School of Psychology and Counseling
Caldwell’s graduate programs in Counseling are located in the School of Psychology and Counseling. Each specialization prepares students to work effectively in a variety of settings as clinical mental health counselors, school counselors, and art therapists. Caldwell’s graduate programs in Counseling prepare students to work effectively in a variety of settings as clinical mental health counselors, school counselors, and art therapists. The three areas share a number of core courses and provide specialized education in their unique focused areas as well. A central component of Caldwell University’s programs is the integration of spirituality, enabling students to incorporate this important dimension in concert with conventional practices.
All three of Caldwell University’s Graduate Programs in Counseling have received accreditation from The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).
Program Objectives:
In the spirit of the Mission stated above, the Graduate Programs in Counseling seek to achieve the following objectives. Upon completion of these Master’s Programs, graduates shall demonstrate their competence in the following ways. They will:
- Accurately interpret and apply accepted evidence-based counseling approaches and counseling theory in response to typical and atypical client needs, with particular attention to the Cognitive-Behavior theories and their accepted strategies and techniques.
- Identify and practice with competence the varied roles and helping skills of counselors in school and mental health settings.
- Utilize theoretical understanding of the cognitive, social, emotional, spiritual, and biological principles related to human development and behavior in assessment of and counseling individuals at various life stages.
- Demonstrate competence in and an understanding of the theoretical foundations for identifying and assisting the career development and decision-making of clients in mental health settings and schools.
- Utilize students’ study and experience in applying theories in group dynamics in working with various group modalities toward achieving group and client goals.
- Accurately utilize standardized and appropriate instruments and techniques for identifying client needs and treatment planning.
- Exhibit awareness of the needs, challenges faced by culturally different clients due to their history, experience, and cultural mores toward appropriate counseling response.
- Show competence in interpreting, as well as designing and conducting research related to counseling concerns.
- Perform in-class and in-field assignments and activities with demonstrated skill and awareness and explicit knowledge of the standards of ethical practice in preparation for entry into the counseling profession.
CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIZATION
Coordinator: Dr. Emma Kendrick
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- Employment of mental health counselors is projected to grow 20 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.
- Job prospects are expected to be good for mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists, particularly in rural areas or other communities that are under served by mental health practitioners.
- In addition, the number of military veterans needing and seeking mental health treatment is expected to increase over the next decade. The federal government, community clinics, and local hospitals will need to expand their mental health counseling staff to provide timely and effective treatment for veterans and active duty personnel.
- The federal health care reform requires insurance plans to cover treatment for mental health issues in the same way as other chronic diseases. This will give more people access to mental health care as a result.
Professional Organizations:
SCHOOL COUNSELING SPECIALIZATION
Coordinator: Dr. Emma Kendrick
According to the American School Counselor Association:
Professional school counselors are certified/licensed educators with a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling making them uniquely qualified to address all students’ academic, personal/social and career development needs by designing, implementing, evaluating and enhancing a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success.
Professional Organizations:
- New Jersey School Counseling Association (NJSCA)
- American School Counseling Association (ASCA)
- Chi Sigma Iota (CSI)
Graduate Counseling Programs
- M.A. in Counseling
- Combined Degree Programs: B.A. in Psychology/M.A. in Counseling
- Post-Graduate M.A. in Art Therapy
- Post-Master Director of School Counseling Services Program
- Post-Master Professional Counselor Licensing Program
- Post-Master School Counseling Specialization
Core Faculty:
- Dr. Thomson Ling
- Dr. Emma Kendrick
- Dr. Stacey Solomon
- Dr. Andrew Plath
CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING WITH ART THERAPY SPECIALIZATION
Coordinator: Dr. Annette Vaccaro
According to the American Art Therapy Association:
Art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It is based on the belief that creative process involved in artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight. At Caldwell, art therapy is practiced within the counseling model.
This is the first CACREP accredited program of this type in the nation.
Professional Organizations:
- New Jersey Art Therapy Association (NJATA)
- American Art Therapy Association (AATA)
- Chi Sigma Iota (CSI)
Caldwell University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4598. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Caldwell University is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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