Roosevelt University Counseling Programs
Roosevelt University leads the nation in educating socially conscious citizens who become active leaders in their professions and communities. Students can choose from detailed counseling graduate programs that prepare them to become licensed clinical counselors and counselors in higher education. These programs focus on serving people in a variety of metropolitan areas.
The counseling programs at Roosevelt University line up with the national standards set by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Affiliated Educational Programs (CACREP). The university’s 80-year old tradition of social justice shines through these programs. Their steadfast dedication prepares counselors to work democratically with diverse students and families.
Roosevelt University offers multiple counseling paths that match different career goals, including several master’s programs. The Master’s in School Counseling program helps counselor candidates support children and adolescents’ learning and social-emotional needs in K-12 settings. The Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) teaches students to help both children and adults handle difficult life events and manage serious mental illnesses.
Roosevelt also offers a Master’s in Clinical Psychology with Counseling Practice. This program provides broad training in psychological assessment and intervention along with supporting theory and research. Students will find a program that matches their professional goals.
The university celebrates its diverse student body, with 47% of currently enrolled students being students of color. This diversity creates a rich learning environment where students learn from peers with different backgrounds and experiences.
The quality of Roosevelt’s counseling programs shows in their success rates. Every school counseling graduate passes the state and national exams needed for professional certification. On top of that, the CMHC program achieves job placement and licensure/certification examination pass rates over 90%.
Roosevelt University shows its care for student wellbeing through the Roosevelt University Counseling Center (RUCC). Students get confidential mental health services covered by tuition. The center provides therapy sessions, support groups, and round-the-clock access to specialized telehealth services.
Students head over to local counseling and community agencies for intensive internships. They apply classroom knowledge to ground situations, which prepares them for professional counseling practice’s complexities.
What counseling programs does Roosevelt University offer?
Roosevelt University has three unique counseling programs that shape different career paths in mental health. Each program delivers specialized training and reflects the university’s steadfast dedication to social justice and diverse communities.
The Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) equips you to help people handle tough life situations like physical illness, loss of loved ones, and relationship challenges. You’ll learn to diagnose and manage serious mental illnesses while connecting patients with resources and support. The program meets academic requirements for both professional counselor and clinical professional counselor licensure in Illinois. You can also qualify for national certification in mental health counseling (CCMHC) and national counselor certification (NCC).
Students passionate about educational settings will find the Master’s in School Counseling valuable. This program helps you support K-12 students’ learning and social-emotional needs. The intensive, field-based curriculum leads to an Illinois school counselor credential, with an option to pursue Illinois professional counselor licensure. Licensed teachers and recent college graduates from non-education backgrounds are welcome to apply.
The Master’s in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Practice opens a third path that centers on psychological assessment and intervention. This 60 credit-hour program qualifies you for professional counselor licensure (LPC and later LCPC) in Illinois and many other states. Research assistantships with faculty are encouraged, though there’s no thesis requirement. Many students use this program as a stepping stone to PsyD or PhD programs in clinical or counseling psychology.
These programs share a common structure: full-time, 3-year curricula with in-person classes at Chicago or Schaumburg campuses. The School Counseling and CMHC programs offer part-time options. Students can start the Clinical Psychology program in fall or spring, while other programs begin in fall only.
Students get hands-on experience at over 200 partner sites providing mental health services throughout the Chicago area. This practical experience enhances your classroom learning significantly.
Internships/Practicum at Roosevelt University
Experience is the substance of the Roosevelt University counseling program. Students get structured internships and practicum placements that connect theoretical knowledge with real-life applications to prepare them for professional practice.
Clinical experiences are mandatory components for Clinical Mental Health Counseling students. The internship requires at least 750 hours of professionally supervised training over two or more semesters. You will learn about client advocacy and mental health services firsthand during this time.
You must plan ahead and submit applications to the field placement coordinator one year before your desired placement. Early preparation will give a suitable site that arranges with your career goals. The Student Performance Reviews procedures in the student handbook come into play if concerns about your academic performance or interview skills arise during the application.
Roosevelt University partners with over 200 clinical settings across the Chicagoland area. Students can gain experience in:
- Hospitals and psychiatric facilities
- Community mental health and substance abuse centers
- Forensic settings and social service agencies
- Schools and private practices
These intensive internships take place in your final year. You can apply your classroom knowledge in professional settings. The time commitment makes full-time employment impossible during internship semesters. Students must enroll in PSYC 697Y to maintain registration if they don’t complete their internship within the registered semesters.
The clinical experience from these placements meets requirements for professional counselor and clinical professional counselor licenses in Illinois. In spite of that, licensing requirements differ by state, so you should check with the regulatory board where you plan to practice.
These internships help you build valuable skills and create networking opportunities that could lead to jobs after graduation. The university’s Career Development staff offers support throughout your internship journey.
What sets Roosevelt University apart?
Roosevelt University’s counseling program has several unique features that set it apart from other higher education institutions. The program shows remarkable results – job placement rates and licensure/certification examination pass rates both exceed 90%. School counseling graduates achieve even better with a perfect 100% pass rate on state and national exams.
Distinguished experts in various psychological specialties make up the university’s faculty. These professionals bring their experience to the classroom while many run active clinical practices in the community. Their expert guidance keeps your education current with the field’s latest practices.
Students can explore research through specialized initiatives like the Vulnerability, Acceptance, and Self-compassion Therapies (VAST) Lab. Lab members participate in bi-weekly discussions about SGM (Sexual and Gender Minority) health, wellness, and intersectional identities while developing their own research projects.
The Roosevelt Counseling Association promotes strong bonds between classmates and future colleagues as an active student organization. One graduate’s words capture this spirit: “At Roosevelt, I’m surrounded by a strong and consistent unit of support every day…I always have a community of encouragement and understanding”.
Roosevelt’s curriculum emphasizes social justice and diversity. The counseling programs prepare graduates to work democratically with diverse populations in metropolitan areas, showing the university’s dedication to serving varied communities. The curriculum lines up with national standards set by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Affiliated Educational Programs (CACREP). This ensures your degree meets recognized standards of excellence.
Next steps
Getting into Roosevelt University’s counseling program needs good planning. The School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs start only in fall. Students can join the Clinical Psychology with Counseling Practice program in fall or spring terms.
You’ll need to submit your graduate application through the Office of Admission’s online portal. The best time to apply for counseling programs is 6 to 12 months before your target semester. Most programs at Roosevelt University have rolling admissions with no fixed deadlines. Early planning will give you enough time to meet all requirements.
Your admission application must include:
- A completed online application
- Application fee (where applicable)
- Final and official transcripts showing your bachelor’s degree
- Any extra documents your specific program needs
The School Counseling program welcomes both licensed teachers and recent graduates from non-education fields. After graduation, you can pursue state licensure. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares you for Clinical Mental Health Counselor licensure and National Certified Counselor certification. School Counseling graduates can earn an Illinois Professional Educator License with School Counseling endorsement.
Former Roosevelt students who haven’t been enrolled for three consecutive semesters (excluding summer) need to submit a Readmission Application.