CESP Student Experience

Go Farther, Together

The helping professions are all about people. The ones you serve in times of need, yes, but also the ones you rely upon for support, mentorship and inspiration. They’re your community, your family, your people. And at UCF, we make it easy for you to find all three.

During your clinical experiences, you’ll work alongside faculty, fellow students and credentialed professionals who will help you navigate your chosen field — and set you up for success.

You’ll have the opportunity to network, present at conferences and advance your profession by joining any number of our student organizations, special interest groups and professional associations.

And if you’re pursuing one of our many counseling degrees, you’ll also meet top practitioners from around the region, state, nation and world who come to campus to share and discuss best practices and the latest challenges during our annual UCF Counseling Conference.

Because at UCF, we know that if we want to go far, we must go together.

Clinical Experiences

Through experiential learning opportunities — in clinics, hospitals, schools and community organizations — you’ll graduate with the real-world experience and requirements to earn your credentials. Most students fulfill their practica requirements through the UCF Community Counseling and Research Center, where you’ll gain the confidence to pursue internships off-campus directly through one of our many community partners, including Aspire Health Partners, Grace Medical Home, Orange and Seminole County Public Schools and Orlando Health.

Community Counseling & Research Center

A one-of-its-kind in the state of Florida counseling and training facility, the UCF Community Counseling and Research Center (CCRC) is a state-of-the-art educational clinic located on the UCF campus. Its purpose is twofold. To provide free clinical services to individuals, couples, and families in the Central Florida community. And to provide you with real-world clinical practica experience and real-time feedback from our expert faculty and doctoral students.

The results speak for themselves: up to 1,800 local clients get access to free treatment annually and nearly 90 graduate students every year receive the critical feedback and supervision to serve clients in public agencies, private practices and schools with confidence.

UCF Marriage and Family  Research Institute

At UCF’s Marriage and Family Research Institute (MFRI), you’ll not only have the opportunity to conduct rigorous research and data analysis that contribute to the world’s understanding of relationships and clinical treatment.

You get to put it to practice while serving clients and participating in community outreach. That includes providing couples and individuals with free services and tools related to relationship and workplace education, so they’re best prepared to tackle conflict, unexpected events and daily stressors.

Aspire Health Partners

Florida's largest behavioral health nonprofit, Aspire Health Partners has 27 clinics across Central Florida. They've partnered with us to bolster the workforce in the region, which means you have access to paid internship opportunities, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration and the UCF Counselor Education program.

As a student in our Clinical Mental Health Counseling or our Marriage, Couples and Family Therapy graduates programs, you can earn a $10,000 stipend per year through the UCF-Aspire Behavioral Health Internship Programs. As part of the program, you'll train in one of Aspire's behavioral health treatment sites, working either with individuals across the lifespan in high-need, high-demand areas or with individuals addressing opioid and substance use disorders.

Undergraduate students in our Human Services minor can receive up to $8,000 in funding through the UCF-Aspire Recovery Support Specialist Training and Internship Program. You'll have the opportunity to receive training at one of the organization's residential substance use treatment facilities, working side-by-side with clinical staff to provide recovery support.

Supervised Internships

Your internship experiences will vary based on your degree, but the thing that remains consistent for all students is the guidance, experience and feedback you’ll receive from qualified, working professionals. You can choose to pursue your internships through any qualifying organization, or through one of our many local partners, including:

Behavioral Health Organizations

Department of Veterans Affairs
Grace Medical Home
Orlando Health

School Systems

Brevard County Public Schools
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Lake County Public Schools
Orange County Public Schools
Osceola County Public Schools
Polk County Public Schools
Seminole County Public Schools
Volusia County Public Schools

Organizations, Groups and Associations

The Department of Counselor Education and School Psychology offers students opportunities for networking, career development and community through student organizations, special interest groups and professional associations. You can join one or several — to connect with like-minded peers, present at conferences and explore job opportunities.

Student Organizations

Student organizations are a great way to explore your interests, network with pros from the field, participate in community service and meet new people who share your passion for legal studies. Make the most of your time and explore organizations that speak to your goals.

Chi Sigma Iota – Upsilon Chi Chapter
For: Counseling students
The international honor society for counseling students, Chi Sigma Iota promotes scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership, advocacy and excellence in counseling. Through our campus chapter, you can participate in monthly meetings, community outreach, social gatherings, mentoring programs, awards ceremonies and seminars — and apply for national membership.

