MS Degree Program

The Master’s degree programs in Counseling prepare entry level counseling professionals with a broad knowledge base in fundamental social/behavioral science (human development, learning and cognition, personality theory, and emerging research on visible ethnic populations and gender differences), counseling and helping skills (individual and group counseling, and assessment), research and evaluation tools, and professional identity, role and function. The concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling concentration is accredited by the Council of Rehabilitation Counseling (CORE).

Program objectives are: (1) comprehension of concepts and theories underlying the profession of counseling; (2) ability to collect, analyze, and interpret individual and group data, and to generate and test hypothesis related to human behavior; (3) ability to effectively counsel in both individual and group settings: (4) ability to formulate, implement, and evaluate appropriate counseling programs and interventions; (5) ability to understand and demonstrate ethical behavior and the legal and ethical implications of that behavior; and (6) development of sensitivity and understanding of the needs of persons who are culturally different, including the ability to (a) examine attitudes and myths regarding the culturally different client and (b) the sociopolitical forces impacting the culturally different client.

Program Prerequisites

Students need 6 semester hours of course work at the upper division undergraduate or the graduate level in psychological or cultural foundations.

Program Admission

Program admission for concentrations in the Counseling program

1. Applicants must apply to the Graduate School and to the program. The Master of Science degree in Counseling is a limited access program; not all eligible candidates are admitted. To be considered for admission, applicants must provide:
   1. official undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts of all academic work completed,
   2. submit a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score,
   3. complete a program admission application including appropriate goals essay,
   4. provide three letters of academic and/or professional reference,
   5. undergo an interview with the faculty.
2. Deadline for the completion of all admissions requirements is March 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester. The program selection committee selects students after all application materials and the personal interview are completed. Program admissions forms are available in the department office.

All college transcripts and test score information should be sent directly to Graduate Admissions.

Program Requirements

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (42 hours):

• COUN 7561 - Career Counseling Credit Hours: (3)
• COUN 7630 - Clinical Mental Health Coun Credit Hours: (3)
• COUN 7710 - Addiction Counseling Credit Hours: 3
• COUN 7730 - Crisis Intrvntn Coun Credit Hours: (3)
• COUN 7750 - Multicultural Counseling Credit Hours: (3)
• COUN 7885 - Legal/Eth Issues Coun Credit Hours: (3)
• EDPR 7117 - Life-Span Human Dev ** Credit Hours: (3)
• CPSY 7700 - Intrvntns Mntl Disordrs Credit Hours: (3)

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• COUN 7631 - Pract Mental Health Coun Credit Hours: (3) practicum

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• COUN 7632 - Intern Cmty/Mntl Hlth Credit Hours: (4-9) internship

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• 6 hours elective

Other Requirements

1. All programs include clinical components, practica, and internships; each student’s effectiveness will be evaluated by faculty and supervisors. Prior to contact with clients in practicum and internship, students are expected to provide evidence of good judgment and appropriate emotional functioning. Final decisions regarding student effectiveness will be predicated upon factors that include course grades, demonstrated clinical competence, personality factors, and any relevant test scores.
2. Comprehensive examination.