Department of Psychology

Department Chairperson: Dr. Alesia Richardson

Counseling Program Director: Shirlyn Garrett-Wilson

Graduate Faculty: Dena High-Rogers, Shirlyn Garrett-Wilson, Karen McCurtis-Witherspoon

The Counseling Graduate Program in the Department of Psychology offers graduate study leading to a Master of Arts degree in Counseling. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to both counseling programs of Chicago State University: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) and School Counseling (MA).

The Counseling Graduate Program is designed to train students as counselors so they can work in a variety of settings with an emphasis on working with urban youth and their families. It is also designed as a predoctoral study program in counselor education and supervision, counseling, or counseling psychology. Graduates of the School Track are eligible to work as counselors in school settings. Graduates of the Clinical Mental Health Track are eligible to work as counselors in a variety of community settings. Both programs currently qualify students to sit for examinations for National Certified Counselor (NCC). The Clinical Mental Health and School Tracks currently qualify students for Illinois Licensure for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). The requirements for these examinations are subject to change, and additional requirements may be added. Completion of the master’s degree program in counseling (School Track) qualifies students for a Professional Educator License (PEL) with endorsement as a School Counselor. School Counseling Licensure requires the successful completion of the Illinois School Counselor Content-Area Test. Students with a master’s degree in counseling or a related field who want only an endorsement and licensure in school counseling must satisfy all the requirements of the school counseling degree. The Endorsement in School Counseling Certificate Program has 42 hours of prerequisites and 18 hours of additional required course work (totaling 60 hours). More information about the program can be obtained in the Chicago State University Master of Arts in Counseling Student Handbook.