Counseling and Human Resource Development (M.S.) - College Counseling Specialization

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus, Rapid City

Advisor working with a student.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Katelyn Romsa, Associate Professor
School of Education, Counseling and Human Development
Thompson Center 119, Box 2214
605-688-6831

Program Information

The College Counseling Program is designed for students who are interested in working as professional counselors in institutions of higher education. Candidates selected for this program are expected to make a major commitment to graduate training and to enroll in coursework on a regular basis. The program includes a 600 clock-hour supervised counseling internship experience. The College Counseling Program emphasizes preventative, remediation, and developmental counseling skills. Students preparing to specialize as college counselors will demonstrate the knowledge skills necessary to promote the academic, career, personal, and social development of individuals in higher education settings.

The following statement is intended to identify the specific endorsement for students entering College Counseling: Upon successful completion of the core requirements, and those of the College Counseling specialization and with the successful completion of the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) exam, graduates are endorsed as having constructed appropriate entry level knowledge and as having met appropriate skill acquisition to be recognized as professional college counselors. Students in the College Counseling specialization are also responsible for having taken supporting area courses which supplement or enhance their chosen specialty.

The College Counseling course of study is designed to meet the requirements of the South Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners. Once graduates complete an approved supervised clinical experience and pass the appropriate examinations, they are eligible for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) initially, and eventually a Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health (LPC-MH).

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

The Master of Science in CHRD specializing in College Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Certification

All Master of Science students are eligible to begin the process for the National Certified Counselor certification by taking the NCE six months before or after they graduate.

Licensure

Graduation from this program does not grant immediate licensure as a counselor. Licensure differs by state and is obtainable by completing additional client contact hours after graduation. Students are responsible for researching licensure requirements for the state in which they plan to practice.

Course Delivery Format

Instruction occurs through didactic (classroom) and clinical experience. Most classes are enhanced with internet supplements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for competent ethical practice.
Demonstrate skills, knowledge, and awareness to counsel within a diverse society.
Describe and explain the process of change as expressed by individual and family counseling theories across the lifespan.
Identify and describe theories and models of career development, counseling, and decision-making.
Demonstrate essential interviewing, counseling, and conceptualizing skills.
Identify and apply approaches used for various types of group work.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts of standardized testing and other assessment techniques.
Discern evidence-based counseling practices.
Create an artifact with input from collegiate level professionals to promote the holistic success of individuals in higher education settings.

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Master of Science	Thesis	60 Credit Hours
	Non-Thesis	60 Credit Hours

Core Requirements

CHRD 601 - Introduction to Professional Issues and Ethics Credits: 1
CHRD 602 - Research and Evaluation in Counseling and Human Development Credits: 3
or EDER 610 - Introduction to Research Credits: 3
CHRD 610 - Developmental Issues in Counseling Credits: 3
CHRD 661 - Theories of Counseling Credits: 3
CHRD 701 - Professional Issues and Ethics II Credits: 1
CHRD 731 - Multicultural Counseling and Human Relations Credits: 3
CHRD 736 - Appraisal of the Individual Credits: 3
CHRD 741 - Crisis Counseling Credits: 3
CHRD 742 - Career Counseling and Planning Credits: 3
CHRD 755 - Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Credits: 4
CHRD 766 - Group Counseling Credits: 3
CHRD 770 - Student Development: Theory and Practice Credits: 3
CHRD 771 - Student Personnel Services Credits: 3
CHRD 772 - Administration and Leadership in Student Affairs Credits: 3
CHRD 773 - Current Issues in Academic Advising and Student Affairs Credits: 3
CHRD 785 - Pre-Practicum Credits: 3
CHRD 786 - Counseling Practicum Credits: 3-5 (3 credits required)
CHRD 794 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-6 (6 credits required)

Select one of the following options

Thesis

CHRD 798 - Thesis (COM) Credits: 1-6 (5 credits required)
Electives Credits: 1

Non-Thesis

Electives Credits: 6

Total Credits Required: 60 (Thesis & Non-Thesis)

Additional Program Requirements

All Master of Science students are required to purchase and carry professional liability insurance throughout the duration of the program. M.Ed. students will be required to purchase and carry professional liability insurance if enrolled in clinical courses.
Clinical course registration is completed by the department.
Students enrolled in the M.S. 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.

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: 79 Internet-based
TOEFL Essentials: 8.5
IELTS: 6.5
Duolingo: 110

Formal Application Process

In addition to applying for Graduate School, applicants must also apply to the CHRD program by April 1 for fall admission or by October 1 for spring admission. Admission is competitive; late applications will not be considered. Students have one calendar year from the time of acceptance to begin taking courses otherwise formal re-application to the CHRD program is required.

The CHRD department requires all applicants to submit the documents below by the appropriate admission deadline:

CHRD Disclosure Statement
Resume
A typed, one-page goal statement discussing your aspirations to the counseling field.
Two completed CHRD Recommendation Forms (do not use the Graduate School reference forms).

Based on the rating score of the applicant’s file, the applicant will either be invited to the group screening interview to continue the admissions process or denied admission.

Criminal Background Check Requirement

Applicants who successfully complete the interview will be required to successfully complete and pay for a criminal background check before an official offer of admission is secured.

General Requirements

Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate coursework. For additional information, refer to the Master’s Degree Requirements .