Program Rationale:

The Clinical Professional Counseling specialization prepares students to pursue employment in a variety of mental health and rehabilitation agencies. Students may choose a track in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, or Clinical Addictions Recovery Counseling.  The Clinical Professional Counseling specialization provides the foundational coursework necessary for individuals interested in certification as Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC) and/or meeting State of Connecticut Department of Public Health requirements for becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC).  There are additional post-master's training requirements for both LPC and LADC candidates.  The Clinical Professional Counseling specialization is accredited by the Commission of Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

Program Learning Outcomes:

Students in the program will be expected to:

• Exhibit behaviors and attitudes appropriate to the clinical professional counseling profession;
• Demonstrate pertinent and professionally relevant knowledge in the 10 CORE areas 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 Clinical Professional Counseling

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Admissions to the School Counseling, Clinical Professional 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 February 1 for fall admission. Candidates for admission will be considered 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.

Instructions for uploading the essay and for obtaining and submitting the recommendation letters will be found within the graduate online application.

Contact: 860-832-2154

Course and Capstone Requirements

Total Credit Hours: 60-63

Note: It is expected that prior to beginning the supervised counseling practicum (CNSL 503) all Clinical Professional Counseling students will complete a graduate level course in Life Span Development.