Department of Counseling and School Psychology Programs

Master of Science Degree in Counseling — Clinical Mental Health Counseling 

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program prepares graduates to work with clients across a spectrum of mental and emotional disorders, as well as to promote mental health and wellness. Clients may be served individually, as families, or in group settings. Clinical Mental Health Counselors are knowledgeable in principles and practices of diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders, referral, and prevention and often work in interdisciplinary teams with other health professionals. Employment opportunities may include private practice, community-based mental health centers, hospitals, and other treatment centers.

The M.S. program is accredited by the Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which is the premier independent accrediting body in counselor education. For more information, please see the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) website.

The MS in CMHC is designed to meet the curricular requirements for Connecticut State Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 credit hours) prepares graduate students to work in a variety of community counseling agencies, college counseling centers, hospitals, and other counseling settings including private practice. Students develop skills and theoretical knowledge in practicing individual, group and career counseling with diverse populations in either public or private agencies. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master of Science requires completion of 60 credits, including completion of one semester practicum (100 hours) and two semester internship (600 hours). Students find practicum and internship placements in a variety of settings, including community counseling centers, child guidance centers, crisis stabilization programs, rape crisis and domestic violence programs, substance abuse programs, college counseling centers, youth services programs and inpatient and residential treatment programs. A comprehensive examination and a portfolio submission are required for Master’s of Science Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Students who complete the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling are prepared to take the National Counselor Examination (NCC), the exam required by the state of Connecticut for licensure as a professional counselor. This examination is also required for national board certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors. 

Please note that completion of a master's program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is only one of the requirements for obtaining Licensure as a Professional Counselor. Each student is responsible for understanding the Connecticut State Department of Public Health licensure requirements, as described on their website. 

A criminal record review may be required for licensure or certification in professional counseling. Additionally, some sites require fingerprinting and a criminal check when working vulnerable populations, such as children or clients involved in the criminal justice system.

Admissions Criteria for Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Candidates for the program are evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Applicants should have a strong academic background and/or potential, as evidenced by a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. For applicants with undergraduate GPAs between 2.5 and 3.0, GPA Waivers may be possible under certain circumstances, with program faculty and university approval. For information on how to improve your undergraduate GPA to above a 2.5, you can use a GPA calculator to identify the number of courses you might need to reach the required GPA threshold.
2. Applicants should have a foundational knowledge related to human services or psychology, as represented by holding a bachelor's degree psychology or related field and having at least 2 required prerequisites: Introduction to Psychology and Abnormal Psychology/Psychopathology. Applicants with degrees in unrelated fields may still be considered for admission. It is possible for students to complete prerequisites after acceptance.
3. Applicants should be strongly recommended by two (2) individuals who have known them in a professional and/or academic setting and can speak to their potential as a graduate student and clinical mental health counselor, including an assessment of their interpersonal skills and commitment to diversity. At least one recommendation should be from an academic reference (e.g., professor).
4. Applicants should submit a clear, well-written 500-word essay describing the basis of their interest in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at SCSU.
5. Applicants should have some experience, either volunteer or professional, in a helping role. These experiences can be described on their resume.
6. Applicants should demonstrate potential as a professional counselor, including strong interpersonal skills, and knowledge of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling field within an admissions interview, if invited.

Application Deadline

To be considered for admission to the program the following summer or fall, all admissions materials must be received by January 15 for summer only. Students may start coursework in summer or fall. For further information: CMHCGrad@southernct.edu.

This respecialization certificate prepares students who already have a master's degree in School Counseling for work as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and is designed to satisfy the curricular requirements for the Connecticut Department of Public Health Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). The certificate includes 20 credits of required coursework – 12 credits of course content and 8 credits of fieldwork. Candidates are required to complete a two semester 600-hour supervised internship placement within a clinical mental health counseling setting. 

Candidates for this certificate program must hold a master's degree in School Counseling. In addition, candidates must complete prerequisite courses in psychology and have a course related to the treatment of substance abuse. No comprehensive exam or thesis is required. 

Each student is responsible for understanding the Connecticut State Department of Public Health licensure requirements, as described on their website. Further, students seeking board certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors are responsible for understanding requirements for this optional certification. 

