Western Connecticut State University

What you'll study

Coursework follows CACREP-aligned goals and learning objectives covering professional identity, ethics, multicultural competence, lifespan development, career development, counseling practice, group work, and assessment. Required and key courses and activities listed in the program materials include:

• Skills and clinical lab courses: EPY 501, EPY 507, EPY 508, EPY 603 (these have an in-person component requiring three Saturdays per semester for a total of six Saturdays across the program)
• Professional orientation and ethics: EPY 585 and EPY 618
• Career development: EPY 572
• Assessment and diagnostics: EPY 600
• Practicum and internship sequence: EPY 610–615 (Practicum & Internship Evaluations are key assessments)
• Key student assessments include a Professional Identity Project, Developmental Reflection Project, Individual Counseling Project, Group Counseling Proposal Project, Assessment Project, Career Advisement Session, Case Conceptualization Project, Fitness to Practice reviews, and the Counselor Education Exit Exam (CEE)

Entry requirements

The official catalog text provides program structure, cohort operation, and that candidates meet with the coordinator to develop a Plan of Study, but does not list specific admission criteria or prerequisites. Prospective applicants should contact the program coordinator to confirm admission requirements and application procedures.

Career prospects

The Clinical Mental Health concentration meets Connecticut Department of Public Health educational requirements for initial licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) and meets New York State requirements for a Limited Permit Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC). The School Counseling concentration meets Connecticut school counselor certification requirements; candidates seeking New York State school certification must complete three NYSED workshops (DASA, Child Abuse Identification & Reporting, School Violence Prevention and Intervention), complete one K–8 and one 9–12 internship, and sit for NY certification examination. Students planning licensure or certification in other states are advised to consult the program coordinator about state-specific educational requirements before beginning the program.

Scholarships & funding angle

The catalog entry does not specify scholarships or funding sources. Applicants should explore general university graduate funding opportunities, assistantships, external scholarships for counseling students, and any grant-related positions (for example, program materials reference a university assistant for an HRSA grant) and contact the department for guidance on available financial support.