Master of Arts in Counseling
The graduate program in counseling prepares people as school counselors and mental health counselors at the master's and Educational Specialist levels. At the master's level, students acquire core knowledge and clinical skills, which enable them to enter the profession of counseling. Graduates in the Educational Specialist programs develop advanced skills in clinical work and research. We strive to create a rigorous scholarly and supportive atmosphere for students to develop intellectually with a deep sense of social consciousness and self-awareness. We value teaching, scholarship, and service, which contribute to the mission of the College of Education at MSU.
Successful completion of the requirements leads to a Provisional Counseling Certificate grades P-12.
A student planning a career as a counselor in mental health is required by Kentucky law to complete the Ed.S. program for the educational components to apply for licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor.
Admission Requirements
- General admission to graduate study.
- A GRE score of 800 (verbal and quantitative) with a minimum verbal score of 350 or a raw score of 33 (385-390 Scaled Score) on the Miller Analogies Test is required.
- TOEFL 525 (197 computer-based) or 74 on English Language Instruction Test of the University of Michigan, for international students.
Requirements for the Degree
- Satisfy the general degree requirements.
- If a student has not become unconditionally admitted after completing 12 graduate hours, he/she will not be allowed to register for additional hours.
- All graduate students pursuing programs of study in the Department of Foundational & Graduate Studies in Education must maintain a 3.0 graduate GPA. Students falling below a 3.0 will be placed on a one-semester period of probation. Students failing to achieve a graduate GPA of at least 3.0 at the end of the probation semester will be dropped from their respective program. Any student who received grades of "C" in more than two graduate courses will be immediately dropped from his/her respective program.
- Students are expected to adhere to the ethical standards and guidelines of the American Counseling Association, the American School Counselor Association, and/or the American Mental Health Counselors Association. Breach of ethical practices will result in dismissal from the program.
- Students in practicum and advanced practicum are required to have personal liability coverage. Previously students have been allowed to use their professional association liability coverage (through KEA) in practicum and advanced practicum. This will no longer be allowed as these policies only cover their members in their regular work duties and not specifically as a student counselor. The department will accept any personal professional liability insurance that specifically states it covers student counselors/counselors/in training in their role as a student counselor. An example of this would be Health Care Providers Service Organizations (www.hpso.com). If you have any questions contact any faculty member in the Counseling unit.
- Must be unconditionally admitted.
- Students must complete the following program requirements:
|
Sem. Hrs. |
Counseling Core
EDGC 619 - Career Counseling |
3 |
EDGC 620 - Psycho-Social & Multicultural Factors in Counseling |
3 |
EDGC 656 - Introduction to Counseling |
3 |
EDGC 665 - Philosophy and Practice of School Counseling |
3 |
EDGC 666 - Theories of Counseling |
3 |
EDGC 667 - Group Counseling |
3 |
EDGC 668 - Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling |
3 |
EDGC 669 - Practicum in Counseling |
3 |
EDGC 671 - Practices and Techniques in Counseling |
3 |
Professional Education Core
EDF 600 - Research Methods in Education |
3 |
EDF 610 - Advanced Human Growth and Development |
3 |
EDGC 661 - Measurement Principles and Techniques |
3 |
TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED |
36 |
Academic Competencies
- Knowledge of the major contemporary theories, which form the foundation for the current practice of professional counseling (EDGC 619, 620, 656, and 666).
- Knowledge of basic research technique and methodology sufficient to function as informed consumers of professional literature and to conduct applied and action research projects (EDF 600).
- Knowledge of the organization and administration of school guidance services consistent with current professional standards and Commonwealth of Kentucky statutes and regulations (EDGC 620, 665, and 669).
- Knowledge of fundamental psycho-educational assessment theory and practice (EDGC 661).
- Knowledge of human development, learning, and behavior required to function as entry-level professional school counselors (EDF 610, EDGC 620, 656, and 666).
Clinical Competencies
- Demonstrate the ability to utilize various theoretical formulations, interview techniques and appropriate psycho-educational instruments (EDGC 619, 661, 666, 667, and 669).
- Demonstrate the ability to select and apply a variety of interventions in the conduct of professional counseling with a variety of clients and client problems (EDGC 619, 620, 666, 667, and 669).
- Demonstrate the ability to select, administer, score and interpret a variety of psycho-educational instruments appropriate for entry-level professional counselors (EDGC 661).
- Demonstrate the ability to design and execute applied and action research projects for study in the field of counseling (EDF 600, EDGC 661).
- Demonstrate appropriate, ethical, and professional interpersonal skills for both individual and group counseling as well as for consultation settings (EDGC 620, 656, 666, 667, and 669).
*Academic and clinical competencies are aligned with the Kentucky EPSB New and Experienced Counselor Standards.
Assessment Procedures
Students in their final semester of study in the program are required to successfully complete a comprehensive objective final exit exam. Students who fail to achieve the minimum passing score may retake the examination after consultation with their advisor. Failing to perform adequately on the second exit examination will result in a remediation plan for the student as developed by the program faculty. If after the remediation plan is completed and the student is unsuccessful in the third attempt at the exam, the student will be dismissed from the counseling program.
NOTE: Persons doing counseling outside of schools - pastors, social workers, and others - are expected to apply for the Ed.S in Counseling degree program. The Ed.S. program does not qualify the candidate for certification as a counselor in the public schools or lead to a rank change.