Western Illinois University - Quad Cities - Academics
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School Counseling
The School Counseling option prepares students for work as elementary and/or secondary school counselors in public and private schools.
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Clinical Mental Health Counseling
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling option prepares students for work as agency and private practice counselors.
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PACERS
PACERS is an intensive mentoring program designed to support at-risk students' personal, social, and academic success.
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Counselor Education
Welcome to the Department of Counselor Education - Western Illinois Quad Cities Campus
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Welcome
Welcome to the Department of Counselor Education! Thank you for your interest in our programs. Our Department offers a M.S.Ed. in Counseling with specializations in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC). We are very proud of the quality, integrity, and academic excellence our programs offer.
The mission of Western Illinois University's Department of Counselor Education is to prepare a socially responsible, diverse student, faculty and staff population to lead in the global society. The curriculum emphasizes applied and conceptual skills; affirms diversity of values, ideas, and persons; and promotes educational excellence and ethical commitment. Faculty provide a challenging and supportive environment that encourages personal growth and development. The Department is committed to recruiting and selecting students that are representative of our varied and pluralistic society.
The School Counseling Program prepares students for work as elementary and/or secondary school counselors in both public and private school settings. The Clinical Mental Health Program prepares students for work in a variety of clinical settings, including mental health centers, rehabilitation hospitals, recovery centers, private practice, university counseling centers, and employee assistance programs.
Our Counseling Programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and was the first counseling program accredited in the State of Illinois in 1987 (Note: The CMHC option is currently accredited under the 2001 standards for Community Counseling). The School Counseling Program is also accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
Faculty offer students excellence in scholarship across both specialty areas. The School Counseling faculty include Dr. Holly Nikels and Instructor Tiffany Stoner-Harris. The CMHC faculty include Drs. Leslie O’Ryan and Carrie Alexander-Albritton. Our faculty bring a wealth of experience from within school settings, private practice, residential chemical dependency centers, and non-profit community mental health centers. Additionally, we have a talented adjunct faculty pool of highly experienced community practitioners. Our students also have exciting opportunities to participate in several university-community partnerships, such as a mentoring project for at-risk youth in the Rock Island School District and the C.A.R.E.-Quad Cities Anti-Bullying Taskforce.
Again, welcome!
Dr. Rebecca Newgent, Chairperson
Department of Counselor Education
RA-Newgent@wiu.edu
OUR Programs
- M.S.Ed. in Counseling - School Counseling Program
- M.S.Ed. in Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
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"Counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals."
-20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling
Why Counselor Education? What Students have to Say.
Jamie C.
“The Counselor Education Department at Western Illinois University has allowed me to make connections; hone my craft; and, most importantly, become a better version of myself.”
Dail R.
“The Department of Counselor Education at Western Illinois University has afforded me the opportunity to explore my passion to help others, and develop a professional identity as a professional school counselor.”
