Carlow University’s Professional Counseling Program was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Counselor Education Program Award by the Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA). This prestigious honor recognizes exceptional graduate-level counseling programs within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It was presented at the PCA Conference held in Harrisburg this past October.
This award is a meaningful acknowledgment of the program’s commitment to developing compassionate, ethically minded counselors ready to meet the evolving needs of the community. The PCA highlighted several initiatives during the awards ceremony, including the Carlow Counseling Clinic at Woodland Hills School District, the continuing education and licensure support offered to students and alumni, and the Addiction Counseling Workforce Impact Project (AC-WIP), a newly launched program designed to expand access to care for individuals and families impacted by addiction in Pennsylvania.
This is not just a win for the Professional Counseling Program. It’s a reflection of Carlow’s broader mission to deliver transformative education that meets real-world challenges with purpose, empathy, and impact, preparing students to become ethical leaders in the mental health field.
“Receiving this award affirms what we’ve always believed about our program,” said Professional Counseling faculty director Dr. Fawn Robinson. “It’s that you don’t have to be the biggest to make the biggest difference. I’m so happy Carlow faculty and students are being recognized for the heart and purpose they bring to counseling education.”
About the AC-WIP
Carlow University’s Professional Counseling Program has launched a bold new initiative to address a growing public health crisis across Pennsylvania: the shortage of trained addiction counselors. Through the Addiction Counseling Workforce Impact Project (AC-WIP), Carlow is preparing the next generation of highly skilled professionals to meet this urgent need while removing financial barriers for graduate students called to serve.
Funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), the AC-WIP initiative offers significant financial support to eligible students in Carlow’s Master of Science in Professional Counseling program. These students may receive up to $27,600 in tuition support and $4,400 in stipends across five semesters, along with additional funds for exam prep and professional development. In return, students commit to specialized training in addiction counseling and three years of post-graduate service in approved treatment facilities throughout Pennsylvania.
“AC-WIP is more than a scholarship program. It’s a mission-driven effort to build a counseling workforce that’s responsive to the community’s needs,” said Dr. Robinson. “We’re helping students step into the field equipped to lead with knowledge and empathy.”
At a time when the need for addiction counseling services continues to rise, AC-WIP demonstrates how Carlow continues to meet the moment by preparing leaders who are ready to serve, support, and advocate in communities across the Commonwealth.
Discover more about the Addiction Counseling Workforce Impact Project >>