FGCU College of Education

Mental Health Counseling

View the Mental Health Counseling Planned Program Information (.pdf)
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The Counseling Program at FGCU conducts an orientation for new and prospective students during the second week of each semester. Please contact Dr. Russell Sabella by phone (239-590-7782) or via email (rsabella@fgcu.edu) for information regarding the next scheduled orientation meeting. Also, you may click here to access a PowerPoint presentation used in the meeting.

Mental Health Counseling Counselor Education (MA)

The master's program in Counselor Education: Mental Health Counseling prepares students for licensure as mental health counselors. Graduates in mental health counseling are prepared to work in a variety of community, social service, and private arenas. Program goals are reflective of national standards and include the development of professional competence, respect for clients, self-awareness, individual growth, professional identity, an effective professional philosophy, and a research orientation. In addition, unique to the FGCU experience are goals including accountability, advocacy, technological literacy, professional leadership and field-based learning. This program provides a broad theoretical base for practice as well as an appreciation of how social and economic factors impact individuals, families, communities, and social institutions (e.g. schools, agencies, self-help organizations). Likewise, the program promotes acquisition of appropriate counseling, appraisal and assessment, consultation, and referral skills for use in helping interventions.

All programs currently offered in counselor education are designed as part-time programs with students completing two courses plus a field experience in the average semester. Students may be non-degree seeking for the first semester of attendance while they complete the admissions process. However, under normal circumstances, students must be fully admitted prior to the beginning of the second semester.

All students interested in pursuing the program specialty area of Mental Health Counseling earn an MA degree. Students entering this program begin their studies during the fall semester.

Students pursuing the master's program in counseling take common coursework in human development, legal and ethical issues of the profession, career development, appraisal methods, practicum and research and program evaluation.

Additional specialized courses focusing on mental health counseling are offered in areas such as counseling theories, group work, and professional development. A unique feature of the FGCU counselor education program is that all students are engaged in some field-based activities every semester they are enrolled in the program. This emphasis on applications in real-world settings provides students with the necessary opportunity to develop applied skills while also increasing their knowledge.

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