A criminal record is a required component of Licensure as a Professional Counselor. Additionally, some sites require fingerprinting and a criminal check when working vulnerable populations, such as children or prisoners.

Admissions Criteria for Post-Master's Certificate in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Candidates for the program are evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Applicants should have a strong academic background and/or potential, as evidenced by a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. For applicants with undergraduate GPAs between 2.5 and 3.0, GPA Waivers may be possible under certain circumstances, with program faculty and university approval. For information on how to increase your undergraduate GPA to above a 2.5, you can use a GPA calculator to identify how many courses you would need to improve your GPA.
2. Applicants must have a Master’s Degree in School Counseling.
3. Applicants should have should be strongly recommended by 2 individuals who have known them in a professional and/or academic setting and can speak to their potential as a graduate student and clinical mental health counselor, including an assessment of their interpersonal skills and commitment to diversity. At least one recommendation must be from an academic reference (e.g., professor).
4. Applicants should submit a clear, well-written 500-word essay describing the basis of their interest in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at SCSU.
5. Applicants should have some experience, either volunteer or professional, in a helping role, as demonstrated on their resume.
6. Applicants should illustrate potential as a counselor, interpersonal skills, and knowledge of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling field within an admissions interview, if invited.

Application Deadline

In order to be considered for admission to the program the following fall, all admissions materials must be received by January 15.

For further information: CMHCGrad@southernct.edu.

Please note, this certificate program is not accredited by CACREP.

The Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral program (CES Ed.D.) is designed to produce scholars and leaders who are prepared to train and supervise professional counselors to address the needs of those served in mental health and education settings. Tailored around each student’s unique career goals, the program allows students to focus on the counseling specialties of clinical mental health counseling, school counseling or college counseling/student affairs.  

 The mission of the program is to prepare counselor educators, supervisors, and leaders to:   

• Conduct research and engage in creative activities that contribute to the profession
• Provide culturally responsive counseling supervision
• Facilitate learning and counselor education within a decolonization social justice framework
• Engage in leadership and advocacy at local, regional, and national levels
• Deliver clinical excellence in counseling services 

The CES plan of study follows a hybrid model. Courses are offered in various formats, with most including a combination of online and on-ground evening classes. The program is created for working professionals and may be completed in three years. Comprehensive exams as well as a dissertation/capstone are required for degree completion.

Doctoral students participate in supervised fieldwork designed to meet the unique learning needs of each student. This includes a 100-hour practicum, of which 40 hours must be direct counseling services. Additionally, doctoral students complete a 600-hour internship with supervised experiences in at least three of the five doctoral core areas of counseling, teaching, supervision, research and scholarship, and leadership and advocacy. Comprehensive exams as well as a dissertation are required for degree completion.

Special note: The CES Ed.D. program is designed to align with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP) requirements and as per CACREP's procedures, is in the process of active review for accreditation by CACREP.

Admission Criteria  

1. A Master's degree in counseling or a related field from an accredited college or university is required. Students are expected to have completed curricular experiences equivalent to CACREP entry-level standards and curricular requirements of a specific CACREP program area before beginning doctoral-level counselor education coursework. Any missing content may be completed before or in some cases (e.g., if minimal content is needed) concurrently with initial doctoral-level counselor education coursework.
   • Note: For students coming from programs that are not CACREP-accredited, submission of syllabi may be necessary for review of accreditation requirements. 
2. Preferred candidates will hold licensure (LPC), provisional licensure (LPCA), and/or a school counseling certificate.   
3. 600-word essay speaking to the following areas: 
   • Reasons for pursuing a doctorate in CES 
   • Brief career history 
   • Areas of experience/interest in terms of population, modalities, teaching/supervision/research/leadership 
   • The role that social justice has played for the applicant in their drive to pursue a doctorate in CES 
4. Cumulative Undergraduate GPA must be 3.0 or above. Graduate GPA must be 3.5 or above. For select candidates, a GPA waiver can be requested. 
5. A select group of applicants will be offered the opportunity to participate in an admission interview. Components of the admissions interview include:  
   • Informational roundtable meeting with current CES students
   • Individual interview with faculty members
   • Brief mock counseling session with one of our current students

Application Deadline

Visit Doctoral Programs for the deadline. For further information, contact CounselingEDDgrad@southernct.edu.

