Counseling psychology as a psychological specialty facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns. Through the integration of theory, research, and practice, and with a sensitivity to multicultural issues, this specialty encompasses a broad range of practices that help people improve their well-being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to live more highly functioning lives. Counseling psychology is unique in its attention both to normal developmental issues and to problems associated with physical, emotional, and mental disorders (APA, 1999).

Doctoral Program in Counseling and Student Personnel Services with a Focus in Counselor Education and Supervision (UGA Gwinnett Campus):

This doctoral degree has a focus on counselor education and is a part-time Ph.D. program geared towards professional school counselors, community and mental health counselors, and student affairs professionals. The doctoral program in Counseling and Student Personnel Services is grounded in values of social justice and multiculturalism and a focus on systemic change. Doctoral students enhance skills and content knowledge as a method of improving services and programming within their current positions as well as providing opportunities for professional advancement. This doctoral program is distinguished by the training foci in the following areas:

Doctoral Program in Counseling and Student Personnel Services with a Focus in College Student Affairs Administration (UGA Athens Campus):

The Counseling and Student Personnel Services Ph.D. program with a focus in College Student Affairs Administration (new name-pending University approval) (CSAA-D) at The University of Georgia is designed primarily to prepare individuals for practice and scholarship in one or more of the following areas.

The primary purpose of the College Student Affairs Administration preparation program is to aid graduate students in acquiring the skills and competencies necessary to apply human development, interpersonal facilitation, group leadership, assessment, and administrative principles to work with college students in higher education organizations. The specific focus of the program is on student development, which is concerned with students’ learning and personal growth while they are in college. Graduates work in such settings as college residence halls, student activities programs, career planning and placement centers, admissions offices, international student offices, minority student services, Greek life programs, community service programs, learning assistance centers, new student orientation, and academic advising centers.

The Ed.S. program in Professional School Counseling is designed for students who have a master’s degree in school counseling or a closely related field. This is an advanced graduate program within which students can enhance and extend the knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to the new vision for school counselor role and school counseling program development. Successful completion of this program results in recommendation for certification as a school counselor at the advanced level.

The Department of Counseling and Human Development Services in the College of Education offers a masters degree (M.Ed.) in Professional Counseling with two areas of specialization – Community Counseling and School Counseling.

The Recreation and Leisure Studies Program at the University of Georgia prepares students for positions in recreation, parks, and leisure services. Students will gain broad knowledge and skills in the areas of administration and management of recreation and leisure services. Programming techniques for people with a range of abilities are emphasized. Professional opportunities are ample, and the job placement success rate for students in the program is high. Students select their supportive coursework to better prepare them for management positions, outdoor recreation or inclusive programming positions in community settings. The major leads to careers in recreation program leadership or the administration and management of public, private, civic, and social agencies.