Counseling Graduate Program

The Department of Psychology offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts degree in Counseling.  Graduates of the program are eligible to work as counselors in school settings, and a variety of community settings.  The Community Counseling and School Counseling tracks are both accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).  In response to the requirements in the 2009 CACREP standards, no new students are currently being admitted to the Community Counseling track, which is being replaced by the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is currently accredited under the 2001 Standards for Community Counseling Programs as a Community Counseling program.  The 2009 Standards combine the Standards for Community Counseling Programs and Standards for Mental Health Counseling Programs into Standards for Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs.  The counseling program applied for reaccreditation under the 2009 Standards in December 2009. The program is also designed as a pre-doctoral program in counselor education or counseling psychology.  Students have an option of completing a thesis if they are interested. 

The program qualifies students to sit for examinations for the State of Illinois School Service Personnel Certificate (Type 73) with an endorsement in Guidance and the National Counselor Examination (NCE®) administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC®).  Students are also eligible to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) through the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.

Find out more information about:

• Mission Statement / Successful Program Matriculation
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• School Counseling
• Endorsement in School Counseling Graduate Certificate Program (Type 73)
• Bilingual Specialization

Related Links

• Admissions Requirements
• Program Forms
  • Prospective Students
  • Current Students
• Program Brochures
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Course Descriptions
• Assessment and Learning Outcomes