The MS School Counseling program is accredited by the Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which is the premier independent accrediting body in counselor education.

The MS program is designed to meet the State of Connecticut Certification (068) as a K-12 School Counselor. This program prepares graduate students to work in a variety of school settings including elementary, intermediate, middle, and high school levels. Students are trained to provide preventive and responsive counseling services that meet the guidelines of the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) National Model, as well as the Connecticut Comprehensive School Counseling Framework (CCSCF).

School counselors are employed primarily in educational settings. They use their counseling knowledge, insight, and skills to promote human welfare and educational success, and to improve the institutions and programs in which they are involved.

School counselors:

• provide a program of services for students in the school to promote academic, social- emotional, and career development in a proactive and preventive manner;
• provide individual and group counseling for students identified in need;
• consult with teachers, parents, faculty, and administrators concerning student academic, social-emotional, and career success;
• provide a liaison with community agencies to garner services for students and families.
• implement a comprehensive program which focuses on the uniqueness of all students based on data-informed decision making, closing achievement and opportunity gaps, and results in improved student outcomes.

These areas are in alignment with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Standards and the Connecticut Comprehensive School Counseling Framework (CCSCF). The program components include delivery of service (i.e., school counseling curriculum, individual planning, responsive services), accountability, and program management. For more information about school counseling, see the Connecticut School Counselor Association and the American School Counseling Association (ASCA).

The MS school counseling program consists of 60 credits and is available in full or part time study. The program includes two field experiences, a practicum and an internship. Practicum offers students the opportunity to develop, sharpen, and demonstrate individual and group counseling skills. Students are required to spend a minimum of 100 hours over the course of one semester within a school setting. The internship is an intensive, diversified experience that exposes students to a full range of school counselor responsibilities appropriate to the setting. The internship consists of a 10-month long, 700-hour minimum, supervised counseling experience in a school setting. Both fieldwork experiences are completed under the supervision of a certified school counselor. A comprehensive exam is required.

Note: Because the MS-SC program is CACREP accredited, certified teachers with 30 months of teaching experience must complete no less than 600 hours over the course of one or two semesters.

Admission Criteria for School Counseling

Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:

1. Academic background: Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. GPA Waivers are possible under certain circumstances.
2. Connecticut State Department of Education's special education requirement: This requirement is a course that is offered at many colleges and universities in Connecticut (at SCSU it is SED 481 or 482 or 502). A list of those courses is available at the CT State Department of Education's Website. https://portal.ct.gov/sdecertification/Knowledge-Base/Articles/Resources/Approved-Course-Lists/What-special-education-courses-are-approved?language=en_US. You may apply even though you have not completed this prerequisite course requirement. Many students opt to take this course in the summer prior to beginning their school counseling program. It is possible for students to complete thisafter acceptance. Students will have one year to complete this requirement once admitted.
3. Recommender Contacts: contact information for at least three individuals who know the candidate in a professional and/or academic setting. 
4. Admission Essay: A 500-word essay describing the basis of their interest in the School Counseling program at SCSU.
                 a. Evidence of a desire to enter the program and knowledge of the field.

                         b. Knowledge of profession.

Note: Prior to being admitted to the program, students may take up to 9 credits on non- matriculated basis. However, taking such courses does not guarantee admission.

5. Evidence of completion of an academic skills test including reading, writing and math subscores within the last five years (i.e., SAT, ACT, GRE, or Praxis Core Combined).

Application Deadline

In order to be considered for admission to the program the following fall, all admissions materials must be received by January 15. 

For further information: SchoolCounselingGrad@southernct.edu.

This advanced certificate provides course requirements and supervised fieldwork to prepare for State of Connecticut Certification (068) as a K – 12 School Counselor. Candidates for this certificate program must hold a Master’s Degree in Counseling. In addition, candidates must complete the program prerequisite course in special education required for Connecticut State Department of Education certification. The certificate includes 20-credits of required courses, 12-credits of course content, and eight-credits of fieldwork. Candidates are required to complete a 700-hour, 10-month long supervised internship placement within a school setting. No comprehensive exam or thesis is required. This program is not CACREP accredited. 

