Master of Arts (MA) in Counselor Education

The College of Community Innovation and Education offers CACREP accredited graduate degrees in Counselor Education (with tracks in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling) and Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling track prepares students for licensure in mental health counseling and to practice in agencies, private practices, and other settings. The School Counseling track prepares students for certification as a professional school counselor in Pre-K through post-secondary school settings. The Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy program prepares students for licensure in marriage and family therapy and to practice in agencies, private practices, and other settings.

As part of the program's pragmatic approach to preparing counselors, in addition to classroom studies, all students complete clinical experiences in the UCF Community Counseling and Research Center and field-based experiences in the community. The UCF Community Counseling and Research Center serves as a hub for training and research in the program, with graduate students providing counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults through the provision of individual, couples, and family therapy. The CCRC serves more than 1400 individuals, couples, and families in the central Florida community.

Because the programs in Counselor Education (Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling Tracks) and Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy are CACREP accredited and prepare students for licensure and/or certification as professional counselors, students must be formally admitted to the program in order to take any program area courses. There are three exceptions to this restriction: (1) non-degree seeking students interested in exploring the program prior to admission may take MHS 5005 - Introduction to the Counseling Profession, pending available space after admitted students have been placed in the course; (2) individuals who already possess a master's degree (or above) and are taking courses toward a certificate program (e.g., Play Therapy or Career Counseling) may take the necessary courses upon being accepted into the appropriate certificate program, and; (3) individuals who already possess a master's degree (or above) in counseling or a related field (i.e. psychology or social work) and are taking courses toward Florida licensure in (a) MHC, and thus may take MHS 6020 - Mental Health Care Systems, MHS 6070 - Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling, MHS 6450 - Addictions Counseling, and/or MHS 6470 - Human Sexuality and Relationships, or; (b) MFT, and thus may take MHS 6430 - Family Counseling I, MHS 6431 Family Counseling II (MHS 6430 is the pre-requisite), and/or MHS 6440 Couples Counseling – enrollment in any of these courses is pending available space after admitted students have been enrolled.

The Master's of Arts in Counselor Education--School Counseling MA track is a state-approved initial teacher preparation program that is subject to any change in the Florida Administrative Code (State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.066). Students enrolled in this program should remain in close contact with their adviser to keep informed of any program changes implemented to comply with new state requirements.

Please note that Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy MA Program is a separate degree but still part of the Counselor Education program.

This program prepares students for state-regulated professional licensure or certification. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please visit here.