Introduction

An exciting and fast-growing career within the mental health profession today is that of the professional counselor. The professional counselor has seen phenomenal growth and has had remarkable accomplishments in the past decade. The Mental Health Counseling Program at Emporia State University offers flexibility in preparing professional counselors for a variety of ever-changing careers in the mental health profession.

The Mental Health Counseling Program is at the forefront of meeting the future challenges in the mental health profession. Today's emphasis for mental health counselors is in private practice counseling, with a need for certification, licensure, and third-party reimbursement. Specific careers are in the areas of substance abuse, crisis intervention, marriage and family, children and adolescents, older adults, religious, employment, employee assistance, and career counseling - privately or within agencies.

Professional Identity

The program prepares professional counselors who qualify for membership in the American Mental Health Counselors's Association, a division of the American Counseling Association, and the nation's primary professional mental health counseling association. A degree in mental health counseling provides an identity for mental health counselors as they work with other human service providers in agencies, group homes, businesses, hospitals, and private practice.

Accreditation

The curriculum is designed to meet national preparation standards. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the Higher Learning Commission, the regional accrediting body.

Faculty

Mental Health Counseling faculty have earned doctorates and special areas of expertise. The excellence and commitment of the faculty, and of qualified part-time faculty, are reflected in their success as practitioners, scholars, consultants, and teachers.

Licensure and Certification

The Mental Health Counseling Program meets Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor requirements of the state of Kansas and national certifying boards. Although other states' requirements vary, most are patterned after a national board.

The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) was established to promotee professional credentialing standards for counselors. Eligibility for NBCC certification consists of graduating from this CACREP accredited Mental Health Counseling Program and passing the National Counselor Exam (NCE)

Licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Kansas requires a master's degree with at least 60 semester hours in the specified areas and are required to have passed the NCE.

Last Updated April 30, 2007