Counseling Programs offered at Stetson University
Stetson University’s Department of Counselor Education shines as a guiding light for aspiring counseling professionals who aim to make a real difference. This department builds counselors who embody professionalism and integrity in their practice. Students from different academic paths, locations, religions, ethnicities, and cultures create a vibrant learning space that mirrors the diverse clients they will help in the future.
The heart of Stetson’s counseling education beats with steadfast dedication to ethical behavior and self-awareness. Students grow their personal strengths and resilience while they master professional counseling skills for culturally diverse populations. The department works toward several vital goals. These include providing complete knowledge and skills, real-world experiences, and exposure to various developmental and cultural groups. It also promotes awareness of ethical considerations and ongoing personal and professional growth.
Students in Stetson’s counseling programs benefit from education that meets the strict standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This respected accreditation will give a learning experience that matches the highest professional standards. Students learn eight essential areas that shape professional counselor identity: professional orientation and ethics, social and cultural identities, lifespan development, career development, counseling practice, group counseling, assessment processes, and research.
The department’s faculty shows its dedication to diversity and excellence. The counseling department has 12 total faculty members—6 full-time and 6 part-time instructors. The team includes 11 female and 1 male faculty member, each bringing unique views to student learning. Faculty research covers specialized areas like play therapy, trauma, spirituality and wellness, reproductive health, and LGBTQ+ issues in counseling.
Students build a strong professional identity rooted in ethics through their coursework, mentorship, and clinical training. They learn to spot personal strengths, embrace cultural differences, sharpen critical thinking, and show dedication to service and leadership. This thorough preparation helps graduates work successfully in community agencies, healthcare organizations, schools, government institutions, businesses, and private practices.
The student population showcases the program’s commitment to diversity. Among 87 total graduate students, about 65% identify as White or Caucasian, 15% as Hispanic/Latino, 13% as Black or African American, with other racial and ethnic backgrounds making up smaller percentages. The gender breakdown shows roughly 75% female and 24% male students.
Counseling programs at Stetson University
Stetson University’s Department of Counselor Education offers two excellent graduate programs. Each program prepares counseling professionals for specific career paths in mental health.
The Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program gives you key skills to help clients in different mental health settings. You may qualify for licensure as a mental health counselor in Florida after completing the program. This detailed program readies you for careers in community agencies, healthcare organizations, schools, government, business settings, and private practice. You’ll learn to work with people of all backgrounds and handle various issues including children, youth, families, substance use, multicultural concerns, and wellness.
The Master of Science in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (MCFC) program examines how key relationships affect individual experiences and well-being throughout life. Research shows treating mental health and family issues within relational contexts works best. You’ll get training in both individual psychotherapy and family systems approaches. This helps you understand client symptoms within their relationship context. As a marriage and family therapist, you’ll help individuals, couples, and families from all walks of life. You’ll treat depression, anxiety, mood disorders, substance abuse, and trauma from a relationship-based view. After graduating, you can apply to become a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist intern in Florida.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits both programs. This ensures high curriculum standards and thorough fieldwork supervision. The prestigious accreditation substantially boosts your chances to get licensed in different states. The CMHC program needs 60 total credits – 51 credits of core classes and nine credits of practicum and internship experiences.
Students seeking specialized knowledge can choose Stetson’s Advanced Studies Options. These options prepare future clinical mental health counselors or marriage, couple and family counselors with expert knowledge in play therapy and spirituality in counseling.
The Department of Counselor Education works with the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Advanced students can take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). Passing these exams adds valuable credentials that speed up your professional growth after graduation.
Internships/Practicum at Stetson
Hands-on experience is the substance of Stetson University’s counseling programs. Students complete a detailed sequence of supervised clinical work. The curriculum has 51 credits of core classes along with nine credits for practicum and internship experiences, totaling 60 credits.
The final year of your program requires a one-year commitment to practicum and internship. Students should start preparing nine to twelve months before their planned start date. This timeline will give a suitable placement that matches your career goals. Applications are due on November 1 for Spring entry, April 1 for Summer entry, and July 1 for Fall entry.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Counseling students must complete 800 total hours with at least 300 direct client contact hours. The experience happens in three phases:
- Practicum: 200 total hours (minimum 40 direct hours) in one semester
- Internship I: 300 total hours (minimum 130 direct hours)
- Internship II: 300 total hours (minimum 130 direct hours)
Dual major students face additional requirements. They need 1400 total hours with 520 direct client contact hours. Marriage and Family track students must complete 200 direct hours in clinical relational work such as couple or family therapy.
The Hatters Behavioral Health Coalition (HBHC) Program is a chance to make a difference. Students can counsel underserved populations while combining behavioral and medical health approaches. The program offers a $10,000 federal stipend to help with living expenses during the 12-month commitment.
Most sites need background checks that students must pay for themselves. These checks typically include Level I FDLE Criminal History Information screenings from local law enforcement agencies.
Your clinical experience documentation will cover various client interactions. These include individual counseling, relational work, play therapy, and group sessions. This creates a solid foundation for your counseling career.
What makes Stetson University unique?
Stetson’s counseling programs excel through their perfect mix of academic excellence and real-life application. Their faculty members don’t just teach – they actively practice and research in the counseling profession. They bring fresh insights straight to their classrooms.
The Stetson experience stands out because of its tight-knit, relationship-focused community approach to learning. Students learn from nationally recognized experts who take a personal interest in their development. Small class sizes and low student-faculty ratios make this personal attention possible and encourage mentoring opportunities you won’t find at bigger schools.
CACREP accreditation gives Stetson’s programs strict curriculum standards and complete fieldwork supervision. This accreditation lines up with the CACREP model of licensure, so graduates have better chances to get licensed in different states.
The Department of Counselor Education supports you throughout your learning experience. Students develop tools and resilience needed to succeed in counseling, especially when they have supervised clinical experiences that blend theory with practice.
Stetson’s counseling graduates become leaders who promote and drive positive change in mental health care across Florida and beyond. Many international students choose Stetson because it offers high employment rates after graduation and exceptional education quality.
Research opportunities, interactive learning, and hands-on experiences turn your academic journey into valuable professional preparation. Stetson’s comprehensive approach focuses on the long-term wellness of people and families instead of just treating symptoms.
Next steps
Stetson University’s Department of Counselor Education is a top choice for future counseling professionals. The CACREP-accredited programs prepare you for licensure in many states. You can choose between two reliable graduate tracks—Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling. These programs give you specialized skills that match your career goals.
The detailed curriculum combines theory with practical application to promote both professional expertise and personal development. Your final year includes practicum and internship experiences that provide real-life training with 800 hours of clinical experience before graduation. This hands-on approach helps you apply classroom concepts and build confidence in your counseling abilities.
Small class sizes and dedicated faculty create a learning environment where personal attention is standard. The faculty’s expertise covers specializations like play therapy, trauma, spirituality, and LGBTQ+ issues to enrich your learning. The program also emphasizes diversity to help you work with clients from all backgrounds and life situations.
Students who choose Stetson’s counseling education become part of a community focused on excellence, ethical practice, and service. Graduates are ready to make an impact as mental health professionals in settings of all types—from community agencies to private practice. Stetson University ended up offering more than just a degree. It delivers an educational experience that develops skilled, compassionate counselors ready to help individuals, couples, and families with complex mental health needs.