Counselor Education

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OVERVIEW

The Master’s degree in Counselor Education is designed with a mission to prepare counselors to work in mental health, school, and career counseling settings who promote social justice and responsibility, serve as leaders in a diverse and global community, and respond to the complexity of human needs across the lifespan.  The Counselor Education Program is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and is an endorsed member of the International Registry of Counselor Education Programs (IRCEP).  Students may prepare for the National Certified Counselor credential offered by the National Board of Certified Counselors, the NC Licensed Professional Counselor Associate credential, and the Licensed School Counselor credential granted by the NC Department of Public Instruction.  Additionally, the counselor education program is recognized as a Criteria C school for Licensure as a Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS).   The Master of Arts degree in Counselor Education is completed within one of the three specialization tracks although a student may decide to become a dual major and complete all requirements for more than one course of study.

The program objectives for all program specializations are to develop counselors who:

1. Develop a theoretically solid philosophy of practice integrating research data into evidence-based practices;
2. Apply knowledge, skills, and dispositions consistent with the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics;
3. Formulate a professional identity that responds to the needs of their client populations while utilizing culturally competent practices and appropriate assessment tools and procedures;
4. Act with expertise in individual, group, and family counseling with diverse clients on personal, social, emotional, career, and educational issues that impact development across their lifespan;
5. Develop leadership ability and advocate to meet client needs and to remove individual and systemic barriers to development and consult with other professionals concerning the developmental needs of culturally diverse clients;
6. Build and sustain collaborative partnerships with stakeholders for promoting social justice, equity, and access.

All program tracks share core courses fundamental to becoming a competent counselor and each track includes specialty classes designed to expand the knowledge base of a particular specialization in mental health, school, or career counseling.  A major emphasis of the training is on culminating clinical experiences in partnership with local agencies and organizations, community service entities, and universities and schools.  All students complete both a Practicum and an Internship requiring supervised field placement. 

Courses are offered on campus, through distance education, and in hybrid formats that combine campus and online learning.  Students may complete a thesis if they desire to engage in original research.  Several electives are offered both within the program and in other related NCCU graduate programs.

Return to: School of Education Graduate Division