Admission Criteria 

Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:

1. Academic background: Students must have an earned master’s degree in counseling, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. GPA Waivers are possible under certain circumstances.
2. Connecticut State Department of Education's special education requirement: This requirement is a course that is offered at many colleges and universities in Connecticut (at SCSU it is SED 481 or 482 or 502). A list of those courses is available at the CT State Department of Education's Website. You may apply even though you have not completed this final course requirement. Many students opt to take this course in the summer prior to beginning their school counseling program. It is possible for students to complete this prerequisite after acceptance.  Students will have one year to complete this requirement once admitted.
3. Recommender Contacts: Contact information for at least three individuals who know the candidate in a professional and/or academic setting.
4. Admission Essay: A 500-word essay describing the basis of their interest in the School Counseling program at SCSU.
                a. Evidence of a desire to enter the program and knowledge of the field.

                         b. Knowledge of profession.

Note: Prior to being admitted to the program, students may take up to 9 credits on non- matriculated basis. However, taking such courses does not guarantee admission.

5. Evidence of completion of an academic skills test including reading, writing and math subscores  (including SAT, ACT, GRE, or Praxis Core Combined).

Application Deadline

In order to be considered for admission to the program the following fall, all admissions materials must be received by January 15. In order to be considered for admission to the program the following spring, all admission material must be received by September 15. 

For further information: SchoolCounselingGrad@southernct.edu.

This advanced certificate provides course requirements and supervised fieldwork to prepare for State of Connecticut Certification (068) as a K-12 School Counselor. Candidates for this certificate program must hold a Master’s Degree in helping professions or education-related areas. In addition, candidates must complete the program prerequisite course in special education required for Connecticut State Department of Education certification. The certificate includes 41-credits of required course and fieldwork experiences. Candidates are required to complete a 100-hour practicum, and a 700-hour, 10-month long supervised internship placement within a school setting. Candidates with 30 months certified public teaching experience may waive 50 percent of the internship. No comprehensive exam or thesis is required. This program is not CACREP accredited. For further information: SchoolCounselingGrad@southernct.edu

Admission Criteria

Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:

1. Academic background: Students must have an earned master’s degree in helping professions or education-related areas, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. GPA Waivers are possible under certain circumstances.
2. Connecticut State Department of Education's special education requirement: This requirement is a course that is offered at many colleges and universities in Connecticut (at SCSU it is SED 481 or 482 or 502). A list of those courses is available at the CT State Department of Education's Website  https://portal.ct.gov/sdecertification/Knowledge-Base/Articles/Resources/Approved-Course-Lists/What-special-education-courses-are-approved?language=en_US . You may apply even though you have not completed this final course requirement. Many students opt to take this course in the summer prior to beginning their school counseling program. It is possible for students to complete this prerequisite after acceptance.  Students will have one year to complete this requirement once admitted.
3. Recommender Contacts: Contact information for from at least three individuals who know the candidate in a professional and/or academic setting.
4. Admission Essay: A 500-word essay describing the basis of their interest in the School Counseling program at SCSU.
                  a. Evidence of a desire to enter the program and knowledge of the field.

                           b. Knowledge of profession.

Note: Prior to being admitted to the program, students may take up to 9 credits on non- matriculated basis. However, taking such courses does not guarantee admission.

5. Evidence of completion of an academic skills test including reading, writing and math subscores  (for example, SAT, ACT, GRE, or Praxis Core Combined).

Application Deadline

In order to be considered for admission to the program the following fall, all admissions materials must be received by January 15. In order to be considered for admission to the program the following spring, all admission material must be received by September 15.

The School Psychology program is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Students must complete both the Master of Science and Sixth Year Certificate in School Psychology to be  eligible for certification as a school psychologist in the State of Connecticut as well as the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential offered by National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

The Master of Science in School Psychology is completed first, during which students apply for admission to the Sixth Year Program.

A School Psychologist is a mental health professional, with broad and specialized training in both psychology and education, who provides psychological services using data-based problem solving processes. As stated by our professional organization, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP):

School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community (NASP, 2017).

