College of Education

Program Purpose

In accordance with the American Counseling Association’s consensus definition of counseling, the Counselor Education program prepares graduate students to establish and maintain professional relationships that empower diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, and career goals. In accordance with the ECU Mission Statement, the Counselor Education program: Utilizes innovative learning strategies, contemporary technology and multifaceted course delivery modalities to maximize access for a diverse student population; Provides curricular experiences designed to prepare counselors for successful professional practice in a global, culturally diverse society; Integrates leadership development opportunities and reflection on the importance of leadership for social justice throughout the curriculum and professional development opportunities provided to students; Encourages faculty-student research partnerships and scholarly pursuits in an effort to support the discovery of new knowledge and counseling innovations; Promotes wellness and works to reduce health disparities through education for counselors, local community partners, and the region; and, Promotes wellness and works to reduce health disparities through faculty research and the dissemination of scholarship.