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.
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. 
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. 
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. 
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
“The program not only provided traditional education specific to mental health counseling, but also offered experiential opportunities throughout. These opportunities began in the classroom and then extended into Practicum at the CCRC and ultimately with Internship. The direct client experience allowed me to build foundational skills while growing in confidence as a counselor.”
Andrew Bekemeyer ’24MA
Owner, Bekemeyer Counseling
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
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.
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.
Contact Student Association of School Psychologists on Knight Connect
Christians as Helpers
For: Students in counseling, psychology, social work and nursing
Let your faith guide your calling. Through bi-weekly discussions and book studies, you’ll meet with students and faculty of all Christian denominations to explore ways to restore wholeness, sustain balance, honor differences and express your faith.
Counseling Skills Club
For: Counseling students
Hone your counseling techniques as a member of the Counseling Skills Club. Twice a semester, you’ll participate in faculty-led mock counseling sessions, where you can practice your skills, receive direct feedback and gain confidence as a counselor.
Counselors Advocating for Military Personnel (CAMP)
For: Counseling students
Improve your cultural competence in working with military members and their families. Every month, you’ll engage in training workshops, investigate best practices for counseling this population and build meaningful connections with community agencies.
G.U.R.U Talks
For: School counseling students
Established in 2018, G.U.R.U Talks is a mentoring program that pairs school counseling graduate students with practitioners in the community. Throughout the year, you’ll meet with your mentor to discuss the challenges and rewards of the profession, explore career opportunities, and advocate on behalf of school counselors and the students and families they serve.
H.E.A.R.T.
For: All students
Existing to serve the community, the HIV Education, Awareness and Research Team — or H.E.A.R.T — is a group of faculty and students committed to addressing the multiple and complex effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, both locally and nationally. As a member, you’ll partner with community organizations and stakeholders to address HIV/AIDS locally, educate the community on HIV and AIDS and their effects on both individuals and families, raise awareness about HIV prevention and treatment, pursue external funding, and conduct high-quality research that informs prevention methods and mental health interventions for people affected by HIV and AIDS.
Whether you’re just getting started or taking the next step in your counseling or school psychology career, building connections and staying current with the latest research and best practices is key to your success. Through membership in leading professional organizations, you’ll access to state and national conferences, networking opportunities and cutting-edge resources — helping you stay informed, inspired and connected. Students may also apply for funding to attend professional events.
Here are just a few:
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- American Association for Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists
- American Counseling Association
- American Mental health Counseling Association
- American School Counseling Association
- Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors
- Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development
- Florida Counseling Association
- Florida Association of School Psychologists
- International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors
- National Association of School Psychologists
“Those entering the counseling field do so out of a desire to positively impact others, be it in clinical settings, schools, or colleges and universities. At UCF, students gain a solid knowledge base that prepares their minds for the meaningful work ahead of them. But more than that, counselors also need practical experiences that prepare their hearts for the real-world work of working with struggling others. UCF counseling students engage in those real-world experiences through robust practicums and internships, building professional networks, and receiving a continuum of support to prepare for one of the world’s most rewarding careers. Graduates leave UCF not just career-ready but also motivated to make a positive impact on the hearts and minds of the people they serve.”
W. Bryce Hagedorn, Ph.D.
Counselor Education Program Director
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.