Program Overview

Mission and Objectives

The mission of the Department of Counselor Education 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.

Based on the mission of the department, the following goals were developed:

  • 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.

The objectives of the department are accessed through the following experiences:

  • Ethically informed professional identity
  • Awareness of personal strengths and resiliency
  • Appreciation of diverse cultures
  • Critical thinking and creative expression
  • Efficacious commitment to professional and community service

Campus Locations

DeLand: 421 N. Woodland Blvd. DeLand, FL 32723

Valencia: 1800 Denn John Lane Kissimmee, FL 34744

CACREP Core Curricula

The following list identifies the eight CACREP "core curricula" areas and the courses in the department that serve to fulfill those respective standards:

  1. Professional Identity
  2. Social and Cultural Diversity
  3. Human Growth and Development
  4. Career Development
  5. Helping Relationships
  6. Group Dynamics
  7. Assessment
  8. Research and Program Evaluation

Programs

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

This program is designed to train therapists for positions as mental health counselors in community, state, federal and private social service agencies and for employee assistance program positions in business and industry. Graduates are prepared to provide such services as child, youth, couple, family, employment, health, multicultural, gerontological, substance abuse and/or well-new counseling. Students who complete the program are eligible to take the examination of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and to become members of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA). After completing two years of postgraduate supervised experience, students may be eligible for clinical membership in the NBCC's Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors and for licensure in Florida as mental health counselors.

Master of Science in Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling

This program prepares students for careers as counselors in marriage, couple and family counseling in public and private social service agencies, hospitals, churches, businesses and independent practice settings. Students who complete the program are eligible to take the examination of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) and to become members of the International Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (I.A.M.F.C.). After completing two years of post-graduate supervised professional experience, students may be eligible for clinical membership in the American Association for Marriage Family Therapy (AAMFT) and for licensure in Florida as marriage and family therapists.

Master of Science in Counselor Education with Advanced Studies

The M.S. 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.

Program Completion Outcomes

  • Spring 2023
    • Clinical Mental Health Counseling: 5
    • Counselor Education with Advanced Studies: 4
  • Fall 2022
    • Marriage Couple and Family Counseling: 2
    • Clinical Mental Health Counseling: 13
    • Counselor Education with Advanced Studies: 8
  • Summer 2022
    • Dual: 1