Undergraduate Minor in Counseling
Explore the dynamics of human behavior and unlock pathways to impactful change with a minor in counseling. Whether you’re aiming to deepen your understanding of personal growth or enhance your interpersonal skills, this program equips you with essential tools to support and inspire others.
Foundations in Well-Being
The undergraduate minor in counseling offers students a unique opportunity to explore the science of human relationships, emotional resilience and mental well-being. Through a blend of psychology, communication and self-awareness, this program enriches your academic journey and provides a strong foundation for careers in counseling, education, healthcare and social services. With courses that explore key topics in counseling theories and practices, you’ll gain insights into guiding others through challenges and fostering positive development. Embrace a minor that empowers you to make a meaningful difference—personally and professionally.
Why Minor in Counseling?
Students gain an awareness of the unique needs and challenges faced by individuals from diverse backgrounds, develop fundamental counseling skills essential for the helping professions and explore various career paths within this field. With a strong foundation in key theoretical models, you’ll build the knowledge and empathy needed to guide others toward growth and resilience. This minor equips you with the tools to become a compassionate, skilled professional ready to make a meaningful impact.
Program Overview
| Academic minor completed | Counseling |
|---|---|
| Credits required for completion | 18 |
| Time to completion | 2 to 3 semesters |
| Course delivery | On campus, online or hybrid |
You have the option to take one course as satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U grading).
Prerequisite Course (3 credits)
PSY 101 General Psychology
Course Sequence With Summer Sessions
Junior Summer Semester
- CEP 200 Introduction to Counseling Professions
Junior Fall Semester
- CEP 401 Introduction to Counseling
- Choose one from interventions:
CEP 202 Career Planning
CEP 410 Introduction to Grief and Loss
CEP 444 Introduction to Mindfulness Interventions
Junior Spring Semester
- CEP 412 Diversity and Human Relations
- Choose one from counseling areas:
CEP 400 Educational Psychology
CEP 404 Intro to the Rehabilitation of Substance Abuse/Addiction
CEP 440 Current Issues in School Psychology
CEP 441 Current Issues in Mental Health Counseling
CEP 442 Current Issues in School Counseling
CEP 443 Current Issues in Counseling Psychology
CEP 453 Current Issues in Rehabilitation Counseling
Senior Summer Semester
- Choose one from counseling areas:
CEP 400 Educational Psychology
CEP 404 Intro to the Rehabilitation of Substance Abuse/Addiction
CEP 440 Current Issues in School Psychology
CEP 441 Current Issues in Mental Health Counseling
CEP 442 Current Issues in School Counseling
CEP 443 Current Issues in Counseling Psychology
CEP 453 Current Issues in Rehabilitation Counseling
Course Sequence Without Summer Sessions
Junior Fall Semester
- CEP 200 Introduction to Counseling Professions
- Choose one from interventions:
CEP 202 Career Planning
CEP 410 Introduction to Grief and Loss
CEP 444 Introduction to Mindfulness Interventions
Junior Spring Semester
- CEP 401 Introduction to Counseling
- Choose one from counseling areas:
CEP 400 Educational Psychology
CEP 404 Intro to the Rehabilitation of Substance Abuse/Addiction
CEP 440 Current Issues in School Psychology
CEP 441 Current Issues in Mental Health Counseling
CEP 442 Current Issues in School Counseling
CEP 443 Current Issues in Counseling Psychology
CEP 453 Current Issues in Rehabilitation Counseling
Senior Fall Semester
- CEP 412 Diversity and Human Relations
- Choose one from counseling areas:
CEP 400 Educational Psychology
CEP 404 Intro to the Rehabilitation of Substance Abuse/Addiction
CEP 440 Current Issues in School Psychology
CEP 441 Current Issues in Mental Health Counseling
CEP 442 Current Issues in School Counseling
CEP 443 Current Issues in Counseling Psychology
CEP 453 Current Issues in Rehabilitation Counseling
Course Substitution
- Generally, course substitutions are not permitted.
- For transfer students who may have already successfully completed equivalent courses at other institutions, course substitutions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In order for the Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology (CSEP) to review requests for course substitutions, you must have been admitted to the counseling minor and must submit relevant course information to CSEP, such as the course syllabus and official transcript from the other institution.
- Course substitutions will not be permitted for current University at Buffalo students who wish to concurrently complete courses at other institutions.
- Students should expect that decisions regarding course substitutions will be rendered in no less than 30 days from the date that CSEP receives the request and all relevant course information.
Admission to this minor, continued enrollment in this minor, and/or conferral of the minor as part of the undergraduate degree may not be approved if you demonstrate a lack of professionalism expected of those who are preparing to enter the counseling profession.
When to Apply
We strongly recommended that you apply for this minor two years prior to graduating (end of sophomore spring semester), as long as you meet the requirements below. This will allow you to complete the required courses in time for graduating. There is a risk of not being able to complete the required coursework if you apply later than this recommended time.
Students in the counseling minor will be given priority to seats in the classes needed for the minor.
- As a UB student, you must have an overall UB GPA of at least 2.5. As a transfer student, your GPA must include at least one semester of UB courses as a full-time, matriculated student.
- You must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours at the time of application, with at least 12 credits from UB.
- All prerequisite courses should be completed or in-progress when you apply for this minor.
- We strongly recommend you apply two years prior to graduating as long as you meet the requirements.
Application Process:
- Complete the online application and submit it electronically.
- The department reviews your application and makes a determination regarding admission.
- The department notifies you of the admission decision by email.
Enrollment and Conferral: Enrollment in this minor will be verified via email from the department. In order to include this minor as part of your undergraduate degree, you:
- Must have been admitted to this minor prior to your application for degree.
- Must include this minor in your application for degree (for questions regarding the application for degree, you should consult your undergraduate advisor).
- Must successfully meet the requirements of this minor, which includes successful completion (grade of C or better) of the required and elective courses.
Minoring in counseling prepares you for a future career in:
- counseling psychology
- counselor education
- educational psychology
- mental health counseling
- rehabilitation counseling
- school counseling
- school psychology