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Now Designated as a Fully Accredited (CACREP) Graduate Program

Gannon University’s master’s degree program in Community Counseling has been designated as a fully accredited graduate program. The Master of Science (M.S.) in Community Counseling is a 60-credit hour program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP is the professional accrediting body in the field of counselor education. CACREP promotes the professional competence of counseling and related practitioners through preparation standards, excellence in program development, and accreditation of professional preparation programs. The two-year accreditation was awarded by the Board of Directors for CACREP. In a letter to the University from the board, the decision to accredit the program was based on several factors, including a review of Gannon’s self-study report on the program, a site-team report, and the University’s response to the site-team report.

About the Program

Gannon University offers the Master of Science in Community Counseling. All students complete a minimum of 60 semester hours for the degree.

The program is designed to prepare individuals for careers in a variety of professional counseling settings such as community mental health, human service agencies, college and university counseling, and residential treatment.

The curriculum offers a blend of counselor training designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to become a professional counselor. The program prepares graduates to pursue certification as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Unique Aspects of the Program

• The majority of students are full-time working professionals who bring a variety of experiences to the program.

• Students complete a generalist practitioner curriculum and can also develop additional specializations through structured internship experience.

• Students will have the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge and counseling skills particularly in areas of counseling children and adolescents, counseling and spirituality, wellness, advanced counseling theories and techniques.

• The full-time faculty and most adjunct faculty are credentialed as licensed Professional Counselors, Nationally Certified Counselors, and have years of professional counseling experience. The program provides a counselor education experience which emphasizes an identity and competent practice as a professional counselor in accordance with the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors.

• This program is founded upon a generalist practitioner foundation of professional counseling. As such, it is estimated that students can complete the program in approximately 8 semesters (3 years).