Counselor Education

Marcia Bedasse, Ed.D., Dean

Professors

Philip J. Henry, Ph.D.
Larry E. Shyers, Ph.D.
Steven Vensel, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors

Ana J. Graham, Ph.D.
Devie Forrester, Ed.D. (Director)
Kathryn Bosso, Ph.D.
Jeremy Bonta, Ph.D.
JoAnn Kutsukos, Ed.D.
Lindsay Kozachuk, Ph.D.

Instructor

Laura Rendon-Finnell, M.S.

Mission

The mission of the Counselor Education Program is to facilitate a holistic educational experience, through which students develop personal and professional qualities, competencies, ethical judgment, and spiritual awareness, as they prepare for professional service in school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, or for advanced study in a related field.

The heritage of Christian faith expressed in the University’s values and the knowledge discovered within the counseling and helping professions have shaped the Counselor Education Program’s “distinctively Christian and clinically professional” identity. Through a rigorous academic curriculum, field-based experiential learning, personal growth experiences, and a close mentoring relationships with highly skilled faculty, students are prepared to enter the field of professional counseling in a wide variety of settings, including schools and universities, community agencies, private practices, humanitarian and government agencies.

The program is designed to prepare students to seek Florida licensure in Mental Health Counseling or Florida certification in School Counseling. For those who do not plan to seek licensure but would like to advance their understanding of human development, wellness, and helping skills, the major in General Counseling Studies is recommended. This degree is designed to provide students with both a foundational knowledge of the helping process and the opportunity to concentrate in areas important to their interests and career goals.

The Counselor Education Program offers:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC)

Optional Concentrations

Crisis and Trauma Counseling Concentration

Marriage and Family Therapy Studies (MFTS) Concentration

Play Therapy Concentration

Counseling in School Settings Concentration

Additional Training

Certified Addiction Professional (CAP)

The Counselor Education Program provides interested students with academic training in substance abuse counseling. The CAP (Certified Addiction Professional) designation is a professional substance abuse credential for people who assess, develop, and provide substance abuse treatment services and plans. Substance Abuse Counseling Certification in Florida has three levels of certification for Substance Abuse Counseling. The lowest tier is known as the Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS), the second tier is known as the Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) and the highest level is known as the Certified Addiction Professional (CAP). COU 5553 Substance Abuse II: Transdisciplinary and Professional Practice covers the necessary core areas of Alcohol & Drug treatment to meet the requirements for Certified Addiction Professional (CAP). Please note that the Counselor Education Program does not directly certify individuals in addiction counseling; however, it helps fulfill the educational requirement toward CAP.

Licensure/Certification

The Palm Beach Atlantic University Counselor Education Program has a carefully planned curriculum designed to meet the requirements for professional licensure or certification in the State of Florida, and other states with similar licensure laws, under two* separate majors:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (licensure)
School Counseling (certification)

* As previously mentioned, the General Counseling Studies major is not intended to lead to licensure or certification.

Certificates

Crisis and Trauma Counseling Certificate

Play Therapy Graduate Certificate

To apply: Please submit an official copy of your transcripts and a summary stating why you desire to enroll at Palm Beach Atlantic University and how the Crisis and Trauma Counseling Certificate or Play Therapy Graduate Certificate will contribute to personal or professional development.

Master of Counseling Curriculum Requirements

Course requirements for each individual major under the M.S. in Counseling can be found via the links below. (Failure to follow the sample degree plan may result in a delay in graduation.)

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Graduation Requirements

Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling/School Counseling/General Counseling Studies (Non Licensure)

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization (major): Successful completion of the prescribed curriculum of 60 credit hours with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a grade of “B” or higher in COU 5133 Counseling Skills and Characteristics , COU 5123 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards , and COU 5263 Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling , as well as practicum and internship courses; 1,000 hours of supervised practicum and internship under a supervisor approved by the program faculty; and an exit exam.

Note:

In addition to the graduation requirements specific to each specialization (major), student performance is assessed throughout the program in key performance indicators, overall progress, and professional dispositions, as outlined in the Counselor Education Handbook.