Admission Criteria

To begin the application process, applicants should visit the online application portal.

Admission to the Master’s Program is based upon following criteria:

1. Academic background: applicants to the Master's Program must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0.

Although no particular undergraduate major is required, applicants to the Master's Program are required to have taken the following prerequisite courses (completion of these courses is not required to apply to the program but completion is required prior to matriculation):

• Developmental Psychology or Child Development*
• Educational Psychology, Theories of Learning, or Cognitive Psychology*
• Abnormal Psychology, Abnormal Child Psychology, or Psychopathology*
• Statistics, Psychological Statistics, or Statistics for the Behavioral (or Social Sciences)*
• Exceptionality or Exceptional Children (must be a state-approved course).*The full list of courses in Connecticut that meet the criteria for this requirement are posted on the CT State Department of Education's website.

*Prerequisite courses must be passed with a B or better
  

2. The School Psychology program requires that applicants to the Master's Program must submit evidence of having taken one of the following assessments: the Praxis® Core Combined exam, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or American College Testing (ACT). Recommendations from at least THREE individuals who know the candidate in professional and/or academic setting.
3. Personal essay explaining your reasons for wanting to enter the field of school psychology and the SCSU School Psychology program in particular. The typed/word processed essay should be approximately 250- 500 words in length.
4. A current professional resume or vita.
5. Interview with School Psychology program faculty and student representatives, if invited. 
      

Students who are granted admission to the program and have not yet fulfilled all of the course requirements will be given "Conditional Acceptance" until these requirements are met.

A comprehensive exam is required for degree completion and advancement to the SYC program in School Psychology.

Application Deadline

December 1 for fall semester. For further information: mcphersona5@southernct.edu.

Connecticut certification as a School Psychologist requires both the Masters and the Sixth Year, which are offered through the SCSU School Psychology program. The Master of Science in School Psychology is completed first, during which students apply for admission to the Sixth Year Program.

The Sixth Year Program prepares students for eligibility for the Sixth Year Certificate (a Specialist level credential). The Sixth Year Program i includes one year of full-time coursework and a 700 hour practicum experience, followed by a 10 month, full-time 1200 hour internship. 

The majority of enrollment openings in the Sixth Year Program are reserved for students who have completed the SCSU School Psychology Master’s program. Students must hold a Master’s Degree in School Psychology.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the Sixth Year Program is based upon following criteria:

1. Applicants to the Sixth Year Program must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0. Students must submit ALL prior transcripts with their application to the Sixth Year program, including ALL transcripts submitted at the time of their application to the Master’s program. If you have attended SCSU, you only need to indicate this on your application; you do not need to send your official SCSU transcript.
2. Applicants to the Sixth Year Program are required to have taken the following prerequisite course (completion of this course is not required to apply to the program but completion is required prior to matriculation): Exceptionality or Exceptional Children (must be a state-approved course).
3. The School Psychology program requires that applicants to the Master's Program must submit evidence of having taken one of the following assessments: the Praxis® Core Combined exam, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Graduate Record Exam (GRE), or American College Testing (ACT).
4. Submit a personal essay explaining your reasons for wanting to enter the field of school psychology and the SCSU School Psychology program in particular. The typed/word processed essay should be approximately 250-500 words in length and should be uploaded to the same portal to which you logged in to apply. This requirement is waived for matriculated students in the Master's Program at Southern who are applying to the Sixth Year Program.
5. Upload your professional resume or vita to the same portal to which you logged in to apply. This requirement is waived for matriculated students in  the  Master's Program at Southern who are applying to the Sixth Year Program.
6. Have THREE recommenders upload their recommendations directly into the system via a personalized link sent to them when you applied. At least one recommendation should be from someone who can speak to your academic skills. This requirement is waived for matriculated students in the  Master's Program at Southern who are applying to the Sixth Year Program. Students who are granted admission to the program and have not yet fulfilled all of the course requirements will be given "Conditional Acceptance" until these requirements are met. 

The Praxis® II– Examination in School Psychology is required for degree completion.

For further information: mcphersona5@southernct.edu.