The Master of Education in Counselor Education degree is a CACREP-accredited program that prepares students for professional careers as either school counselors (48 hour program) or counselors in clinical mental health or private practice settings (60 hour program).
Some courses require outside field experiences, coordinated by the faculty, to help students gain a sense of professional responsibilities and expectations in the field. Courses are offered during evening hours, on Saturdays, or in hybrid or online formats to accommodate those who may already be working.
Mission Statement
Augusta University's Counselor Education Program trains professional counselors at the graduate level in the specializations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. The program acknowledges a commitment both to the students who will pursue preparation as professional counselors and to the larger public served by our graduates, for whom we all share a responsibility. It is due to this commitment that the faculty holds high standards in the process of training professional counselors.
As the second largest metropolitan area in Georgia, Augusta has a large urban population; yet, we also serve suburban and rural communities. From this unique vantage point, we recognize the need to address the economic, educational, and sociocultural inequalities that exist in our community. As a result, we expect students to develop a commitment to community service, both for the prevention and remediation of life's problems, and to the pursuit of excellence in the counseling profession. Both the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and School Counseling program have purpose statements more specific to each specialty area:
The purpose of the AU Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is to prepare highly skilled professional counselors for work in a range of community and agency settings. Graduates effectively assess client needs, prepare relevant treatment plans, and utilize theoretically driven therapeutic services that facilitate client growth, resiliency and wellness in both individual and group formats. They respect human diversity, demonstrate leadership capabilities, demonstrate an understanding of the organizational and administrative aspects of delivering counseling services, and apply appropriate ethical principles of the profession.
The purpose of the AU School Counseling Program is to prepare highly skilled professional school counselors for work in a range of K-12 school settings. Through training in leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and systemic change, graduates provide individual, group, and classroom guidance services that enhance K-12 students' academic success and increase student social/emotional development and career preparedness. Graduates implement prevention and intervention measures that promote wellness and resiliency and demonstrate leadership, service, and advocacy for systemic change. Graduates adhere to the ethical principles of the profession, respect human diversity, and are knowledgeable in needs assessment, program development and evaluation, and the overall management of a comprehensive school counseling program.
Areas of Study:
Admission Requirements
