Counselor Education
Offering Master of Arts (M.A.) and Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) degrees
As of Spring 2010: The Community Counseling Master's Degree Program has been renamed the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master's Degree Program.
The Counselor Education Department currently offers the master of arts degree and the certificate of advanced study degree in clinical mental health counseling and school counseling. The Department offers:
- A 60-hour Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling*
- A 48-hour Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in School Counseling
- A Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- A Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S) degree in School Counseling
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.A. degree program prepares candidates to work in a variety of human service settings, including:
- Mental health counseling centers
- Career centers
- Substance abuse centers
- Crisis counseling centers
- Other clinical mental health agencies offering counseling services
The School Counseling M.A. degree program prepares candidates to work as counselors in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. In addition to individual and group counseling, school counselors provide:
- Classroom guidance
- Teacher/parent consultation
- Peer facilitated programs
Candidates are endorsed for certification and/or job placement only in their area of concentration.
At Fairfield, counseling courses are offered under the guidance of faculty members who are nationally recognized in the field through their publications and active service in national professional organizations. The programs are designed to develop knowledge and skill in nine areas:
- Human growth and development
- The helping relationship
- Lifestyle and career development
- Research and evaluation
- Social and cultural foundations
- Group counseling
- Individual appraisal
- Professional orientation
- Clinical skills
The M.A. programs are nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a coveted credential. You'll benefit from Fairfield's excellent opportunities for internships, research, and postgraduate employment.
* Note: The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is currently accredited under the 2001 standards for Community Counseling programs as a Community Counseling Program. The CACREP 2009 standards combine the Community Counseling and Mental Health Counseling standards into standards for Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs. The counseling program intends to seek accreditation for this program as a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program when it comes up for reaccreditation in March or 2017 as per CACREP guidelines.
We invite you to learn more about the Counselor Education Department and its admission requirements, courses, and faculty. Have more questions? Read our FAQs or contact us. We hope you'll find the program challenges you intellectually and enriches your life.
Related Information
Graduate Admission | Info Sessions | Program Sheet (PDF)
