Counseling Programs offered at Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University’s Department of Counselor Education leads the vanguard of counseling education. The department prepares students to become professional counselors and leaders in local, national, and international settings. FAU believes education goes beyond the classroom. Students and faculty cooperate with schools, communities, agencies, and professionals to conduct research and provide services while upholding high ethical and professional standards.

The department features award-winning faculty members who are leaders in their fields. These educators bring strong research backgrounds, excellent teaching scores, and remarkable service records to both the university and national counseling profession. They do more than teach – they create new knowledge through research, build dynamic learning spaces, and help students reach their full potential.

FAU’s Counseling And Psychological Services center has a clear purpose: to give students mental health support that helps them thrive. Students can maintain good mental health and achieve their educational, personal, emotional, and psychological goals. This student-focused approach shows the university’s dedication to creating a supportive learning environment.

Located in South Florida, the Department of Counselor Education provides flexible and affordable degree options. The programs meet and exceed state and national certification, licensing, and accreditation requirements in counseling. This is vital for students who want recognized credentials in the field.

The department’s counseling honors society, Chi Sigma Iota Beta Rho Chi Chapter, has earned several prestigious awards. These include the CSI 2020 and 2021 Outstanding Chapter Award for large chapters, the CSI Florida Outstanding Chapter Award, and recognition for their ‘Counseling Times’ newsletter. These achievements highlight the program’s excellence.

Strategic and shared community engagement spreads through the university’s culture, benefiting both FAU and the communities it serves. This approach shapes the counseling programs and ensures graduates can make real differences in their careers.

Students looking for complete counseling education can find full programs at the Boca Raton Campus. Select school counseling courses are also available at the MacArthur Campus in Palm Beach County. This makes FAU’s exceptional counseling education resources accessible to students from different areas.

What counseling programs does Florida Atlantic University offer?

FAU’s Department of Counselor Education offers several CACREP-accredited degree paths that help you become a counseling professional. Each program aligns with specific career paths and licensing requirements.

Students can choose from three specialized M.Ed. programs at FAU, which are accredited by CACREP until March 31, 2032. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program teaches students to assess, diagnose, and treat clients who face mental disorders and life challenges. Students need 60 credits to complete this program, which meets all academic requirements to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida. Graduates find work in mental health centers, psychiatric hospitals, university counseling centers, and private practices.

The Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program shapes professionals who work with people with disabilities in both public and private sectors. Students learn through an interdisciplinary approach that meets requirements for both Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credentials and LMHC qualifications in Florida. Key courses cover Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling, Occupational Information and Job Placement, and Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability.

The School Counseling program helps graduates create complete, research-based counseling programs in K-12 schools. This 60-credit journey focuses on individual counseling, group counseling, classroom guidance, and working with teachers and parents. Students who don’t have a Professional Teaching Certificate must take additional Professional Preparation courses required by Florida’s Department of Education.

FAU also offers an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree that builds on your master’s in counseling or related field. You can use this program to gain expertise in your current role or get credentials in a different counseling specialty. Each program is custom-designed and needs a minimum of 72 graduate credits.

The Ph.D. in Counseling program at FAU is a 60-hour post-master’s, CACREP-accredited program. This program focuses on research and leadership through student-faculty research groups rather than clinical skills. Graduates become university professors, researchers, clinical supervisors, and program directors.

You’ll need a minimum GPA of 3.0 from your last two years of study and GRE General Test scores to apply. The program’s success shows in its graduates who find positions in their field before or right after finishing.

Internships/Practicum at FAU

Field experience is the life-blood of counseling education at FAU. Students in all degree paths take part in well-laid-out internships and practicum opportunities. These supervised experiences help students turn their theoretical knowledge into professional skills.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling students must complete 750 hours of field experience. This time splits between practicum (MHS 6800) and internship (MHS 6830). Students work at mental health agencies where they provide individual counseling, family counseling, and lead groups. They can focus on their areas of interest during these placements. The internship runs over two semesters at 3 credits each, requiring 300 clock hours per semester.

School Counseling students need 150 practicum hours and 600 internship hours at school sites. They must spend at least 40% of their time on direct services such as individual counseling, small group counseling, classroom guidance, and parent/teacher consultation. Students should note the field experience application deadlines: September 15th for spring semester and January 31st for fall semester placements.

CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) serves as an advanced practicum site that welcomes master-level interns and doctoral practicum students. The extern training program accepts students from different fields, including Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Social Work programs. CAPS works closely with FAU’s Counselor Education program, Social Work program, and Nova Southeastern University’s doctoral program in clinical psychology.

Doctoral students can apply for CAPS’s APA-accredited internship in Health Service Psychology. This full-time position runs for 12 months at 40-42 hours weekly. Students complete at least 2,000 supervised hours, with 500 hours of direct service. Doctoral interns receive a $41,200 annual stipend and benefits. These include medical insurance, 80 hours each of paid personal time and sick leave, plus professional development opportunities.

The practicum and internship experiences are designed to promote professional growth through supervision, direct client contact, and practical application of theory.

What sets Florida Atlantic University apart?

FAU’s counseling program is well-known among institutions thanks to its prestigious CACREP accreditation, valid until March 31, 2032. Graduates enjoy significant advantages over other regional programs. The CACREP-accredited status makes licensure registration easier in Florida, offers credential portability outside the state, and serves as a requirement for Veterans Administration facilities employment.

The program’s class sizes remain remarkably small—under 20 students attend lecture courses while practicum and internship courses host between 6-12 students. This tailored approach to education has led to outstanding productivity metrics. The faculty’s output reaches 7.5 FTE per instructional person-year, far exceeding the university’s 2.6 average.

The program’s counseling honors society has earned several prestigious accolades, including the CSI 2020 and 2021 Outstanding Chapter Award for large chapters. The department’s award-winning ‘Counseling Times’ newsletter continues to receive national recognition.

A talented team of 14 faculty members (10 full-time, 4 part-time) brings expertise in brief therapy, psychological type, marriage/family counseling, and international programs. Their steadfast dedication shows in how they train future psychologists through the university’s internship program.

These distinctive qualities help graduates excel in counseling settings of all types.

Next steps

Florida Atlantic University stands out as a top choice for future counseling professionals. The Department of Counselor Education gives students hands-on training that goes way beyond the reach and influence of theory. Students can choose from several CACREP-accredited programs tailored to different career paths: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, School Counseling, Educational Specialist degrees, and a Ph.D. program focused on research and leadership.

FAU’s edge over other universities comes from several key features. The prestigious CACREP accreditation will give a boost to your career mobility and job prospects, particularly at Veterans Administration facilities. The small class sizes help create a more personal learning experience. Award-winning faculty members bring their expertise and research interests to the classroom. Students can turn theory into practice through structured internships and supervised field experiences.

FAU’s excellence shows through its award-winning Chi Sigma Iota Beta Rho Chi Chapter and the nationally recognized ‘Counseling Times’ newsletter. The university’s strong ties with local communities, schools, and agencies create valuable networking opportunities during your studies.

Your career goals might point toward clinical practice, rehabilitation counseling, school guidance, or academic leadership. FAU provides the educational foundation, practical experiences, and professional connections you need to succeed. The department’s location in sunny South Florida, along with flexible program options and outstanding faculty support, creates the perfect setting to become a skilled, ethical, and effective counseling professional ready to make an impact in various settings.