Program Mission: The M. S. in Counseling provides dynamic curricula for students interested in obtaining certification as School counselors or licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPC). Students choose a concentration either in Clinical Mental Health or School Counseling, both accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). These concentrations lead to a terminal degree and prepare students for employment either as School Counselors within K‐12 school systems or as Clinical Mental Health Counselors within mental health agencies, health care facilities, employee assistance programs (EAP), or human service agencies. Students who complete the program are eligible to pursue Ph.D./Ed.D. studies in Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and other related fields or to pursue specialized training in Marriage and Family Counseling, Play Therapy, or Private Practice.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”). In addition, students must:

• Complete and submit the departmental admission application;
• Submit two departmental recommendation forms from individuals familiar with applicant’s academic or work performance. (The department prefers academic reference if possible.);
• Deadline for submitting materials: See department web site for specific deadline date (typically mid-February).
• Based on application material supplied by departmental deadline, applicants will be invited to attend a Pre-Admission/Orientation Interview approximately two weeks after deadline for submitting materials (see department web site for specific date). If  not selected for an interview, you may request your file to be held for next year’s review.

Admission requirements for Post Master’s students seeking alternative certification as a School Counselor: Post Master’s students seeking alternative certification as a School Counselor are required to request a transcript analysis by the department and meet admission requirements listed above.

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.

Program Course Restriction: Courses 5540 and above are open only to students who have been admitted to the Department of Counseling and Higher Education or who have permission of the Department Chair.