Master of Science

Counselor Education

Specialization in Clinical Professional Counseling

Central to Making an Impact.

CCSU’s Clinical Professional Counseling program prepares students to enter the professional counseling field as multiculturally competent practitioners who utilize systemic clinical counseling and ethical practices in alignment with the eight common core professional counseling standards of The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the nine content areas established by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).

Within these settings, clinicians will assist individuals experiencing emotional, mental, social, and physical challenges and disabilities. Students are taught theories and techniques of practice in individual, group, and family counseling modalities, as well as those that promote recovery, resiliency, and rehabilitation. A mindfulness-informed theoretical orientation is also integrated within the program’s coursework.

The curriculum is designed to qualify clinical professional counseling students with conferred degrees for entry-level work in a variety of mental health, rehabilitation, and addiction treatment agencies. 

Program Features

  • Matriculated students begin coursework each fall semester 
  • 60- to 63-credit program 
  • Attend full- or part-time 
  • Courses offered in evening hours for working adults 
  • Clinical counseling field experiences 
  • Access to state-of-the-art clinical counseling laboratory 
  • Financial aid is available 
  • No GMAT/GRE required 

Program Options

Clinical Mental Health

Understand the clinical principles of assessment, DSM diagnostics, biopsychosocial case conceptualization, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed counseling.

Clinical Rehabilitation

Understand environmental, attitudinal, and individual barriers for people with disabilities. Demonstrate knowledge of strategies to advocate for persons with disabilities.

Addiction Recovery

Learn the etiological models of addiction, classification of drugs, and diagnostic categories of substance use disorders. Psychotherapeutic treatment approaches such as screening and assessment, motivational interviewing, psychopharmacology, and recovery and relapse prevention principles are discussed. A review of professional issues, family systems, and cross-cultural considerations will be included.  

Gerontology Counseling

Focus on the mental, emotional, and physical problems faced by aging individuals including issues that might occur as a person begins nearing the end of their life. Gain the tools to meet the needs of an aging population. 

- Alumni, MS

One of the great benefits of the Clinical Mental Health program is that I can see my progression through many lenses: Maslow, Glasser, Jung, Adler at the top of my list along with the tools from DBT, CBT, Mindfulness, IFS, typology, systems theory, and TA. Thank you again for all you have done, what you bring to the classroom, administration, and profession.

- Alumni, MS

Did You Know?

  • 100% employment rate within 6 months of graduation 
  • 100% pass rate for the National Counselor Examination 
  • 95% first-time pass rate for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination 

What You'll Gain

  • Ability to assist individuals experiencing emotional, mental, social, and physical changes and disabilities  
  • Skills to practice in clinical mental health, clinical rehabilitation, and addictions counseling settings  
  • Mindfulness-informed theoretical approach that enhances effectiveness in promoting development and change  
  • Knowledge of current ethical and legal codes  
  • Commitment to mental, emotional, social, and physiological wellness  
  • Communication and advocacy skills  
  • Understanding of the diagnostic process including differential diagnosis and use of current diagnostic classification systems  
  • Ability to facilitate intake interviews, mental status evaluations, biopsychosocial histories, mental health histories, and psychological assessments for treatment planning and caseload management  
  • Recognition of the special problems and concerns facing people with a wide range of mental and physical challenges and disabilities, as well as other socially stigmatizing conditions 

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