Fisher’s Mental Health Counseling Program Earns Reaccreditation

The Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling (MHC) program at St. John Fisher University has received reaccreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

CACREP accreditation provides recognition that the content and quality of the education students receive has been evaluated extensively and meets standards set by and for the profession. Fisher’s program met all the CACREP standards and received several commendations for its student-centered approach to training future leaders in the mental health field.

Housed in the Wegmans School of Nursing, the program prepares students to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor who can effectively treat adults and children with emotional, mental, and physical challenges. The program’s mission is to deliver culturally informed, personalized instruction that builds a student’s counseling knowledge and skills while also fostering the personal qualities and characteristics necessary to become an outstanding professional mental health counselor. This is the third time the program has been affirmed by CACREP; it was also given a full eight-years of accreditation in 2008 and 2016.

“Our curriculum is aligned to CACREP’s standards, which ensures students receive the highest quality education possible,” said Dr. Rob Rice, chair of the program. “We are proud to earn full reaccreditation, which is a testament to the dedication of our faculty, the academic achievements of our students, and professional accomplishments of our alumni.”

Students in the program explore counseling theories and strategies; psychopathology; treatment planning and intervention; and crisis and trauma counseling; among other topics. They take advantage of simulated training facilities that feature one-way mirrors, video cameras, video monitors, and live observation to hone their skills as clinicians. The six-room training lab includes rooms for individual counseling sessions, working with couples or groups, and a play therapy room for working with children. Additionally, students engage in clinical internships across the region.

Since the program’s inception, more than 475 graduates have gone onto work in a variety of settings, including community agencies, health clinics and hospitals, outpatient programs, residential treatment and rehabilitation clinics, private practice, and more.

“Reaccreditation by CACREP affirms the exceptional quality and integrity of our Mental Health Counseling program,” said Dr. Tricia Gatlin, dean of the Wegmans School of Nursing. “This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to preparing compassionate, culturally responsive clinicians who are equipped to meet the evolving mental health needs of our communities. I am incredibly proud of our faculty, students, and alumni whose dedication and excellence continue to elevate the program.”

CACREP accredits master’s and doctoral degree programs in counseling and its specialties that are offered by colleges and universities in the United States and throughout the world.