Welcome to the Department of Counseling!

The Mission of the Department of Counseling is to improve the 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.

We are a hybrid program that meets at least 50% in person and the rest online.  We have a part-time/full-time program in Pembroke and a cohort-based program in Wilmington. Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals to accomplish their goals.  Housed in the School of Education, we provide the training required for students to become Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associates or Professional School Counselors in the state of North Carolina.  While earning a Master of Arts in Education, students in the UNCP Department of Counseling complete 60 credit hours, 700 hours of field placement, and a comprehensive exam in preparation for final licensure exams.  Our program is hybrid, which means our classes meet at least 50% in person, and the rest of the time we meet online. We are proud to offer a master’s degree that meets the educational requirements for graduates to independently address mental health in our community.