Mar 29, 2024  
2009-10 NSU Graduate Catalog 
    
2009-10 NSU Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Substance Abuse Counseling M.S.


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(44 Semester Hours)

Purpose

The mission of this program is to prepare persons for careers in substance abuse counseling by providing opportunities for specialization in the therapy and treatment aspects of counseling leading to Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) licensure.

Admission

Applicants are accepted into the Substance Abuse Counseling 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 June for those late applicants, provided there are still open positions in the Substance Abuse Counseling 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 Substance Abuse Counseling Program:
    1. 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;
    2. 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 individual envelopes, with the reference’s signature across the seal.
    3. Completion of the Substance Abuse Counseling 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;
    4. A formal interview with graduate faculty members; and
    5. Approval of the Substance Abuse Counseling Admissions’ Committee.

Applicants are accepted in the Substance Abuse Counseling once each year in the fall semester. All admission documents are required by January 31. Late applications will be reviewed and a supplemental interview will be held in June for those late applicants, provided there are still open positions in the Substance Abuse Counseling program.

 Advisement

An advisor is assigned to the student by the department when admitted to the Substance Abuse Counseling 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 Graduate 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 Substance Abuse Counseling program;
  2. Satisfactorily completed the course, Psychology 5663, Substance Abuse Individual Counseling Techniques Practicum 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 Substance Abuse Counseling 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 Substance Abuse Counseling requires a minimum of 44 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 Substance Abuse Counseling must satisfy the following:

  1. Complete the approved program of study in Substance Abuse Counseling;
  2. Pass the comprehensive exit exam or make an “A” on the final PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques 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 requirements will include successfully completing the Credentialing Seminar (PSYC 5101). Content of this seminar will include an overall review of the major program course work, an examination of the credentials required for state licensure and/or national certification (MAC), and a review of relevant preparation materials for successful completion of the respective licensure or certification examinations. An exit examination prepared by program faculty members assessing student mastery of program content will be administered as a part of this seminar. The student will complete a Capstone research based project (PSYC 5911). Continuous enrollment in PSYC 5911, Applied Psychological Research, is required from the time of the first enrollment in PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques until the capstone project/paper is completed, or until the expiration of the six year degree limit. The project must be one of the following: a formal evaluation of a current substance abuse program, conduct qualitative or quantitative research (project/thesis) that is applicable to a substance abuse agency setting or school-based substance abuse prevention program, or write and submit a formal grant proposal to the funding agency for funding relevant to a substance abuse agency setting or school-based substance abuse prevention program. The project/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, 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 counseling tape to complete PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques 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/project to the first and second readers at least 60 days prior to completion of degree.
  13. Submit the research paper/project 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.

Total 44 hours minimum


M.S. Substance Abuse Counseling 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 campus 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.

Notes


*Students must receive an “A” or “B” in Substance Abuse Individual Counseling Techniques and Practicum in order to enroll in PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques, and enroll in PSYC 5473, Marriage and Family

**Students must maintain continuous enrollment (every fall and spring) in PSYC 5911 from their first enrollment in PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques until the research paper/Capstone experience is completed or until the six year degree limit expires.

***A student MUST take the comprehensive exit examination prior to receiving his/her final grade in Internship.

A student must receive a “B” or better in PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques, submit a 50 minute audio tape for faculty review and approval, and be recommended by the PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques professor to enroll in PSYC 5821-3, Internship in Substance Abuse Counseling. Student must also have passed the exit exam or made an “A” on the final tape in PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques to receive a grade for Internship in Substance Abuse Counseling.

M.S. Substance Abuse Counseling 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 Campus 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


Monday/Wednesday Broken Arrow, Tuesday/Thursday Tahlequah


Fall Semester #2


Monday Broken Arrow, Tuesday Tahlequah


Wednesday Broken Arrow, Thursday Tahlequah


Spring Semester #2


Monday Broken Arrow, Tuesday Tahlequah


Summer Session #2


Fall Semester #3


Spring Semester #3


Both the Broken Arrow Campus and the Tahlequah Campus


Notes


*Students must receive an “A” or “B” in Substance Abuse Individual Counseling Techniques and Practicum in order to enroll in PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques, and enroll in PSYC 5473, Marriage and Family

**Students must maintain continuous enrollment (every fall and spring) in PSYC 5911 from their first enrollment in PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques until the research paper/Capstone experience is completed or until the six year degree limit expires.

***A student MUST take the comprehensive exit examination prior to receiving his/her final grade in Internship.

A student must receive a “B” or better in PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques, submit a 50 minute audio tape for faculty review and approval, and be recommended by the PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques professor to enroll in PSYC 5821-3, Internship in Substance Abuse Counseling. Student must also have passed the exit exam or made an “A” on the final tape in PSYC 5753, Substance Abuse Group Counseling Techniques to receive a grade for Internship in Substance Abuse Counseling.

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