School of Education
Formed when the two historically African American schools of Atlanta University and Clark College merged together in 1988, Clark Atlanta University is a comprehensive private institution located in the heart of downtown Atlanta. As the largest collection of black private higher education in the nation, CAU is one of just two black private universities that have earned the designation as a doctoral research university with high research activity by the prestigious Carnegie Foundation. In fact, the U.S. News and World Report survey currently ranks CAU as the 9th best historically black college in the nation. Within the School of Education, the Department of Counselor Education hosts the only counseling programs from a private HBCU that have received accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Community Counseling
The accredited Master of Arts in Community Counseling program aims to prepare graduate students for professional counseling roles in a variety of community settings, including mental health agencies, psychiatric health hospitals, juvenile justice agencies, substance abuse treatment facilities, and government mental health services. Following a planned curriculum that fulfills all the academic requirements for licensure in Georgia with a minimum of 51 credits, students take coursework in counseling couples and families, community mental health counseling, abnormal psychology, diagnostic systems, personality theories, group counseling, counseling diverse populations, group appraisal, and helping relationships skills. In addition to a required comprehensive examination and communication skills examination, students must successfully complete two community counseling internships in various relevant settings.
Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Counseling
Designed to prepare qualified professional counselors for employment in elementary, middle, and high schools, the M.A. in School Counseling program consists of a minimum of 51 credit hours of post-baccalaureate credits. Through the intensive curriculum, students are actively engaged in coursework covering topics in human growth, theories of counseling, career counseling, research methods, individual and group appraisal, counseling diverse populations, professional ethics, school consultation, psychology of exceptional children, personality theories, and organization of counseling services. For graduation, the School of Education requires that students successfully complete a written comprehensive examination and a communication skills exam. After completion, graduates fully qualify for initial certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission as a School Counselor.
Accreditations
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Contact Information
Rufus E. Clement Hall Room 323
223 James P. Brawley Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30314
(404) 880-8508
GraduateAdmissions@cau.edu