Counseling, M.S. *

OSRHE Program Code: 019
CIP Code: 422803

Major Code: 6140

Option Code: 

• 6141 - Addiction Counseling
• 6142 - Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• 6143 - School Counseling

(60 Semester Hours)

Purpose

The mission of this program is to prepare persons for careers in counseling. All three (3) tracks (Clinical Mental Health, Addiction and School) lead to eligibility for licensure as Professional Counselors (LPC). Those in the Addiction track will be eligible for licensure as Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC), as well.

Specialty Accreditation

The Master of Science in Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, 1001 North Fairfax Street, Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-535-5990; FAX: 703-739-6209; www.cacrep.org.

Credential Requirements

Clinical Mental Health Counseling. All of the emphases courses in the Masters of Science in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling option meet the academic requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counseling in the State of Oklahoma (http://www.ok.gov/health//Protective_Health/Professional_Counselor_Licensing_Division/). A list of requirements can be found on the Oklahoma State Department of Health webpage under Acts and Regulations. Each applicant for the LPC licensure will take and pass a written exam according to State Board of Health. The counseling program’s exit exam is designed to prepare students for the state exam. The exit exam covers the same eight core subject domains. Clinical Mental Health Counseling students who wish to pursue the LADC licensure are required to complete an additional 15 credit hours of addiction counseling courses in order to meet state requirements.

School Counseling. All of the emphases courses in the Masters of Science in Counseling: School Counseling option meet the academic requirements to become a certified P-12 school counselor in the state of Oklahoma. Licensing and credentialing varies by states as there is not currently a national license or certification for school counseling. The American School Counselor Association lists the credentialing requirements per state at the following website: http://www.schoolcounselor.org/content.asp?contentid=242. Each applicant for the Oklahoma School Counseling certification will take and pass the following exams offered by the  Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (840 Research Parkway, Suite 455, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-522-5399), www.ok.gov/oeqa: (1) The Oklahoma General Education Test [OGET]; (2) Oklahoma’s Subject Area Test in school counseling [OSAT]; and (3) Oklahoma Professional Teaching Exam [OPTE]. Students also leave the program with all the necessary course requirements in order to sit for the National Counselor Exam and to pursue licensing as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Addiction Counseling. All of the emphases courses in the Masters of Science in Counseling: Addiction Counseling option meet the academic requirements to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) in the state of Oklahoma (http://www.okdrugcounselors.org). A list of requirements can be found on the Oklahoma State Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (OSBADC) webpage under the link Basic Requirements. The OSBADC establishes the state examination requirements to become an LADC (Title 38; Senate Bill 1277) based on standards established by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). Each applicant for the LADC licensure will take and pass written and oral examinations according to State Board standards. The counseling program’s exit exam is designed to prepare students for the state exam. The exit exam covers the same eight core subject domains. Students who complete the Masters of Science in Counseling: Addiction Counseling option also meet educational requirements to be eligible for LPC licensure in the state of Oklahoma.

The M.S. in Counseling degree program is a cohort program. In order to take Counseling graduate courses the student must be admitted to the M.S. in Counseling degree and MUST complete courses in the sequence listed on their degree plan. Any exceptions must be approved by the Department Chair.

Non-degree seeking students may not take any “clinical” courses and enrollment in all other courses is contingent on space availability and prior approval of the Department Chair.

Admission

Applicants are accepted into the Counseling program once each year in the fall semester. The application and supporting documents are required by December 15. 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 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 recommended score of 288 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 coursework. 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.

2. Criteria for Admission to the Counseling Program:

   1. A recommended combined score on the GRE verbal and quantitative sections of 288 or better. A recommended score of 288 is necessary to receive points toward admission in this category.

   2. Three references (forms provided) are required from professional (work) and academic references. (You must have at least 1 from each of the two categories). Reference letters must be sealed in individual envelopes, with the reference’s signature across the seal.

   3. Completion of the 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 Counseling Admissions’ Committee.

Acceptance to the Counseling program is essential prior to beginning any classes applicable to the program. A minimum of 60 hours of coursework in the program must be completed after being formally admitted to the Counseling program. All admissions documents must be received by December 15.

Advisement

An advisor is assigned to the student by the department when admitted to the 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 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 program;
2. Satisfactorily completed the course, COUN 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 coursework as prescribed by the plan of study;
7. Maintained a “B” average in all graduate coursework 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 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 requires a minimum of 60 semester hours. The program consists of theory, practicum, and internship. The coursework 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 coursework at the campus they were accepted to unless given permission by the Chair of the Department to enroll in other campus classes. There is a formal process for seeking a transfer to another campus. These requests will be determined once per semester.

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 must satisfy the following:

1. Complete the approved program of study in Counseling;
2. Pass the comprehensive exam (CPCE) and secure approval of a 50 minute counseling tape;
3. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all graduate coursework attempted.
4. Maintain a 3.0 grade point average in all courses applicable to the program.

Thesis Experience (Optional)

Students may choose to complete a thesis in addition to the other requirements for completing their M.S. in Counseling. The thesis is a research project whereas the student works closely with a Thesis Advisor  and two additional faculty members (one of whom can be from outside the Psychology and Counseling faculty) on this project. This becomes the Thesis Committee. If selecting the Thesis option, the student is required to enroll in COUN 5923. The Thesis must be proposed and successfully defended to the Thesis Committee, as well as, be accepted by the Graduate Dean. The Thesis must be submitted to the Graduate Dean 30 days prior to the end of the semester the student is planning to graduate.

Program Checklist

1. File application for admission and supporting documents with the Graduate College by December 15.
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.
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. Receive notification of Graduation activities from the Director of Admissions & Records two weeks prior to Convocation.
13. 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 offered 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.