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 highly competent, autonomous, critical-thinking candidates to work in PK-12 schools and various community settings and to serve the underrepresented and marginalized populations.

The School of Education will, consistent with the mission, vision, and core values of Clark Atlanta University, continue to drive and evaluate the discourse in seeking answers to societal problems and challenges endemic in local, national, and global scholastic environments.

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 program. Most applicants have a 3.0+ GPA.

Applicants must attend a group interview. Applicants with complete application packages received from the Office of Graduate Education/Admissions will receive group interview details via email.

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.

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