Counseling and Human Development

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Program Description

The Department of Counseling and Human Development offers graduate programs leading to degrees in Masters of Science and Masters of Education. The department’s Counseling and Human Resource Development programs are designed to develop professional skills and competencies expected of qualified counselors in school, rehabilitation, higher education, or clinical settings. These include but are not limited to: intervention and assessment strategies appropriate for master’s-level counselors, individual and group counseling competencies, professional responsibility, and self-knowledge and self-development. The specialization in Student Affairs Administration is designed for those who seek professional roles in student affairs or related areas of higher education in any postsecondary setting. The administrative emphasis will build skills based on both theory and experience.

Master of Science

Counseling and Human Resource Development

The MS specializing in School Counseling, and College Student Personnel Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

The MS specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP) under the 2001 standards for Community Counseling. The accreditation runs until March 31, 2017. The CACREP 2009 standards combine the Community Counseling and Mental Health Counseling standards into standards for Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs. The CHRD program intends to seek accreditation for this program as a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program when it comes up for reaccreditation, per CACREP guidelines.

The MS specializing in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). This program is designed to prepare graduates to be eligible for licensure in counseling (LPC) and certification through the Commission for Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).

Master of Education

Counseling and Human Resource Development

The MEd specialization in Administration of Student Affairs meets the guidelines of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS). This program prepares graduates seeking professional roles in student affairs or related areas of higher education in any post secondary setting.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Students enrolled in the CHRD program need to complete a practicum and an approved internship. These experiences allow students to learn by doing, with active, sound supervision. The practicum and internship experiences carry clock and credit hour completion expectations. For example, for every 3 credits of internship, students are required to complete 20 hours per week of on-site experience. In addition, regular work expectations outside the classroom exist for every credit hour enrolled. Thus, students enrolled in 3 credits of internship or practicum experience will be considered part-time. Students enrolled in 4 credits of internship or 3 credits of practicum plus other courses to total 4 semester credits will be considered full-time.

Master of Science	Option A
	Option B
	Option C
Master of Education	36 Credits

Core Requirements

Select the program to review requirements.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization

College Counseling Specialization

Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Specialization

School Counseling Specialization

Administration of Student Affairs Specialization (M.Ed.)

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Department requirement of 525 paper-based, 197 computer-based, 71 Internet-based

In addition to the online Graduate School application, applicants must submit the documents below to the CHRD program office by April 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission and attend a formal screening and orientation interview.

1.    CHRD Disclosure Statement
2.    Resume
3.    A typed, one page goal statement discussing your aspirations to the counseling field
4.    Two completed CHRD Recommendation Forms

Note: The disclosure statement and recommendation forms can be downloaded at www.sdstate.edu/chd/chrd/admissions.

Students whose applications are complete and ranked highly by the CHRD Admissions committee will be notified by email regarding the specific date and place of the interview. The screening and orientation interview is the final step in the CHRD application process and determines the applicant’s acceptance or denial to the program. If granted admission, students have one calendar year from the time of acceptance to begin taking courses otherwise formal re-application to the CHRD program is required.

General Requirements (Master’s Degree)

Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate work.

See Masters Degree Requirements .

Course Offerings

Counseling and Human Resource Development (CHRD) Course Offerings