The Department of Counseling aims to improve mental health and well-being of individuals across the region and beyond through innovative, interdisciplinary, and effective research, service, and teaching that prepares culturally-responsive clinical mental health counselors and professional school counselors.

Upon completion of the Counseling Program, students will show evidence of being reflective practitioners and critical thinkers who seek to respect diverse worldviews, demonstrate self-evaluation and self-reflection strategies, and engage in ongoing interpersonal skill development. Students will develop professional identities as counselors. Furthermore, each student will develop knowledge and demonstrate competency in the areas of:

1. Human growth and development, including an understanding of biopsychosocial models of development;

2. Personal characteristics, professional orientation, and ethical practices of counselors consistent with the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and state and federal laws that govern the practice of counselors;

3. Theoretical approaches to counseling and case conceptualization, including articulation of a personal theory of counseling and an integrative approach to wellness and prevention as a professional counselor;

4. Helping relationships, counseling skills and techniques;

5. Group dynamics, process, and counseling, including process-oriented groups and psychoeducational groups;

6. Career development and practice that is appropriate to the student’s employment setting;

7. Multicultural and social justice issues in counseling, including an approach to advocacy for the profession and diverse client populations;

8. Appraisal and assessment, including application of developmental theory;

9. Crisis intervention, including skills necessary to communicate and collaborate with, or refer to, multidisciplinary teams in professionals in schools, agencies, and other appropriate settings;

10. Issues in addictions and substance abuse;

11. Research and program evaluation methods, including use of research and evaluation methods necessary to identify and critique evidence-based practices and to use data to improve program outcomes; and

12. Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Professional School Counseling specific roles, skills, duties, and issues (depending on students’ selected programs of study).