guide data-informed decision making and evaluation of counseling practice. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
School Cognate Objectives: Students will acquire knowledge and skills for competent practice in their counseling specialty area.
Addiction Cognate Objectives: Students will acquire knowledge and skills for competent practice in their counseling specialty area.