The Counseling and Educational Psychology Department, at Eastern Kentucky University serves students of the Commonwealth as a provider of research, service, and educational opportunities and experiences. The unit is dedicated to the preparation of counselors who function effectively in a culturally diverse society. Located outside of Kentucky’s metropolitan areas, EKU has a special obligation to serve the needs of students from the rural areas of central, eastern, and southeastern Kentucky. The program is designed around national and state standards, including the Council for Accreditation on Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB), and the Kentucky Board for Certified Professional Counselors (KBCPC).

The Counseling and Educational Psychology faculty place priority on the application aspect of counseling. Each student is expected to be knowledgeable of counseling theories, intervention techniques, research skills, and to be committed to their own personal growth.