The Counseling Programs at FGCU

The Counseling Department offers two programs that are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP): an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and both an MA and MEd in School Counseling. Our School Counseling programs are additionally approved by the state of Florida DOE for initial and added certification and are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, CAEP (formerly the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education or NCATE.)

The Counseling Programs at FGCU have a long history of graduates in Southwest Florida dating back to 1991 through the USF at Fort Myers branch campus. In these last two decades, the program has grown and evolved to meet local and national needs and practices and has always provided its graduates with high levels of skill, professionalism, and integrity. Our Southwest Florida community has many opportunities to serve its children, adults and families in its schools, community agencies, advocacy groups, health care, and other providers of support and clinical services. Our faculty, have varying expertise areas, research interests, and backgrounds as school and mental health counselors and often bring their professional experiences and research interests to the classroom to ensure that we create an engaging and realistic learning environment.

The FGCU MA program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling fully prepares students to be eligible for registered intern status on the way to licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. Graduates from this program work in community agencies, mental health settings, and private practices after graduation and most seek and achieve licensure.

Our MA program in School Counseling provides students who do not have prior teacher education training or certification to become certified educators in School Counseling (PK-12). Our MEd program provides an additional certification area in School Counseling (PK-12) for those who already have one or more teacher certifications or preparation. The programs thus prepare school counseling leaders who can design, deliver and evaluation curriculum and programming in academic, career, and personal/social development according to American School Counselor Association's National Model and other key educational standards. Students in the MA program enroll for nine credits of educator preparation courses prior to joining the MEd cohort.

Click here to learn more: http://www.fgcu.edu/CHPSW/Counseling/

Or contact Dr. Abbe Finn (afinn@fgcu.edu), Program Coordinator, to discuss your interests and goals.