Clement Hall, Room 323
Telephone: (404) 880-8508

Overview

The Counselor Education Degree Programs ensure that counseling students possess the personal characteristics necessary to be effective helpers. Counselors must have a critical body of knowledge and set of skills to help clients function effectively in their lives. This is accomplished through a multifaceted admissions process, the use of experiential learning approaches, and through an ongoing process of screening candidates’ personal and professional dispositions.

To promote a more just society through counseling, the faculty prepares candidates who are knowledgeable, critical thinkers, and ethical change agents. Candidates receive skill preparation for direct service to clients; diagnostic, consultative, and evaluative services; and preventive interventions. To achieve this goal, the program offers a curriculum that includes the core components of human growth and development; counseling diverse populations; the nature of helping relationships skills; group counseling; career counseling; appraisal, research, and program evaluation; as well as professional, ethical, and legal issues. Moreover, the program includes course work specific to the various areas of specialization (i.e., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and School Counseling). A variety of field practica and internship experiences are required to ensure that candidates can apply appropriate skills and knowledge. This preparation takes place in a pluralistic teaching and learning environment that incorporates highly effective educational practices, including didactic courses, practica and internships, research, and community service. A 700-hour clinical field placement is required.

The candidates in this program exhibit the highest degree of professionalism in facilitating the personal growth and development of clients at the individual, institutional, and systemic levels. Professional counselors serve at all levels of schools and universities, hospitals, mental health agencies, rehabilitation facilities, business and industry, correctional institutions, religious organizations, community centers and private practice. Telemental Health is presented in all field courses. This program also prepares candidates for advanced graduate work at other institutions.

Both Counselor Education Programs are accredited and aligned with the guidelines of the national accrediting body, the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and meet the academic requirements for Georgia licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The School Counseling Program at CAU is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) as a program leading to School Counselor Certification.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Counselor Education is to prepare candidates to assume roles of leadership and service in society as Licensed Professional Counselors and/or certified School Counselors based on Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists, the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) Standards, and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) and The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

The vision of the Department of Counselor Education is to prepare a diverse pool of students who are knowledgeable, critical thinkers, and ethical change agents, who promote a more just society. Graduates are prepared to counsel and foster change through counseling in collaboration with schools and community stakeholders.

Counselor Education Program Objectives

1. Introduce theory and concepts to diverse, human behavior, human service systems, and problems in human behavior at all developmental levels.
2. Prepare candidates for licensure as a Professional Counselor in Georgia and to qualify to take the National Counselor Examination.
3. Prepare candidates for advanced studies and/or professional counseling careers in a variety of community/school settings.
4. Train candidates to integrate individual and group counseling methods and practices.

Counselor Education Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling must meet the General Admissions Requirements of the University as published in this Catalog. A GPA of 2.6 or higher is required for admission into the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling programs. Most applicants have a 3.0+ GPA.

Applicants must attend a group interview. Group interview information is emailed to applicants with completed application packages that are received from the Office of Graduate Education/Admissions.

Counselor Education Endorsements

The Department of Counselor Education endorses the licensure requirements of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists.

The Department of Counselor Education endorses the certification requirements of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for School Counselors.