The Professional Counseling programs at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) are designed to prepare students for students for work in a variety of human service and community agencies assisting individuals with emotional, mental, social and physical challenges. Employment opportunities exist in numerous settings including human service agencies, community mental health centers, alcohol and drug clinics, the state-federal Bureau of Rehabilitation, private rehabilitation agencies, rehabilitation hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, insurance companies, and correctional institutions. Students are taught theories and techniques of practice in individual and group counseling modalities. They also learn about the special problems and concerns of people with a wide variety of physical and mental challenge s and other socially stigmatizing conditions.

The philosophy of the program is that a student must integrate theories and techniques as tools for enhancing one's effectiveness as an agent of intervention and change. The program does so by interweaving theory and practice throughout the duration of the training process via graduated practical experiences while studying theory. Thus, through the process of study and practice, the student has an opportunity to incorporate a wide array of learning gradually and comprehensively. The end product of such training is a Professional Counselor who is well-grounded in theory, and who has had the nurturing through an on-going training and supervisory process to use him- or herself effectively, professionally, and ethically as an agent of change at a variety of levels. The Professional Counseling program provides the academic background necessary for students to pursue professional licensing and a variety of advanced certifications in professional counseling.