Program Overview

Program Overview

The Department of Counselor Education offers programs leading to Master of Arts degrees in Clinical Mental Health  Counseling and School Counseling. The Counseling Programs further Clark Atlanta’s mission by preparing students to assume roles of leadership and service in society as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Certified School Counselors . The curricula of the department are designed to prepare candidates who are knowledgeable, critical thinkers, and competent, ethical change agents. This preparation takes place in a pluralistic teaching and learning environment that incorporates all educational means, including didactic courses, practicum and internships, on-line courses, research, and community service. The counseling programs are designed to meet the standards of the Licensed Professional Counselors and School Counselors based on Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists, the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Standards, and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC), and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Mission

The mission of the Department of Counselor Education is to prepare candidates to assume roles of leadership and service in society as Licensed Professional Counselors and/or certified School Counselors based on Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists, the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Standards, and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Vision

The vision of the Department of Counselor Education is to prepare a diverse pool of candidates who are knowledgeable, critical thinkers, and ethical change agents, who promote a more just society. Graduates are prepared to counsel and foster change through counseling in collaboration with schools and community stakeholders 

Programs in Counselor Education

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires a minimum of 60 hours. This program is designed to prepare students for professional counseling positions in a variety of community settings, including mental health agencies, hospitals, juvenile justice agencies, and substance abuse treatment facilities. Graduates of this program are prepared to provide individual and group counseling, clinical counseling, education and lifestyle development, and career planning, all in diverse settings. The curriculum meets standards set forth by the Council of Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)- and qualifies graduates to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE).

Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling

The Master of Arts degree in School Counseling is a minimum of 60 hours. This program is designed to prepare professional counselors to work in public and private schools.   Graduates of this program are prepared to develop, implement and evaluate the academic needs of children and adolescents in diverse settings and provide individual and group counseling. At the completion of the program, graduates will have satisfied the academic requirements for the State of Georgia certification. The curriculum meets standards set forth by the Council of Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educationals Programs (CACREP), Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC), and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to Clark Atlanta University must submit an application for admission to the University. Completing the application form online will activate your admissions file. Before any action can be taken on an application, applicants must submit the following to the Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions:

1. Completed and signed application.
2. Cashier’s check or money order (made payable to Clark Atlanta University) in the amount of $40. The application fee for an international applicant is $55 U.S. dollars. The application fee will not be waived and is nonrefundable.
3. An official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution you have attended. Transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions from the institution’s Office of the Registrar. A transcript which has been “issued to the student” will not be accepted.
4. An official GRE Report of Scores or GMAT Report (if applicable) from the Educational Testing Service Test requirements will not be deferred or waived. Test scores more than five years old are not acceptable.
5. Three recommendation letters: two from former instructors and one from an employer or supervisor. If the applicant has not attended school for two years then all three recommendations may come from an employer or supervisor. The letters of recommendation can be submitted by email to graduateadmissions@cau.edu 
6. Resume, which can be submitted by email to graduateadmissions@cau.edu.
7. A Dean of Students Certification form from the last institution you have attended (this form is only required if you attended an institution within the last two years). The Dean of Students or the administrative officer in charge of disciplinary records must complete this form and mail it directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

School of Education Only: 

1. Applicants must take and pass the Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators (GACE) Program Admission Assessments (PAA) prior to being fully admitted in the School Counseling program. Otherwise, applicants will be subject to conditional admittance in the School Counseling program and required to take and pass the PAA by the end of the first semester of matriculation. In this case, failure to pass the PAA will result in withdrawal from the School Counseling program with an option of a program change to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. These state requirements are subject to change. Go to gapsc.com for updated information.
2. A letter of intent which discusses career goals, reasons for applying to Clark Atlanta University, and qualifications for admission. Contact the program office of your intended area of study for additional details. The letter of intent should be submitted by email to graduateadmissions@cau.edu.
3. Readmission: A Clark Atlanta University student who has not been enrolled for one semester (not including the summer) is required to apply for readmission. Applications must be submitted at least thirty (30) days before the first day of registration of the term for which readmission is sought. A former student who has attended another college or university during his or her absence from Clark Atlanta University must have an official transcript from each institution’s Office of the Registrar mailed to Clark Atlanta University, Office of Graduate Admissions.

Click to Go to Admissions.

Degree Requirements

1. Minimum of 60 semester credit hours, plus 100 clock hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship experiences in a school or clinical setting;
2. Grade of B or better in all courses;
3. Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0;
4. Satisfactory completion of the Communication Skills may be required; and
5. Satisfactory completion of the Comprehensive Examination.
6. Take and pass the GACE Program Admission Assessments and the GACE Content exam

Credit Hour Requirements

Clinical Mental Health  Counseling M.A. Degree: Completion of a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours of course work.

School Counseling M.A. Degree: Completion of a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours of course work.