Professional Counseling
The Counseling faculty views potential candidates as unique, with strengths and assets to be identified, encouraged and developed during their graduate education. The knowledge and human relations skills necessary to help individuals recognize their own and other persons' unique promise and discover opportunities for its expression form the core of professional preparation for students in professional counseling. Such knowledge and skills are learned in part from research and study in the behavioral and social sciences, various skill development activities and supervised practica. Supervised training is provided through the Psychological Services Clinic to the University and the local community. Opportunities for a broad understanding of human behavior and human relationships are included in the education of the student in Counseling.
The Counseling faculty is committed to the development of broadly based competent professional counselors skilled in helping people with personal, interpersonal and career concerns in community agencies or in schools. The requirements of the program are conceptualized within the framework and standards set forth by accreditation standards, the counseling profession, Colorado state law, Graduate School and job requirements. The Professional Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Admission . The prospective student must apply for admission to and be accepted by the program area faculty. Admission to the program requires a GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 hours of course work. If the applicant's GPA is below 3.0, the Graduate Record Exam (General Test) score must be submitted. It is recommended that the applicant have a total score that meets or exceeds 1000 on the Verbal and Quantitative subtests, with no score below 400. The Analytical Writing subtest should have a minimum score of 3.5. Two years of post bachelor's degree work experience is recommended for applicants under 25 years of age. Attendance at a pre-admission workshop is required for this admission process to be completed. When attendance at the preadmission workshop is an extreme hardship for the applicant, special arrangements are made.
Acceptance is based on consideration of the following criteria:
- Clarity of career goals.
- Intellectual qualities.
- Professional judgment of appropriate personality characteristics as evidenced by a structured interview, interpersonal communication style and personal references.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the master's level prepares professional counselors to work in various agency settings such as mental health centers, probation and parole departments, substance abuse centers and residential treatment centers.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A. — Clinical Counseling Emphasis
Couples and Family Therapy Emphasis
The requirements of the emphasis are directed toward the development of competent professionals in the practice of marital and family counseling. The emphasis area deals primarily with relationships, interpersonal interaction and systems theory.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A. — Couples and Family Therapy Emphasis
School Counseling M.A.
The School Counseling program is designed at the master's level to develop a professional who counsels with children and adults in elementary, middle and high schools.
For degree and program requirements, see:
School Counseling M.A.