Mar 28, 2024  
2008-09 NSU Graduate Catalog 
    
2008-09 NSU Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Counseling Psychology M.S.


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(61 Semester Hours)

Purpose

The mission of this program is to prepare persons for careers in counseling psychology by providing opportunities for specialization in the therapy and treatment aspects of counseling leading to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure.

Admission

Applicants are accepted into the Counseling Psychology program once each year in the fall semester. The application and supporting documents are required by January 31. Late applications will be reviewed and a supplemental interview will be held in July for those late applicants, provided there are still open positions in the Counseling Psychology program.

  1. Criteria for Admission to Graduate College:
    1. An earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
    2. Scores no more than five years old on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE general aptitude test) (A minimum score of 900 is necessary to receive points toward admission in the category);
    3. An approved Application for Graduate Admission;
    4. One official transcript of all previous college course work. The transcript must be sent directly from the schools attended to the Graduate College;
    5. An overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 (based on a 4.0 scale) or a grade point average of 2.75 (based on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 undergraduate semester hours attempted; or a score on the GRE (verbal plus quantitative) in the upper three-fourths of national norms.
  2. Criteria for Admission to the Counseling Psychology Program:
    1. Completion of 6 credit hours in the following undergraduate prerequisite courses:
      1. Personality Theories
      2. Abnormal Psychology
        A 3.5 grade point average or higher in the above courses is desirable.
    2. A combined score on the GRE verbal and quantitative sections of 900 or better and scores for the analytical section of the GRE. A minimum score of 900 is necessary to receive points toward admission in this category.
    3. Three references (forms provided) as follows:
      1. A personal reference (from person not related to applicant)
      2. An academic reference (outside of the NSU Graduate Psychology faculty)
      3. A professional (work) reference; references must be sealed in an individual envelopes, with the reference’s signature across the seal.
    4. Completion of the Counseling Psychology Application Form, which includes a written autobiography and statement of career goals. All application materials except transcripts must be mailed in a single manila envelope to the Department of Psychology and Counseling.
    5. A formal interview with graduate faculty members and;
    6. Approval of the Counseling Psychology Admissions’ Committee.

Acceptance to the Counseling Psychology program is essential prior to beginning any classes applicable to the program. A minimum of 61 hours of course work in the program must be completed after being formally admitted to the Counseling Psychology program.

All admissions documents must be received by January 31.

Advisement

An advisor is assigned to the student by the department when admitted to the Counseling Psychology program. The student is required to arrange a conference with the advisor before the student’s first enrollment. The advisor assists the student in the selection of classes each semester, reviews program requirements and policies, and approves the student’s class schedule.

Plan of Study/Statement of Understanding/Statement of Academic Integrity & Honesty

The advisor in conference with the student develops a plan of study (degree plan) for the student’s degree program and reviews the Statement of Understanding and Statement of Academic Integrity and Honesty after which both parties sign the documents. Copies of the signed degree plan, the Statement of Understanding, and the Statement of Academic Integrity and Honesty are sent to the Graduate College for the Dean’s approval and distribution.

Any changes made in the student’s plan of study require prior written approval by the advisor, Department Chair, and the Dean of the Graduate College.

Admission to Candidacy

All full-time students will be reviewed for candidacy, by the counseling faculty, at the end of the spring semester of their first year in the program. Part-time students will be reviewed for candidacy at the end of their second spring semester in the program. All students must obtain a favorable candidacy recommendation to remain in the program.

To be admitted to candidacy the student must have:

  1. Been regularly admitted to the Counseling Psychology program;
  2. Satisfactorily completed the course, Psychology 5603, Practicum I with a “B” or “A”;
  3. Filed a plan of study approved by the advisor and the Graduate Dean;
  4. Filed a signed Statement of Understanding with the degree plan in the Graduate College and with the Department;
  5. Filed a signed Statement of Academic Integrity and Honesty with the degree plan in the Graduate College and with the Department;
  6. Maintained an average grade of “B” (after program admission) in at least twelve hours of required graduate course work as prescribed by the plan of study;
  7. Maintained a “B” average in all graduate course work prior to candidacy.
  8. Secured a favorable recommendation of the Counseling graduate faculty for candidacy.

The performance of all applicants, students, and candidates for the master’s degree in Counseling Psychology will be evaluated both objectively and subjectively by all Counseling faculty on the basis of academic, social, emotional, and behavioral fitness for the profession.

All students will be required to provide proof of liability insurance by the third week of the first semester of enrollment and maintain liability insurance for the duration of the program.

Program of Study

The program in Counseling Psychology requires a minimum of 61 semester hours. The program consists of theory, practicum, and internship. It is a structured program. The course work is sequenced, and departmental permission is required for enrollment in some courses. (See course listings in this catalog.)

Some testing classes require a test kit rental fee. All students are required to provide proof of student liability insurance before taking program courses.

All students are required to remain sequentially enrolled as prescribed by the full or part time degree options.

All students are required to enroll for course work at the campus they were accepted to unless given permission by the Chair of the Department to enroll in other campus classes.

Requirements for Graduation

In addition to the requirements in the Academic Information Section of the Graduate Catalog, the candidate for the Master of Science Degree in Counseling Psychology must satisfy the following:

  1. Complete the approved program of study in Counseling Psychology;
  2. Pass the comprehensive exam (CPCE) or make an “A” on the final Practicum II tape and secure approval of a 50 minute audio counseling tape.
  3. Complete an acceptable capstone experience.
  4. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all graduate course work attempted.
  5. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all courses applicable to the program.

