Breakthrough Training in Counselor Education

The Department of Counselor Education’s mission is to educate students for professional counseling practice and leadership in local, national, and international domains. Mindful that education extends beyond coursework, faculty and students collaborate with schools, communities, agencies, and other professionals to conduct research and provide services with the highest ethical and professional standards and values. Read more about the department’s Mission Statement and Florida Atlantic University’s strong commitment to diversity

The department’s award-winning faculty members are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their fields, having a strong record of research productivity, excellent teaching evaluations, and outstanding university service and national service to the counseling profession. Faculty aspire to produce new knowledge and relevant research, create dynamic atmospheres for learning, and inspire students to actualize their potential, all with the goal of achieving just solutions to human concerns. Read more about our faculty.

Why is Our Program Your Best Choice?

Located in sunny South Florida, the Department of Counselor Education offers multiple flexible and affordable degree options, including nationally recognized master’s degree programs with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, and School Counseling; Educational Specialist Degree programs in Mental Health and School Counseling; and a Doctoral Program in Counseling, which received the SACES 2020 Outstanding Doctoral Counselor Education and Supervision Award

The Counselor Education programs at FAU meet and exceed all state and national certification, licensing, and accreditation requirements in counseling. Full programs are located on the Boca Raton Campus. Select school counseling courses are offered on the MacArthur Campus in Palm Beach County.

Our highly active counseling honors society, Chi Sigma Iota Beta Rho Chi Chapter, recently received the CSI 2020 and 2021 Outstanding Chapter Award (Large Chapter), CSI Florida Outstanding Chapter Award, and recognitions for the award-winning "Counseling Times" newsletter (read the latest edition).

CACREP, APR, and Outcome Reports

Degree Programs (CACREP)

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.Ed.)  

CACREP accredited until March 31, 2032.

This specialization is designed to prepare graduates to assess, diagnose and treat clients with mental disorders as well as those with problems in living. Graduates will have completed all the academic requirements to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida. The program emphasizes the development of skills in counseling individuals, families, and groups, using the best theoretical and research-based practices. Learn More...

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (M.Ed.)  

CACREP accredited until March 31, 2032.

This program is an inter-disciplinary field of study designed to train professional rehabilitation counselors to work for and with persons with disabilities in both the public and private sectors. Graduates will have completed academic requirements to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), prepared for professional leadership, administration, and direct service delivery. In addition, graduates will have completed all the academic requirements to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Florida. Learn More...

School Counseling (M.Ed.)  

CACREP accredited until March 31, 2032.

This specialization is designed to prepare graduates to implement comprehensive, research-based and national standards-based school counseling programs. Graduates are eligible for certification as K-12 school counselors. The coursework and supervised field experience focus on the following four areas of direct service: Individual Counseling, Group Counseling, Classroom Guidance, and Consulting with teachers and parents. Learn More...

Doctoral Program in Counseling (Ph.D.)  

CACREP accredited until March 31, 2032.

The degree is a 60-hour post-masters, CACREP-oriented program to train leaders and researchers. Since our Ph.D. Counseling program will accept students who are already licensed or certified counselors, it is not primarily clinically-focused, although it will enhance students’ clinical skills. Rather, this unique program will emphasize research and leadership in student–faculty research groups. Accordingly, its purpose is to prepare counseling professionals for local and national leadership in the field as university professors, researchers, clinical supervisors, directors or program coordinators in mental health agencies, school settings and rehabilitation programs. Learn More...

SPOTLIGHT STORIES

STUDENTS
Ghari Shirley
Ghari Shirley, M.Ed.
Ph.D. in Counseling, Graduate Research Assistant

2022 Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year, Department of Counselor Education, Florida Atlantic University Read More

ALUMNI
Taylor Irvine, Ph. D.
Taylor Irvine, Ph.D.
Counselor Education

Degree: Ph.D. in Counseling Read More

FACULTY
Ayse Torres, Ph.D.
Ayse Torres, Ph.D.
Counselor Education

Assistant Professor, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. Read More

NEWS ALL NEWS

Graduation
April 25, 2023

Several Florida Atlantic University graduate programs are included in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Programs” for 2023-24, including rehabilitation counseling at No. 36.

WAVES
April 21, 2023

FAU's Department of Counselor Education has received a five-year, $6 million grant for a project titled, the “Wellness Advocates Valuing Educators and Students” (WAVES) program.

FAU Researcher Seeks to Help People with Disabilities
July 12, 2022

Jennifer Sánchez, Ph.D., associate research professor in COE department of Counselor Education, featured in FAU Research Daily’s Faculty Spotlight.

First-Generation Graduate and Proud
May 05, 2022

Nigel Johnson, M.Ed. in Counselor Education (Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling), is the first in his family to attend a four-year university and earn a master’s degree. He credits FAU’s first generation programs with helping him navigate college, along with his parents whose sacrifices fueled his ambition.

 Kelly Emelianchik-Key, Ph.D., and  Carman S. Gill
May 04, 2021

Kelly Emelianchik-Key, Ph.D. & Carman S. Gill, Ph.D., involved in study to understand the dating violence experience and perpetration of college-age women.

 
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Accreditation & Awards

CACREP Accredited
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Florida Department of Education
U.S. News Best Online Programs - Grad Education - Rehabilitation and Counseling - 2023-2024
Best Grad Schools for Education by U.S. News 2023-2024
Best Grad Schools by U.S. News 2023-2024
Best Masters Program
Best Online Programs for Graduate Education by U.S. News 2020
Best Grad Schools U.S. News Health 2020