School of Ed CCD

The Counseling and Career Development (CCD) Master of Arts integrates academics, research, and engagement to prepare ethical and culturally-responsive counselors who enhance and advocate for all people's mental health, well-being, and life quality. The CCD program offers three specializations accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP): career counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and school counseling.

In this degree program, students experience relevant intrapersonal, interpersonal, and technology-rich learning experiences. All graduates of the CCD program complete:

  • 48-credit-hour core curriculum
  • 12-credit-hour specialization curriculum
  • 100-hour clinical practicum
  • 600-hour internship in a setting appropriate for their specialization

All three specializations in the CCD program meet the educational requirements to pursue professional counseling licensure in the State of Colorado. In addition, the School Counseling specialization meets the educational requirements to pursue school counseling licensure/endorsement in Colorado. However, licensure requirements in other states and US territories may differ. 

Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.

Specializations

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Advocate on behalf of clients and the counseling profession in a way that embraces and advances equity, diversity and inclusion.
  2. Examine, integrate and apply career and personal college knowledge and practices in a holistic manner to effectively encourage and facilitate meaningful life design.
  3. Conceptualize clients, client issues, and counseling interventions through a firm theoretical foundation.
  4. Establish quality therapeutic relationships with clients, and utilize appropriate counseling processes to foster maximal client wellness.
  5. Effectively identify, competently implement, and critically evaluate prevailing and emerging counseling interventions that generate and inform evidence-based practice.
  6. Critically examine, evaluate, and utilize their core values as they relate to the practice of professional ethics; understand and apply ethical principles, virtues, and standards of practice; and competently implement ethical decision-making models.
  7. Demonstrate (through professional practice and involvement) how their ethical self, knowledge of counseling theories and practice, and commitment to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion compromise their identity as a master's level counselor.
  8. Engage in meaningful self-reflection and care that leads to enhanced professional practice and improved client outcomes.