The Mission of Central Washington University's Counseling Programs

School Counseling

The mission of the CWU School Counseling Program is to prepare candidates to work as school counselors using knowledge of individual and systemic interventions in order to deliver a comprehensive school counseling program to all students.

The vision of our program is to prepare professional counselors to work in elementary, middle, and high schools in a diverse, complex society. Graduates will receive a counseling foundation that emphasizes the theory and practice of comprehensive school guidance, professional identity, multicultural and advocacy competencies, skills for counseling children and adolescents, and the role of school counselors. Clarity regarding appropriate roles for school counselors, awareness of school culture, and experience with technology are ingrained into many classes. Graduates will understand the importance of (1) professional standards, (2) collaborating with parents and other school officials, (3) lifelong learning for themselves, and (4) professional literature and professional organizations.

Mental Health Counseling

Our vision is to teach and research from a sound knowledge base; affirm diversity of ideas, values and persons; uphold the highest of ethical principles in professional conduct; and maintain partnerships with institutions and communities within the region. We strongly advocate participation in state and national counseling organizations, and adhere to the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Program Objectives. Classes and experiences in the program provide knowledge, skills, and competencies which will allow graduates to:

1. Enhance their professional identity as a mental health counselor.
2. Appreciate that advances in knowledge, skills and technology within the profession require life long continuing education for counselors as well as monitoring and review of professional standards.
3. View human behavior, problems, and concerns from a perspective of human growth and development.
4. Utilize career assessment techniques and theoretically based approaches to career counseling and guidance.
5. Develop Mental Health Counseling expertise through supervised practica training in a clinical setting and a 600-hour full-time internship.
6. Utilize principles of group dynamics and group facilitation skills through coursework, practica, and opportunities to participate in group experiences as a group member.
7. Use measurement and evaluation procedures appropriate to the counseling profession.
8. Use research and program evaluation to guide and evaluate their counseling practice.
9. Work in a full range of Mental Health Counseling services that involve psychotherapy, human development, learning theory, and group dynamics to help individuals, couples, families, adolescents, and children. This program prepares graduates to practice in a variety of settings, including independent practice, community agencies and outreach programs, managed behavioral health care organizations, hospitals, and employee assistance programs.
10. Be knowledgeable, ethical, and skilled in their selected fields; flexible and comprehensive in their approach; adaptable to the needs of the people they serve; and effective in meeting those needs.