Capstone Experience

The capstone experience in this program can be a research paper or literature review paper, or an additional 300 clock hour internship experience as fully described in the graduate student hand book. If selecting the 300 hour internship, the student is not required to enroll in PSYC 5911, each semester or have a paper that is acceptable to first and second readers from the Department of Psychology and Counseling and the Dean of the Graduate College. Continuous enrollment in PSYC 5911, Applied Psychological Research, is required from the time of the first enrollment in Practicum II until the research paper is completed, or until the expiration of the six year degree limit. The paper must be submitted to the first reader at least 60 days prior to the close of the semester in which the student expects to complete degree requirements and to the Dean of the Graduate College for final approval at least 30 days prior to the close of the semester in which the student expects to complete degree requirements.

Program Checklist

  1. File application for admission and supporting documents with the Graduate College by January 31.
  2. Receive notice of admission and appointment of advisor.
  3. Meet with the advisor prior to the first enrollment to complete and file a degree plan and a Statement of Understanding and a Statement of Academic Integrity and Honesty with the Department and with the Dean of the Graduate College.
  4. Register for classes per schedule of classes.
  5. Interview with advisor prior to each enrollment.
  6. Secure a favorable recommendation for candidacy from the graduate faculty.
  7. Pass the comprehensive examination and receive approval of a 50-minute audio counseling tape to complete practicum II and be admissible to internship.
  8. Attend a pre-internship meeting with the internship coordinator during the semester prior to enrolling in internship.
  9. Request a degree check from the Graduate College prior to the semester of expected graduation.
  10. Apply for internship with the internship coordinator during the semester prior to internship.
  11. Submit an application for graduation and diploma fee to Graduate College/Business Office before the closing date for final enrollment except summer graduates who should apply by March 1.
  12. Submit the research paper to the first and second readers at least 60 days prior to completion of degree.
  13. Submit the research paper to the Graduate Dean at least 30 days prior to the close of the semester in which the student expects to complete degree requirements.
  14. Receive notification of Graduation activities from the Director of Admissions & Records two weeks prior to Convocation.
  15. Complete the internship by end of the semester of graduation.

Assistantships

A limited number of paid teaching and research assistantships are available in the Department of Psychology and Counseling. These are primarily day positions and are at the main campus in Tahlequah. Interested applicants should request an “Application for Graduate Assistantship” from the Graduate College Office. A master’s student can apply to be a lab assistant in the Experimental Psychology Lab. Two positions are available each year; one in Tahlequah and one in Broken Arrow.

M.S. Counseling Psychology Full-Time Option


Students accepted to the Broken Arrow Campus must attend Monday/Wednesday Classes

Students accepted to the Tahlequah Campus must attend Tuesday/Thursday Classes

The program will be taught at Broken Arrow on Monday and Wednesday evenings and on the main campus, at the Tahlequah campus, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. All courses will be taken in sequence with each new class of students entering the program during the fall semester.

Fall Semester #1


Spring Semester #1


Summer Session #1


Fall Semester #2


Spring Semester #2


Summer Semester #2


Fall Semester #3


Notes


*Students must receive an “A” or “B” in Practicum I in order to enroll in PSYC 5713 Group Processes or PSYC 5733, Practicum II.

**A student MUST take the CPCE comprehensive examination prior to receiving his/her final grade in Practicum II.

***Students must maintain continuous enrollment (every fall and spring) in PSYC 5911from their first enrollment in Practicum II until the research paper/Capstone experience is completed unless choosing 300 additional internship clock hours for the capstone or until the six year degree limit expires.

****A student must receive a “B” or better in Practicum II, submit a 50 minute audio tape for faculty review and approval, and be recommended by the Practicum II professor to enroll in PSYC 5801-6, Internship in Counseling Psychology. Student must also have passed the CPCE exam or made an “A” on the final tape in PSYC 5733 to receive a grade for Internship in Counseling Psychology.

M.S. Counseling Psychology Part-Time Option


Students accepted to the Broken Arrow Campus must attend Monday/Wednesday Classes

Students accepted to the Tahlequah Campus must attend Tuesday/Thursday Classes

The program will be taught at Broken Arrow on Monday and Wednesday evenings and at the Tahlequah campus, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. All courses will be taken in sequence with each new class of students entering the program during the Fall Semester.

Fall Semester #1


Monday Broken Arrow, Tuesday Tahlequah


Wednesday Broken Arrow, Thursday Tahlequah


Spring Semester #1


Monday Broken Arrow, Tuesday Tahlequah


Wednesday Broken Arrow, Thursday Tahlequah


Summer Session #1


Fall Semester #2


Monday Broken Arrow, Tuesday Tahlequah


Spring Semester #2


Monday Broken Arrow, Tuesday Tahlequah


Wednesday Broken Arrow, Thursday Tahlequah


Summer Session #2


Monday/Wednesday Broken Arrow, Tuesday/Thursday Tahlequah


Tuesday/Thursday Broken Arrow, Monday/Wednesday Tahlequah


Fall Semester #3


Monday Broken Arrow, Tuesday Tahlequah


Spring Semester #3


Monday Broken Arrow, Tuesday Tahlequah


Summer Session #3


Notes


*Students must receive an “A” or “B” in Practicum I in order to enroll in PSYC 5713 Group Processes and PSYC 5733, Practicum II.

**A student MUST take the CPCE comprehensive examination prior to receiving his/her final grade in Practicum II.

***Students must maintain continuous enrollment (every fall and spring) in PSYC 5911from their first enrollment in Practicum II until the research paper/Capstone experience is completed unless choosing 300 additional internship clock hours for the capstone or until the six year degree limit expires.

****A student must receive a “B” or better in Practicum II, submit a 50 minute audio tape for faculty review and approval, and be recommended by the Practicum II professor to enroll in PSYC 5801-6, Internship in Counseling Psychology. Student must also have passed the CPCE exam or made an “A” on the final tape in PSYC 5733 to receive a grade for Internship in Counseling Psychology.

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