In 1976 ACA aids in passage of first licensure law in the U.S. in Virginia
ACA founded CACREP in 1981 (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs)
ACA founded NBCC in 1982 (National Board for Certified Counselors)
Counseling As A Career
Counseling is in demand – The 2007 Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook states that there will be more counseling jobs than graduates from college counseling programs
Money magazine named a Licensed Professional Counselor among the top 50 jobs in the U.S.
This means unprecedented opportunities
for counseling students.
Student Liability Insurance for Master’s Degree Students
ACA student membership includes professional liability (malpractice) insurance for students enrolled and engaged in a master’s degree counseling curriculum at a post secondary institution.
Coverage is available to ACA student members solely while performing counseling services (e.g. practicum and internship) related to such curriculum.
ACA new graduate members receive a 50% discount
on their liability insurance premium
.
Students enrolled in a bachelor degree program, doctoral degree program or
other post master's program are not covered through this program.
ACA Supports You!
Student membership in ACA opens doors to lifelong
resources and benefits:
ACA supports counseling students:
By advocating for the counseling profession
By offering career development services and access to select counseling jobs
By helping you to develop and expand the skills you need
By providing resources for research
By offering professional networking opportunities
“I love being a student member of ACA because you are given so many resources...it’s impossible to be uninformed! It’s a great way to learn as much as possible before entering the field…”
Alissa Klayman, Northern Illinois University
What Are Counseling Students Saying About ACA?
“I love knowing that I have resources at my fingertips any time of day! As a graduate student, we are studying at all hours and when I need information I can log on to ACA anytime.”
- Sara Brandt, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
“One of the things I love the most about being a student member of ACA is that I can be part of an organization that includes veteran counselors and therapists as well as students. It is a great way to connect to my future career and learn from others who have gone before me.”
“What I love about being a student member of ACA is the security I have in knowing that I have a professional family to turn to for all things counseling…”
- Dawn Riley, Eastern New Mexico University
“I am a part of something so much bigger than me...”
- Heather Fuller, Capella University
“ACA student membership gives me access to what I need to support my career at a price I can afford...It is a bargain I can’t afford to pass up.”
- Pat Baranczyk, Winona State University
Education Beyond The Classroom ACA Member Services and Benefits
Liability Insurance included in membership for master’s level students
Year-round career services support
Employment services through partnership with CareerBuilder
Free ethics and professional standards consultation
ACA Code of Ethics
ACA’s monthly magazine,Counseling Today; quarterly journal of counseling research,Journal of Counseling & Development now accessible online; bi-weekly e-news bulletin,ACAeNews, and ACA’s website counseling.org provide up-to-date information and research in the world of counseling.
ACA helps emerging counseling professionals develop their skills and expand their knowledge base with the following services and benefits designed with their personal and professional growth in mind:
ACA Member Services & Benefits
Online library and resources for research
Networking and mentoring opportunities
Low student rates for conference registration
Graduate Student and New Professional Center, volunteer opportunities and special activities at the Annual Conference & Exposition
Podcasts and Online Learning
Grants and scholarships
Support for building a private practice
Leadership development and skill-building
Affordable CE credits
Discounted Publications, books and videos
Listservs, Blogs, Interest Networks
And much more…
ACA Conference & Exposition
Attend the world’s largest gathering of professional counselors
Meet counseling professionals from all over the world and mingle with other students in the Graduate Student and New Professional Center
Volunteer at the conference and get a discount on registration:
Second year and beyond conference registration complimentary
Benefit from education sessions developed for students
See the latest counseling products, services and publications in the Exposition
Future Conferences
2010 – March 18-22, 2010 - Pittsburgh, PA
“I remember my first conference vividly...the excitement, the chatter, the education, the camaraderie! The ACA Conference is a time to bond with other counseling professionals and to rejuvenate my soul! I am thrilled to attend each conference and look forward to making my attendance a lifelong tradition!”
Jennifer Alamia, University of Texas San Antonio
Student Member Benefits on Counseling.org
Special area for students
Members-Only section
Virtual Library - research 24/7!
Online learning
Career Center partnership with Career Builder
Code of Ethics online
Manage your membership
Join listservs and special interest groups
Purchase books and videos direct from ACA at a discount
Private Practice Pointers is a comprehensive section of the ACA website that can help you prepare for the thriving full or part time independent practice that may be in your future
Student Learning, Networking & Leadership Opportunities in ACA
Student essay competition
Ross Trust Scholarship for students
Become a student representative to Governing Council
Become a student representative to a committee
Become a legislative advocate
Public Policy & Legislation
Advocate for your profession at the national and state level
Help to secure funding and legislation
Learn leadership skills
Join the PPL listserv and stay informed
“What I love most about being a student member of ACA is the feeling that comes with making a difference through advocacy opportunities in the field of counseling.
I subscribe to the ACA Public Policy Listserv to stay current on pending legislation of concern to the profession and make my voice heard.”
Laura Messer,
Florida International University
Public Awareness
Due to the dedicated counselors throughout California and the state and national organizations, particularly ACA and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), that support professional counseling, the counseling profession achieved a historic goal with the signing into law California Senate Bill 788, establishing licensure of professional clinical counselors in the state.
ACA partnered with the American Red Cross to provide disaster mental health volunteer services following Hurricane Gustov's landfall in the Gulf Coast region.
ACA’s response to Hurricane Katrina won the Summit Award from the American Society for Association Executives
ACA organized a counseling effort for Virginia Tech
Counseling Awareness Month
Counseling Awareness Month is in April
ACA created an award-winning campaign to bring public attention to counseling
Online Interest Networks
Children’s Counseling
Grief and Bereavement
Historical Issues in Counseling
Advances in Therapeutic Humor
Multiracial/Multiethnic Counseling Concerns
Jewish Interests
Sports Counseling
Traumatology
Women’s Issues
Professional Counselors in Schools
Forensic Counseling
Wellness
Organization of ACA
19 Divisions
4 Regions
56 Branches
“I stay connected to all disciplines within the counseling profession…I believe there is great value in learning from all specialties and working together towards the common goal of helping. I am proud to be a student member of this force.”
Association for Adult Development and Aging (AADA)
Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC)
American College Counseling Association (ACCA)
Association for Counselors and Educators in Government (ACEG)
Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling (ALGBTIC)
Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD)
American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)
American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA)
ACA Divisions
American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC)
Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW)
Counseling Association for Humanistic Education and Development
(C-AHEAD)
Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ)
International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC)
International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC)
National Career Development Association (NCDA)
National Employment Counseling Association (NECA)
ACA Regions
Provides leadership training
Networking for branch leaders
4 Regions:
Midwest
North Atlantic
Southern
Western
ACA Regions
ACA Branches
56 branches in U.S. and abroad
Provides a mechanism for counselors to join together to carry out the purposes of the American Counseling Association
Leadership opportunities
Professional development
Publications
Advocacy
“What I love most about being a student member of ACA is the networking. In the short time I have been a member, I have seen students get and give great advice from each other about internships, classes, and job searching.”
Join the Community Created for Counselors! The world’s largest organization for counseling professionals… American Counseling Association 5999 Stevenson Avenue Alexandria, Virginia 22304 counseling.org Phone: 1-800-347-6647, x222/703-823-9800, x222 FAX: 1-800-473-2329
