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

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Degree Programs (CACREP)

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.Ed.)

CACREP accredited until October 31, 2023.

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 (Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling) until October 31, 2023.

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 October 31, 2023.

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 October 31, 2023.

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

NEWS ALL NEWS

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

'Boys Will Be Boys' - Study Explores Views of College Dating Violence

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.

Paul Peluso, Ph.D., FAU COE department of Counselor Education

Far away, so close: Negotiating relationships during COVID-19

February 17, 2021

Professor Paul Peluso, Ph.D., department of Counselor Education, weighs in on couples' relationships as they endure the pandemic.

FAU Makes ‘U.S. News & World Report’ Lists for Best Graduate Programs

March 17, 2020

FAU programs listed in the 2021 “Best Graduate Programs” include overall education (No. 158) and speech-language pathology (No. 146).

FAU Partners with St. Lucie Public Schools to Increase the Number of School Counselors

October 23, 2019

Elizabeth Villares was instrumental in an FAU and St. Lucie Public Schools collaboration to develop the S.W.E.L.L. program designed to increase the number of SLPS school counselors.