Counselor Education

 

Counselor Education Office 
1160 McDermott Dr., Suite 102
West Chester, PA 19383
Call: (610) 436–2559 x2550
Fax: (610) 425–7432
smarvil@wcupa.edu


CACREP Logo

The Department of Counselor Education offers two CACREP accredited programs: M.Ed. in School Counseling and an M.S. in Higher Education/Student Affairs Counseling.  Students completing the School Counseling program can choose from the following certification options: Elementary, Secondary, or Dual certification. Our programs provide excellent preparation for a career as a counseling professional. We welcome your interest in the profession of counseling and our programs and hope that this website will answer many of your questions.  If you are interested in applying to the program or have questions please feel free to contact our Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Eric Owens, at eowens@wcupa.edu.


Department's Mission Statement

 

The mission of the department of Counselor Education is embedded within, and thus reflects the Mission and Vision of West Chester University and the College of Education. Specifically, the Counselor Education programs emphasize the development of the counselor as advocates for diversity and the mission of academic success for all students in educational systems. Counselors, through reflective practice and knowledge of the research and best practice, know their clients and plan and execute effective, ethical intervention and prevention programs and services. The department emphasizes a tripartite model of student-self-development: self as helper, self in relationship to others, and as life-long learner and developing professional. The diverse population served by the program, which includes recent undergraduates as well as returning professional counselors and teachers, creates a rich context to blend theory with practice. All programs recognize the importance of the blending of experiential/applied learning with a solid understanding of theory and research in the creation of remediation, prevention, and developmental forms of service delivery.

Accreditation

West Chester University’s Department of Counselor Education programs in School Counseling and Higher Education / Student Affairs Counseling have been accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). CACREP promotes excellence in the professional preparation of master’s level counseling practitioners. Programs receiving CACREP accreditation engage in ongoing self- study and peer-review, thus demonstrating a commitment to high admissions, academic and fieldwork standards and best practices in counselor preparation. Benefits enjoyed by students who attend accredited programs include:

  • Assurance of the quality of your academic program.
  • Research shows CACREP graduates perform better on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE).
  • Streamlines the licensure application process.
  • Eligibility to become a National Certified Counselor upon graduation and successful completion of the National Counselor Exam (NCE).
  • CACREP programs have been reviewed against professionally approved standards.

The Department offers two counselor education degree programs and a post-masters certificate:

The Counselor Education program and all its courses are taught at the Graduate Business Center located four miles from main campus. Please see the link below for directions.

Directions to the Graduate Business Center