2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

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Department of Counselor Education


Dr. Rebekah Pender, Director
Room: EC 311 

Phone: 908-737-5959

Email: rpender@kean.edu

Degrees Offered:

  • Master of Arts in Counseling 
  • Ph.D. in Counseling and Supervision
Content Area Options:
Master’s degree options
  • Alcohol and Drug Counseling (48 cr.)
  • Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 cr.)
  • College Counseling and Student Services (48 cr.)
  • School Counseling (48 cr.) 
  • School Counseling with LPC Qualification (60 cr.)
Additional certification/admissions requirements:
  • Post Master’s (Non-Degree): Licensed Professional Counseling
  • Master’s degree in Counseling from an accredited college or university
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Departmental Interview
  • Professional Resume/CV
Post Master’s Certification: Director of School Counseling

  • Baccalaureate and Master’s degree from an accredited college or university
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • New Jersey Certification in Student Personnel Services/School Counseling

 

Certification Program: Student Assistance Coordinator
  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
  • 3.0 cumulative grade point average (lower GPA’s will be considered based on overall strength of application)
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • A valid New Jersey or out-of-state standard instructional certificate or certification as school psychologist, school social worker, school counselor, director of school counseling services or school nurse
Program Accreditation:
The School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling options were accredited in 2010 by the Council for the Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)

Admissions Requirements:
  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
  • 3.0 cumulative grade point average (lower GPA’s may be considered based on overall strength of application, including career experience and time since graduation)
  • Official transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Departmental interview may be required
  • Personal statement that addresses why you have chosen counseling as a profession and what qualities you can bring to the profession
  • Professional résumé/CV detailing work and volunteer experiences relevant to counseling
  • Official TOEFL or IELTS score reports for applicants whose native language is not English or whose degree is not from an English speaking country
  • This program does NOT require the GRE for admission
The overall acceptance decision on an applicant's candidacy weighs multiple factors on the application, with the GPA being only one part. Experiences (volunteer, personal life events, etc.) and/or employment that enhance the applicant's chances of being employed in their chosen option after graduating and a maturity in their career choice are considered in the decision-making process. The personal statement reflecting the aforementioned qualities plays a significant role in the applicant's overall ranking and whether an interview may be required.

Start terms:
The Master’s degree program offers admission in the fall and spring terms.

Graduation Requirements:
Master’s degree students are conditionally admitted; following successful completion of core courses, faculty assess students’ suitability to advance to full admission. Once fully admitted to matriculate, students must:
  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA
  • Complete all coursework
  • Pass the Comprehensive Examination
  • Complete a Practicum and 2 Internships 
Program Description:
The American Counseling Association defines counseling as “…a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education and career goals.” Counselors can make a difference in the lives of others by improving health, careers and relationships. 

The Master of Arts in Counseling offers 5 counseling specialty options, including the following: 

Option: Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling

  • The Master of Arts in Counseling, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Option provides a common core of professional counseling competencies based on national standards, specialized studies and supervised experiences in the field of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling. The 48 credit degree leads to eligibility for the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LCADC) as courses have been approved by the Certification Board (NJ) for the LCADC. Depending on the student's background an additional 12 credits may be needed, so this should be discussed with an advisor.

Option: Clinical Mental Health Counseling

  • The Master of Arts in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Option is CACREP accredited. It provides education and training in professional counseling for work in a variety of settings including agencies, community organizations, mental health centers, hospitals, and private centers. The program provides comprehensive training involving the knowledge and skills required to work effectively as a professional counselor. Graduates will be immediately eligible to apply for the Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) credential and take the National Counselor Examination (NCE), if they have not already done so. Students will be able to work in community organizations, counseling and mental health centers, hospitals, private for-profit centers and counseling practices while working under supervision to complete the remaining portion of the 4,500 supervised clinical hours.
Option: College Counseling and Student Services

  • The Master of Arts in Counseling, College Counseling and Student Services Option (currently 48 credits moving to 60 credits in 2023), is CACREP accredited, and prepares graduates to work as College Counselors or Student Affairs Professionals in a variety of higher education settings. Students will receive: a common core of professional counseling competencies based on national standards, specialized studies, and 9 credits of supervised practicum and internships in college counseling, student development, or college student services.
Option: School Counseling
  • The Master of Arts in Counseling, School Counseling Option (currently 48 credits moving to 60 credits in 2023), is CACREP and CAEP accredited and approved by the New Jersey Department of Education. It is designed to provide education, training and state certification in School Counseling. The program provides comprehensive training in both elementary and secondary school counseling, including a supervised practicum and 2 internships in a school setting. 
Option: School Counseling and LPC Qualification
  • The Master of Arts in Counseling, School Counseling (CACREP accredited) with LPC Qualification Option (60 credits) will provide students with the course work required by the New Jersey Department of Education to qualify for a school counseling certificate for Pre-K-12 schools, as well as the coursework necessary for students to apply for the 60 credit Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) since they will not have the requisite number of supervised clinical hours. Graduates will be able to work in community organizations, counseling and mental health centers, hospitals, private for profit centers and counseling practices while working under supervision to complete the 4,500 supervised clinical hours. 
The post Master’s and certification options include the following:
  • Post Master’s (Non-Degree) Option: Licensed Professional Counseling is offered for professionals who do not meet the 60 credit requirement to enter the process of obtaining the NJ Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential.
  • Post Master’s Certification: Director of School Counseling is a NJ Department of Education Certification that permits the holder to lead School Counseling programs in in Pre-K-12 school districts after 3 years of experience as a School Counselor. 
  • Certification Program: Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC) is a NJ Department of Education Certification that permits the holder to serve in this position or to provide SAC services in Pre-K-12 school districts.

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