Counselor Education with Specialization in Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling M.S. And Advanced Certificate
Program Rationale:
The Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling programs prepare students to pursue employment in a variety of rehabilitation and mental health agencies. Students may decide to specialize in either Rehabilitation Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling with a drug and alcohol recovery focus, or Mental Health Counseling. The Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling programs provide the foundational coursework necessary for individuals interested in meeting State of Connecticut Department of Public Health requirements for becoming Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and/or national certification as Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC). The curriculum is also approved by the Connecticut Certification Board for students pursuing credentials as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC). There are additional post-master’s training requirements for both LPC and LADC candidates. The Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling program is a candidate for accreditation by the Commission on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).
Program Learning Outcomes:
Students in the program will be expected to:
• exhibit behaviors and attitudes appropriate to the professional and rehabilitation counseling profession;
• demonstrate pertinent and professionally relevant knowledge in the 10 CORE and 9 NBCC curriculum content areas;
• demonstrate professional behaviors and practice in professional and rehabilitation counseling settings;
• demonstrate knowledge of current ethical and legal guidelines that influence one’s behavior as a counselor; and
• demonstrate core skills that provide the foundations to understand the professional and rehabilitation counseling process and become more aware of one’s interpersonal interactions.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR M.S. PROFESSIONAL AND REHABILITATION COUNSELING
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
Admissions to the School Counseling, Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling, and Student Development in Higher Education programs are made on a competitive basis only one time per year. All applications must be completed and received by April 1 for fall admission of the following academic year. Candidates for admission will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:
1. Grade point average: Minimum 2.70 grade point average (GPA) for all undergraduate courses and a 3.00 for all graduate courses, based on a 4.00 point scale where A is 4.00.
2. Three recommendations from individuals able to testify to the student’s suitability as a prospective counselor.
3. A 2–3 page typewritten (double spaced) essay describing the following:
a. Reasons for entering the counseling profession.
b. Personal and professional experiences that influenced you to pursue the counseling profession.
c. Personal characteristics you believe will contribute to your success as a counselor.
4. A personal interview by the program’s faculty admissions committee. The committee will assess the student’s personal attributes and life experiences that might contribute to the student’s potential for success as a professional counselor.
The admissions application, application fee, and official transcripts from each college/university (except CCSU) where any course has been taken must be sent directly to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office.
Recommendations and the essay must be sent directly to the Counseling and Family Therapy Department. (Contact: 860-832-2154)
Course and Capstone Requirements (48–57 credits):
Core (42 credits):
CNSL 500 The Dynamics of Group Behavior 3
CNSL 501 Theories and Techniques in Counseling 6
CNSL 503 Supervised Counseling Practicum 3
CNSL 504 Professional Studies in Counseling 3
CNSL 505 Counseling and Human Development Across the Lifespan 3
CNSL 507 Methods in Group Facilitation 3
CNSL 521 Career Counseling and Development 3
CNSL 522 Appraisal Procedures in Counseling 3
CNSL 560 Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling 3
CNSL 561 Advanced Rehabilitation Counseling 3
CNSL 563 Medical Aspects of Rehabilitation Counseling 3
CNSL 568 Alcohol and Drug Counseling 3
CNSL 571 Mental Health Counseling 3
CNSL 598 Research in Counseling 3
Specialization Courses (6 credits):
Students in the Mental Health Counseling track are required to take two additional specialization courses as follows:
MFT 541 Introduction to Theories of Family Systems 3
MFT 556 Systemic Perspectives on Mental Disorders 3
Internship (6 credits):
CNSL 594 Supervised Clinical Practice — Professional Counseling (two semesters) 6
Capstone (0–3 credits):
Plan A: CNSL 599 Thesis 3
or
Plan B: Comprehensive Exam (consists of a major case presentation done in conjunction with the student’s internship experience)
Note: Students in the drug and alcohol recovery program must complete PSY 454 prior to beginning the supervised counseling practicum (CNSL 503).
COUNSELING: ADVANCED OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING
The Advanced Official Certificate Program in Professional Counseling is designed for practicing counselors who already hold a master’s degree in counseling or psychology and are preparing for state licensure or advanced practice as a Professional Counselor. A certificate in advanced graduate work in Professional Counseling is issued upon completion of a combination of 7-18 credits of selected 500-level courses, with a grade of B or better, designated for the certificate program. Candidates for the OCP who are interested in licensure are responsible for working with the Connecticut Department of Public Health regarding specific required coursework for their Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) eligibility.
Application Deadlines for the Advanced Official Certificate Program in Professional Counseling are April 1 for Fall Admission and November 1 for Spring Admission.
Admission criteria for the Advanced Official Certificate Program in Professional Counseling:
• Master’s degree in counseling or psychology with an overall GPA of 3.00 or higher.
• Three current professional recommendations
• Written essay - description of your motivation for advanced graduate study, past experience and future professional goals
• Interview with program faculty
Completion of the application process involves two steps.
• The admissions application, application fee, and official transcripts from each college/university (except CCSU) where any course has been taken must be sent directly to the Graduate Recruitment and Admissions Office.
• Recommendations and the essay must be sent directly to the Counseling and Family Therapy Department. (Contact: 860-832-2154)
All students will be required to take the Orientation to Professional Counseling, a 1 credit course.
