The Counselor Education graduate program at AUM’s College of Education offers a Master’s degree and an Education Specialist (EdS) in two specialty tracks: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.
Degrees and Certificates
School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling
College of Education
School Counseling | Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling | Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Master’s and Education Specialist (EdS) in School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling
These programs help students develop skills and theories that are applicable in career settings such as:
Counselor Education courses use a blend of technology and media to support candidates in a variety of learning environments. These courses are designed to help counselors provide specially designed interventions for their clients and to work with diverse populations. An internship is required.
For more detailed information, take a look at our Counseling Clinical Experiences Handbook and Counseling Student Handbook.
The AUM Master’s Program in Counselor Education is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Accreditation means that the accredited programs are recognized nationally as having met standards of the counseling profession.
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Programs & Plans of Study
School Counseling
Master's
A blend of in-person and online classes
Education Specialist (EdS)
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Master's
A blend of in-person and online classes
Education Specialist (EdS)
Program Survey & Comprehensive Assessment Plan
Counselor Education Survey
In order to evaluate and improve the counseling program of study, current and former students are surveyed during the spring semester each year. Students are asked to complete the Counselor Education Survey, and evaluate their training, professional development and involvement opportunities, and faculty-student mentoring. Current and former students are also asked for suggestions about improving the program. Finally, they list their employment, professional certifications and licensure, current professional membership and service and honors. Informal student input is also solicited from students periodically as needed.
The Comprehensive Assessment Plan for the Counselor Education Program
The Counseling Program at AUM engages in an array of data gathering activities to improve its program. Comprehensive Assessment Plan for the AUM Counselor Education Program at Auburn University at Montgomery addresses both the continuous systematic program evaluation processes as well as the assessment of student learning outcomes processes. The assessment plan is detailed at both the curricular experiences and overall program level in relation to assessing direct evidence of student learning.
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Counseling Faculty
Paul Hard
Department Chair | College of Education
Dr. Paul F. Hard, LPC-S, NCC is the Department Head of the Department of Counselor, Leadership, and Special Education. He is a past president of the Alabama Counseling Association (2005-2006) and former member of the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (2007-2011) and has over 31 years of experience in clinical mental health work. Dr. Hard is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and also holds advanced degrees in theology with 25 years of ecclesiastical experience.
Faculty’s Expertise: Ethics in Counseling, Licensure Regulation, Best Practice Issues, Supervision and Training, Multicultural Tssues, LGBTQ+ Issues in Therapy, Social Justice and Advocacy, Complicated Grieving, and Spirituality in Counseling
Ashley Brown
Assistant Professor | College of Education
Dr. Ashley B. Brown, a native of Montgomery, AL, earned a BA in Psychology, an M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Auburn University. She is an Associate Licensed Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. Her research interests include multiculturalism, emotional intelligence, leadership, and career exploration.
Faculty’s Expertise: Multiculturalism, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership, and Career Exploration
Eric Darch
Associate Professor | College of Education
Dr. Eric Darch has over 20 years of Title 1 public school experience serving as a teacher and school counselor within all grades PK-12. He is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Nationally Certified School Counselor (NCSC). His professional interests include: the role of the school counselor, children and adolescents, ethics in school counseling, translating research to practice in the school setting, behavior management, and multicultural and linguistically diverse students. He has several publications and has presented on these topics.
Faculty’s Expertise: School Counseling, Counselor Ethics, Children and Adolescents, Behavior Management
Yuh Guo
Associate Professor | College of Education
Dr. Yuh-Jen Guo has been a counselor educator since 2008. He graduated from Auburn University and have worked and taught in several states. He is a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist.
Faculty’s Expertise: Stress, Trauma, Crisis Counseling, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Counselor training, Clinical supervision
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Quick Facts
College of Education
At the AUM College of Education, you will have powerful learning experiences, working side by side with professors who have real-world experience.
Our academic departments include the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology, the Department of Kinesiology, and the Department of Counselor, Leadership and Special Education.
To help you pay for college, you might qualify for one of our scholarships.
Official Degree Name
- Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Master of Education in School Counseling
- Education Specialist in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Education Specialist in School Counseling
Modality
The Master’s degrees in counseling is an in-person program although many classes may be available in a hybrid, synchronous, or online format. Students in these courses enroll in a program to connect in a virtual and/or in-class environment to collaborate using a variety of technological and educational tools. Professors play an instrumental role in building relationships among teams and individuals in this setting.
The Education Specialist degree is an entirely online program. All course criteria for online programs is completed through online efforts. Be sure to check with your advisor if you have any questions regarding online studies.
