Welcome to the Department of Counseling!
Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals to accomplish their goals.
We are proud to offer two CACREP-Accredited master’s degrees that meet the educational requirements for graduates to address mental health as professional counselors. The counseling programs provide the training required for graduates to become Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associates or Professional School Counselors in the state of North Carolina. The Department of Counseling offers part-time/full-time programs in Pembroke and a full-time program in Wilmington. While earning a Master of Arts in Education, students in the UNCP Department of Counseling complete 60 credit hours, 700 hours of field placement, and a comprehensive exam in preparation for licensure exams.
Our program is hybrid, which means our classes meet at least 50% in person on campus, and the rest of the time we meet online.
Program Mission
The Mission of the Department of Counseling is to improve the mental health and well-being of individuals across the region and beyond through innovative, interdisciplinary, and effective research, service, and teaching that prepares culturally-responsive clinical mental health counselors and professional school counselors.
Program Objectives
- Demonstrate knowledge in the core areas of professional counseling for the purposes of conceptualizing the self, the counselor, and diverse clients. Students will analyze major psychological concepts, theoretical perspectives, evidence-based practices, and historical trends in counseling, including those associated with the following common core areas.
- Develop specialized knowledge and skills in either professional school counseling or clinical mental health counseling and apply this knowledge and skills to professional practice.
- Provide evidence of ongoing and progressive commitment to personal and professional growth, self-reflection, and self-evaluation.
The Department of Counseling is now accepting applications for 2025 Summer/Fall. Application review begins February 1.
