Welcome
Message from the Chair
Welcome to the Department of Counseling at Nova Southeastern University!
The M.S. in Counseling degree program in the Department of Counseling at NSU offers robust curriculum that prepares counseling professionals in their chosen concentration. Each concentration provides educational opportunities to enhance graduates’ eligibility for relevant licensure or certifications, as follows:
- Applied Behavior Analysis concentration is aligned with coursework and field experience eligibility requirements for Board Certified Behavior Analysts
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration (CACREP-accredited) offers coursework and field experiences aligned with requirements to pursue licensure as a professional counselor (i.e., LPC) or mental health counselor (i.e., LMHC)
- School Counseling concentration (CAEP-accredited and an ASCA-Recognized School Counselor Preparation Program) offers coursework and field experiences that are approved by the Florida Department of Education and aligned with eligibility requirements for certification as a school counselor in Florida.
- Substance Abuse Counseling concentrations enhance student eligibility for state and national certifications (i.e., MCAP in Florida)
Our programs are delivered by remarkable faculty whose clinical and research expertise illuminates their instruction in the classroom, as well as their supervision of field experiences. In the Department of Counseling, faculty and staff strive to provide students with optimal opportunities to grow into effective, thriving counseling professionals.
Competent counselors are greatly needed in our communities today. Students in the Department of Counseling develop competency by enhancing their self-awareness and practicing with multicultural competence, learning empirically-supported practices, and utilizing sound data to support their efforts in counseling practice. Students also gain an understanding of the uniqueness of the counseling professions and their roles in overarching healthcare, education, and social service systems.
The counseling profession is like no other – it is a great privilege to engage in professional relationships that empower diverse clients to reach their goals in the areas of mental health, recovery, education, career, relationships, and so on. I hope you join us!
Melanie M. Iarussi, Ph.D., LMHC, LPC-S, NCC
Chair / Associate Professor
Department of Counseling
NSU College of Psychology
(954) 262-5740