The mission of the Counselor Education Program is to train prospective school and
mental health counselors for the new century as agents of change, who have the ability
to assess, develop, implement, and sustain up-to-date counseling initiatives that
are representative of a multicultural and pluralistic society.
The Counselor Education Program is a Master’s degree program offered in the Department
of Educational Leadership and Counseling in the College of Education and provides
the educational requirements for graduates to become certified school counselors and
state board eligible clinical mental health counselors.
School counselors recognize the nature and needs of individuals at all developmental
levels.
What is counseling education?
The Counselor Education Program at Florida A&M University offers a planned sequence
of educational experiences for (a) individuals seeking a Master’s of Science (M.S.)
or a Masters of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Counselor Education and (b) individuals
who possess a Master’s degree and wish to certify in School Counseling. The program
is a 60 hour program leading to the Master’s of Science or Master’s of Education in
Counseling: School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counselor. Graduates of School
Counseling are eligible to apply for and obtain school counseling certification upon
successful completion of all components of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination.
Graduates in Clinical Mental Health Counseling are eligible to apply for a license
through the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental
Health Counseling.
Counselors should confer knowledgeably with candidates, parents, teachers, administrators.
Counseling Education Careers
• Elementary School Counselor • Middle School Counselor • High School Counselor • Clinical Mental Health Counselor • Marriage & Family Therapy Counselor
Effectively utilize evidenced based practices to establish and maintain rapport, and
developing treatment plans for clients in the counseling setting.
Q: What is the difference between a Health Counseling Education Degree and other counseling
or psychology programs? A: While traditional counseling or psychology programs focus primarily on mental health
issues, a Health Counseling Education Degree program integrates mental health counseling
with a focus on physical health and wellness. This specialized training equips graduates
to address the psychological and emotional aspects of chronic illness, disability,
pain management, and health behavior change within healthcare settings.
Q: Can I specialize in a specific area within Health Counseling during my degree program?
A: Yes, many Health Counseling Education Degree programs offer opportunities for specialization
or concentration in areas such as chronic illness management, pain management, behavioral
health integration in primary care, substance abuse counseling, or trauma counseling.
Specialization allows students to gain in-depth knowledge and skills in their area
of interest and better prepare for specific career paths within health counseling.
Q: What clinical experiences are included in a Health Counseling Education Degree
program? A: Health Counseling Education Degree programs typically include supervised clinical
experiences, practicum, and internship placements in various healthcare settings.
These experiences provide students with opportunities to apply counseling theories
and techniques, work with diverse client populations, and gain hands-on experience
in addressing health-related issues under the supervision of licensed professionals.