Apply for UCF Chapter Membership

Counselor Education Doctoral Student Organization
For: Doctoral students
Since 2008, the Counselor Education Doctoral Student Organization (CEDSO) has bolstered scholarship, teaching and service opportunities for students. As a member, you’ll be partnered with a mentor, have opportunities to collaborate, and apply for funding to attend the ACES or SACES conference every fall.

Join the CEDSO Facebook Group

Student Association of School Psychologists
For: School psychology students
Connect with fellow graduate students in school psychology to network, pursue professional development opportunities and serve local communities.

Ready to get started? Contact Student Association of School Psychologists on Knight Connect.

Special Interest Groups

Christians as Helpers
For: Students in counseling, psychology, social work and nursing
Christians as Helpers (CAH) provides a forum for students and faculty from the areas of Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, and Nursing to share their common desire to integrate their faith with their clinical practice. CAH meets bi-weekly for discussion and books studies on such topics as spiritual formation, honoring and navigating differences, and exploring ways to restore and sustain wholeness and balance. CAH does not promote one Christian denomination/tradition over another: each member is encouraged to express their faith in his/her own way.

For more information about CAH, please contact Dr. W. Bryce Hagedorn.

Counseling Skills Club
For: Counseling students
The focus of the Counseling Skills Club is to provide a friendly, non-evaluative, and supportive environment for students who are interested in developing and/or enhancing their core counseling techniques. Typical attendees include students currently enrolled in Techniques, Practicum, and Internship, but all students are welcome. The club meets twice a semester, is facilitated by a faculty member and several doctoral students, and typically begins with a faculty member conducting a mock session followed by an extensive process time. Additionally, students have the opportunity to practice their skills with one another and receive direct feedback from a doctoral student. Ultimately, the aim of the Counseling Skills Club is to help students to feel more comfortable wearing their “counselor hat.”

For more information about the Counseling Skills Club, keep your eyes open for emailed announcements.

Counselors Advocating for Military Personnel (CAMP)
For: Counseling students
Counselors Advocating for Military Personnel (CAMP) is for students who are (a) looking to improve their cultural competence with military members and their families, (b) investigating sound research for the best practices in counseling this population, and (c) building connections with community agencies who serve military members and their families. CAMP meets monthly and engages in trainings (e.g., Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, TF-CBT, and Understanding Military Culture) and explores service opportunities.

For more information about CAMP, please contact Dr. W. Bryce Hagedorn.

G.U.R.U. Talks (Guide-Unite-Relate-Uncover)
For: School counseling students
The UCF G.U.R.U. Talks mentoring program was established in spring, 2018 as a way to connect UCF School Counseling Track students early in their graduate program with practicing school counselors in our Central Florida community. G.U.R.U. Talks is a casual forum where professionals in the field and students meet throughout the year to freely discuss and examine topics that impact the school counseling profession. The mission of G.U.R.U. Talks is to: (G) GUIDE the next generation of school counselors by, (U) UNITING practicing school counselors with counselors in training to, (R) RELATE to the challenges and rewards of the profession, and (U) UNCOVER ways to advocate on behalf of school counselors and the students and families they serve. G.U.R.U. Talks are scheduled once each fall, spring and summer semesters.

For more information about G.U.R.U. Talks, please contact Dr. Stacy M. Van Horn.

H.E.A.R.T. (HIV Education, Awareness, and Research Team)
For: All students
The HIV Education, Awareness, and Research Team (HEART) is a collaboration of faculty and students at the University of Central Florida who are dedicated to addressing the multiple and complex effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, both locally and nationally. HEART exists to serve the community by (a) partnering with community organizations and stakeholders to address HIV/AIDS locally; (b) providing educational opportunities focused on HIV and AIDS and their medical, mental health, and social effects on individuals and families; (c) raising awareness about HIV prevention and treatment within the UCF community and in Central Florida; and (c) seeking and acquiring external funding and conducting high-quality research that informs prevention methods and mental health interventions for individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS.

For more information about H.E.A.R.T, please contact Dr. Richelle Joe.

Professional Associations

UCF Counseling Conference

The annual UCF Counseling Conference is your chance to gain relevant professional development through inspiring, empowering sessions — and to network with counseling practitioners, therapists, social workers, psychologists and other helping professionals from around the state, nation and world. Presentations and themes change from year to year, allowing practitioners, graduate students and faculty to present on and learn about the most pressing topics and issues in the industry.

Clinical Experiences

Organizations, Groups and Associations

Student Organizations

UCF Counseling Conference

Study Abroad

Resources