School Counseling M.Ed.

Master of Education General Information 

(49 Semester Hours)

Purpose

The mission of this program is to prepare persons for careers in School Counseling by providing opportunities for specialization in the counseling and treatment aspects for students in the school setting leading to the standard certificate in school counseling and National School Counselor (NBCC) Certification.

1. To provide candidates with the requisite knowledge, skills, and ethical outlook to become state and nationally certified school counselors.
2. To provide candidates with an educational atmosphere conducive to personal and professional growth and development.
3. To facilitate candidates’ abilities to apply counseling theories and therapeutic concepts to the practice and application of counseling principles.
4. To provide candidates with knowledge of the structure and administration of school counseling and guidance programs in a culturally diverse society.
5. To provide candidates with effective skills in the key competency areas of counseling, consultation and coordination.
6. To produce candidates who are effective consumers of the research in the field and who have the ability to apply research findings to practical field situations.

Admission

There is a two step process for admission to the School Counseling degree program. The candidate must first meet Graduate College admissions criteria then he/she must meet departmental admissions criteria.

1. 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);
   3. An approved Application for Graduate Admission;
   4. An official transcript of all previous college course work. The transcript must be sent directly from the schools attended to the Graduate College Office.
   5. A grade point average of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale, or a 2.75 based on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate course work.
2. School Counseling Degree Program:
   1. The applicant must satisfy the requirements for admission to the Graduate College.
   2. Submit official scores for the GRE. (A recommended score of 288 on the GRE (verbal and quantitative) is necessary to receive points toward admission in this category)
   3. Submit three references (forms provided) from professional (work) and academic references (at least one from each of the two areas); Reference letters must be sealed in individual envelopes, with the reference’s signature across the seal;
   4. Completion of the School Counseling Program Application form, including an autobiography and written career goals statement of why you have elected to work in School Counseling. The program application, autobiography, goal statement and the references must be returned in a self-addressed 9”x12” manila envelope by the application due date (December 31) to the Department of Psychology and Counseling.
   5. A formal interview with graduate faculty members; and
   6. Approval of the School Counseling Admissions’ Committee.

Acceptance to the School Counseling program is essential prior to beginning any classes applicable to the program. A minimum of 49 hours of course work in the program must be completed after being formally admitted to the School Counseling program.

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

Advisement

An advisor in the School Counseling program is assigned to the student by the Department when he/she is formally admitted to the School Counseling program. Prior to being admitted to the School Counseling program, all applicants will be listed as NON- PURSUING (not seeking a master’s degree). Graduate course work completed prior to formal admission to the M.Ed. School Counseling program may not be applicable to degree requirements.

Once admission status has been determined, 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.

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.

Admission to Candidacy

Students are eligible to be admitted to candidacy if they have:

1. Been formally admitted to the School Counseling program;
2. Satisfactorily completed the course, COUN 5603, Practicum I with a “B” or “A”
3. Satisfactorily completed the course, COUN 5153, Principles and Administration of Guidance Services;
4. Filed a plan of study (degree plan) approved by the advisor and the Dean of the Graduate College;
5. Filed a Statement of Understanding signed by the student and advisor with the Graduate College;
6. Filed a Statement of Honesty and Integrity signed by the student and advisor, which has been placed on file with the Department and the Graduate College;
7. Completed a minimum of twelve semester hours as prescribed by the plan of study;
8. Maintained a 3.0 grade point average in all graduate course work attempted;
9. 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 School 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. All students will maintain a professional portfolio as directed by the department and as required by NCATE.

Program of Study

The program in School Counseling requires a minimum of 49 semester hours. The program consists of theory, practicum, group, and internship. The course work is sequenced, and departmental permission is required for enrollment in some courses. (See course listings in this catalog).

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.

All students are required to provide proof of student liability insurance by the third week of semester one or before taking program courses.

Requirements for Graduation

In addition to the requirements in the Academic Information Section of the Graduate Catalog, the candidate for the Master of Education in School Counseling degree must satisfy the following:

1. Complete the approved program of study in School Counseling;
2. Pass the comprehensive examination (CPCE) and secure approval of a 50 minute counseling tape;
3. Complete an acceptable capstone experience or an additional 100 hours of internship;
4. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all graduate course work attempted; and
5. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all courses applicable to the program.

Capstone Experience

The capstone experience options in School Counseling are to complete a Research based paper or project or complete an additional 100 hours of internship.

Program Checklist

1. File application for admission and supporting documents with the Graduate College by December 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.
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 Counseling faculty.
7. Pass the comprehensive examination; receive approval of a 50-minute counseling tape, and make an “A” or “B” in Development Guidance Practicum to be admitted 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 a graduation form 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 (if selected) to the first and second readers 60 days prior to completion of degree.
13. Submit the research paper/project to the Graduate Dean at least 30 days prior to completion of degree.
14. Receive notification of Graduation activities from the Director of Admissions and 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 on the Tahlequah campus and Broken Arrow campus. 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.