Graduate Study

What is the graduate Study Department?

The Postgraduate Study Department of the Chartered Institute of Counseling in Nigeria (CICN) is the academic and research powerhouse of the Institute, dedicated to advancing the depth, breadth, and quality of professional counseling knowledge and practice. This department is designed for individuals who have completed foundational training in counseling or related fields and are seeking to deepen their expertise, specialize in niche areas, or pursue academic leadership, research, or advanced clinical roles.

At the heart of this department is the commitment to producing thought leaders, innovators, and advanced practitioners who are capable of shaping policy, influencing therapeutic trends, and providing high-level mental health interventions within diverse populations. The department offers Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) and Master’s, in specialized fields such as trauma counseling, sex therapy, grief counseling, addiction studies, child and adolescent mental health, and more.

More than just an academic unit, the Postgraduate Study Department is a space for rigorous intellectual exchange, research mentorship, clinical supervision, and professional development. It integrates international standards in curriculum design, promotes indigenous research, and positions its graduates for global competitiveness while maintaining a strong local relevance.

CICN is currently finalising our discussions on affiliation with International Institutions for students who wish to undergo PGD and Masters programs with international certification. Available courses will be published a soon as possible.

Degree & Post Graduate Programs at the CICN

The future of counseling especially in Africa requires more than passion, it requires global standards, academic depth, and professional credibility. That is why the Chartered Institute of Counseling in Nigeria (CICN) is expanding beyond professional certifications into fully structured Degree, Master’s, and PhD programs in partnership with reputable international institutions.

Through these collaborations, we are creating a new pathway for aspiring and practicing counselors to earn globally recognized qualifications while receiving culturally relevant, practice-driven training right here in Nigeria.

Our degree programs are designed for:

  • Individuals beginning their journey in counseling and mental health
  • Professionals seeking advanced clinical expertise
  • Practitioners ready to step into leadership, research, and academia

This is more than education.
It is a deliberate step toward building a new generation of African counselors who are not only qualified, but globally competitive, ethically grounded, and deeply effective.

  • What makes this pathway unique?
    International academic partnerships
  • Locally grounded, culturally relevant training
  • Practical, real-world clinical exposure
  • A clear pathway from learning to professional practice

Degree & Postgraduate Programs

Earn Globally Recognized Degrees. Train with Local Relevance. Lead with Authority.

The Chartered Institute of Counseling in Nigeria (CICN) is proud to introduce its Degree, Master’s, and PhD programs in Counseling, Mental Health, and Human Development, delivered in partnership with internationally recognized universities.
Through our academic collaborations, including partner institutions in Spain and a global online university, we provide you with the opportunity to earn international qualifications while receiving contextually relevant, practice-driven training tailored to the African reality. This is
where global standards meet local impact.

Why Choose CICN Degree Programs?
At CICN, we are not just offering degrees, we are building professionals who can function confidently anywhere in the world.
What sets us apart:

  • International University Partnerships: Earn degrees awarded by reputable global
    institutions.
  • Hybrid Learning Experience: Combine flexible online learning with structured academic
    and clinical support.
  • Locally Relevant Training: Learn how to apply global theories within African cultural and
    relational contexts.
  • Practical Clinical Exposure: Gain hands-on experience that prepares you for real-life
    counseling situations.
  • Clear Professional Pathway: Move seamlessly from student to certified practitioner to
    specialist.

Our Programs
Undergraduate Degree Programs (BSc)

For individuals beginning their journey in counseling, psychology, or mental health.

You will gain:

  • Foundational knowledge in human behavior and mental health
  • Core counseling and communication skills
  • Ethical and professional grounding
  • Early exposure to practical applications

Ideal for:
School leavers, career switchers, and aspiring counselors.

Postgraduate Programs (Master’s Degree)
For professionals ready to deepen their expertise and specialize.
You will gain:

  • Advanced therapeutic techniques
    Specialized knowledge (e.g., relationship therapy, trauma, sex therapy, mental health)
  • Strong clinical reasoning and intervention skills
  • Supervised practice and case-based learning

Ideal for:
Counselors, therapists, healthcare professionals, and related practitioners.
Doctoral Programs (PhD)

For those called to leadership, academia, and high-level clinical or research work.
You will gain:

  • Advanced research and analytical competence
  • Thought leadership in counseling and mental health
  • Capacity to train, supervise, and influence systems
  • Authority in policy, education, and professional practice

Ideal for:
Senior practitioners, academics, and industry leaders.

Our Partner Institutions
Our degree programs are delivered in collaboration with international universities, ensuring that
your qualification meets global academic standards.
Each program is structured to combine:

  • International curriculum and certification
  • CICN’s professional and clinical training framework
  • Ongoing academic and mentorship support

How It Works

  1. Apply through CICN: Begin your journey with our admissions and advisory team.
  2. Get Matched to a Program & Partner University: Based on your goals, background, and
    preferred study mode.
  3. Enroll & Begin Your Training: Access your academic coursework and clinical learning
    structure.
  4. Gain Practical Experience: Participate in supervised sessions and applied learning.
  5. Graduate with Global Recognition: Earn your degree and step into professional practice with confidence. 

Who This Is For
This pathway is for you if:

  • You want more than short-term training, you want academic and professional authority
  • You are passionate about helping people but need the structure and credibility
  • You are ready to build a serious career in counseling and mental health
  • You want to be trained to global standards without losing cultural relevance

Start Your Journey

You don’t have to leave the country to access world-class education.
You don’t have to choose between global exposure and local relevance.
At CICN, you get both.
Your next level is not a dream, it is a decision.

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The Chartered Institute of Counseling in Nigeria is a reputable Counseling Institute, the first of its kind in Africa; affiliated with other professional educational Institutions, Associations, and bodies both in Nigeria and Internationally.

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