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 or better, on a 4.00 point scale, from the most recent degree earned or current degree in progress. 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, or 291 total on the new scoring scale, and a minimum of 3.5 on the Analytical Writing subtest. 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 master's degree prepares professional counselors for licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). Graduates work in a variety of settings, including community mental health centers, hospitals, private practice, addictions, residential treatment, etc.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A.
Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling/Therapy M.A.
The master's degree in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling/Therapy is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). The degree prepares professionals for specialized work with couples and families and is focused on training in relationship, interpersonal interaction, and systems theory.
For degree and program requirements, see:
Marriage, Couples and Family Counseling/Therapy M.A.
School Counseling M.A.
The master's degree in School Counseling prepares students for Colorado licensure as a School Counselor. Students are training to meet the needs of students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
For degree and program requirements, see:
School Counseling M.A.