College of Allied Health Sciences


Clinical Counseling (MS) / APTS (G Cert)

Program Purpose


The Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling Program at East Carolina University serves students from North Carolina, the United States, and the world. The mission of the Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling program is to prepare qualified addictions and clinical counseling/clinical mental health professionals with competence in the following foundational components germane to these specialty areas. These include counseling, prevention, and interventions; assessment and diagnosis; diversity and advocacy; and research and evaluation.

This mission is accomplished by faculty working together in partnership with university colleagues, current and former students, and community agencies in the pursuit of excellence in addictions and clinical counselor education, supervision, practice, and research.


Learning Outcomes


Addictions Knowledge (SAC Cert)

Students in the Substance Abuse Counseling certificate program will be able to analyze contemporary issues in the addictions field.

Advocacy (SAC Cert)

Students in the Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate Program will be able to advocate for persons with substance abuse issues.

Assessment and Testing

MS Students will demonstrate use of assessments for diagnostic and intervention planning purposes. (CACREP 2.F.7.e)

Career Development

MS Students will use strategies for assessing abilities, interests, values, personality and other factors that contribute to career development. (CACREP 2.F.4.e)

Counseling and Helping Relationships

MS Students will demonstrate essential interviewing, counseling, and case conceptualization skills (CACREP 2.F.5.g)

Foundations/Contextual Dimensions/Practice: Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialty

MS, Clinical Counseling Students will demonstrate mastery of completing the intake interview, mental status evaluation, biopsychosocial history, mental health history, and psychological assessment for treatment planning and caseload management. (CACREP 5.C.3.a)

Group Counseling and Group Work

MS Students will understand therapeutic factors and how they contribute to group effectiveness. (CACREP 2.F.6.c)

Human Growth and Development

MS Students will demonstrate an understanding of the systemic and environmental factors that affect human development, functioning, and behavior. (CACREP 2.F.3.f)

Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice

MS Students will demonstrate understanding of ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling. (CACREP 2.F.1.i)

Research and Program Evaluation

MS Students understand identification of evidence-based counseling practices. (CACREP 2.F.8.b)

Social and Cultural Diversity

MS Students will demonstrate multicultural counseling competencies (CACREP 2.F.2.c)