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Counselor Education Overview

Our Mission

The Department of Counselor Education at Stetson University is dedicated to preparing future counselors who serve with professionalism, integrity, and distinction. Rooted in a commitment to academic rigor and real-world impact, our mission is to educate counseling students, including those from diverse academic, geographic, religious/spiritual, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, preparing them to accept and demonstrate their professional counseling responsibilities with distinction. Students learn to behave ethically, become aware of their personal strengths and resiliency, as well as their professional counseling responsibilities in an effort to apply these skills and self-knowledge to a culturally diverse clientele.

Our Goals

Guided by our mission, our department pursues the following goals:

  • To provide students with the most comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge and skills in the field of counseling.
  • To prepare students by exposing them to practical experiences in counseling settings.
  • To expose students to a variety of different developmental, ethnic, and cultural groups and to prepare them to work with culturally diverse populations.
  • To develop an awareness of ethical, legal and spiritual factors in counseling.
  • To provide opportunities which impress students with the needs for continuing personal and professional growth.

Program Objectives

Through coursework, mentorship, and clinical training, students will:

  • Develop a strong professional identity grounded in ethics.
  • Recognize and build upon their personal strengths and resilience.
  • Value cultural differences and practice with cultural responsiveness and sustainability.
  • Strengthen critical thinking and creative problem-solving.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to service and leadership within the profession and community.

Our Programs

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)

Preparing students for careers in community agencies, healthcare organizations, schools, government, business, and private practice. Graduates are equipped to work with diverse populations and issues, including children, youth, families, substance use, multicultural concerns, and wellness. Program completion may lead to Florida licensure as a mental health counselor.

Master of Science in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (MCFC)

Preparing students to work in social service agencies, hospitals, schools, faith-based organizations, businesses, and private practice. Graduates may qualify for licensure in Florida as marriage and family therapists.

Our CMHC and MCFC programs meet the rigorous standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Both programs address eight foundational curricular areas relevant to a professional counselor identity: 

  1. Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
  2. Social and Cultural Identities and Experiences
  3. Lifespan Development
  4. Career Development
  5. Counseling Practice and Relationships
  6. Group Counseling and Group Work
  7. Assessment and Diagnostic Processes
  8. Research and Program Evaluation

Advanced Studies Options

The MS in Counselor Education with Advanced Studies is designed to prepare students for careers as clinical mental health counselors or marriage, couple and family counselors working in a variety of community, public, and private settings focused on mental health and wellness. In addition, students gain advanced study in topics such as play therapy and spirituality in counseling. Upon completion of the degree, students are eligible to apply as a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern or Registered Marriage and family Therapist Intern leading to state licensure in the respective specialty.

Our Program Completion Outcomes

  • Summer 2025 
    • Marriage Couple and Family Counseling: 1
    • Clinical Mental Health Counseling: 10
    • Counselor Education with Advanced Studies: 7
  • Spring 2025
    • Marriage Couple and Family Counseling: 2
    • Clinical Mental Health Counseling: 4
    • Counselor Education with Advanced Studies: 0
  • Fall 2024
    • Marriage Couple and Family Counseling: 1
    • Clinical Mental Health Counseling: 13
    • Counselor Education with Advanced Studies: 5