The Counseling and Human Resource Development program is designed to assist the student in developing professional skills and competencies expected of qualified counselors in school, agency, rehabilitation or higher education settings. These include but are not limited to: 1) intervention and assessment strategies appropriate for master’s-level counselors, 2) individual and group counseling competencies, 3) professional responsibility, and 4) selfknowledge and self-development. The school, agency, and student affairs 48-hour tracks are accredited by CACREP (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs). An administrative track in college student personnel is also offered through CHRD. This 36-hour program meets CAS (Council for the Advancement of Standards for Student Services/Development Programs) guidelines.
Available Options for Graduate Degrees
Master of Science:
Option A: 48 hours
Option B: 48 hours
Option C: 48 hours
See Master’s Degrees and Options for descriptions of available options.
Requirements for Admission to the Program
Step 1
Acceptance by the Graduate School
If accepted to the Graduate School, those seeking admittance to the Counseling and Human Resource Department will be given a “Special Student Status.” The Graduate School Catalog states that a student given this status may not receive Graduate Assistantships, financial aid, or enroll for thesis/dissertation credits. The Graduate Dean will act as advisor for these students. No more than ten credits under Special Student status may be applied toward a degree. The last statement is important in that it will limit the number of credits students can take in CHRD before being formally accepted.
Step 2
Admission to the Counseling and Human Resource Development Department
- Prospective students need to make formal application to the CHRD Department. To be considered for formal admission, a file containing the following items must be submitted to the CHRD office by April 1 for Fall, and October 1 for Spring. Other arrangements may be made by contacting the Department Chair
- A one page goal statement including one or more of the following:
- Aspirations related to the field of counseling;
- One significant life event that contributed to the development of these aspirations;
- The single greatest personal asset that will serve you in realizing your aspirations;
- The one personal characteristic or quality that you most need to modify, improve, or change in order to realize your aspirations.
Goal statements that exceed one page will not be considered.
- A current resume that includes all previous work experience, volunteer service, and education that you feel have contributed to your desire to enter the counseling profession.
- Two completed CHRD Reference Evaluation Forms, which are available from the department. These Evaluation Forms are in lieu of the Graduate School Personal Reference Form.
- Applicants are required to attend an orientation and group interview held usually within onemonth after the October and April deadlines. Students whose applications are complete by the deadline will be notified by the departmental secretary regarding the specific date and place
of the interview.
Soon after the orientation and interview, each applicant will receive a letter granting or denying admission.
If granted admission students have one calender year from the time of acceptance to begin taking courses. Otherwise, a formal reapplication to CHRD is required.
If admission was not granted and the student has exceeded the 10 hours allowed as Special Student status, the student will be administratively dropped from counselor education courses in which she/he enrolls. However, those students who have not been admitted may want to consider reapplying during the next application period.
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