Program Overview
The curriculum of the Master of Science in counselor education is designed to build a strong foundation for graduates entering the counseling professions. The clinical mental health counseling concentration provides coursework that is necessary to apply for licensure in the State of Mississippi as a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and coursework that is necessary to apply to become a nationally certified counselor (NCC). All applicants for licensure must pass the corresponding licensure examination, experience requirements, and corresponding licensing agency requirements before becoming licensed.
The goals for the Master of Science in counselor education at William Carey University, Tradition Campus are to provide:
- an understanding of issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society;
- excellent instruction and expertise in the skills of counseling that will prepare students for employment;
- experiences that develop a strong professional counselor identity among students and faculty; and
- quality programs that challenge students to excel in scholarship, leadership, and service in a diverse global society.
Program Admission Requirements
To fulfill requirements for admission to the Master of Science in counselor education degree programs, students must:
- hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
- have an undergraduate cumulative GPA > 2.5 or have a GPA > 3.0 on the last 30 hours of coursework;
- submit a current resume and statement of professional counseling career goals;
- submit two letters of recommendation from non-family members;
- complete the graduate school application that includes official transcripts, GRE scores (less than five years old with verbal and quantitative sub-scores) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores (less than five years old), and complete the counselor education informed consent checklist;
- have completed coursework that reflects adequate preparation for pursuing an advanced degree in clinical mental health counseling or school counseling (general psychology or educational psychology, counseling theory, and statistics); and
- have made up any deficiencies in undergraduate course preparation prior to the completion of the first 18 credit hours of graduate coursework.
Nondegree Admission
A student who holds a master’s degree from an institution with comparable admission requirements may be accepted as a nondegree or continuing education student in order to take specific courses for licensure and/or certification. Should such an individual seek to become a degree seeking student, all requirements for regular admission as a degree student must be met. Students who hold a master’s degree and seek a second degree or additional credentials will have an individual program designed to ensure an appropriate theoretical and practical background. A minimum of 18 semester hours must be earned at William Carey University in order to obtain institutional recommendation
Transfer Credit
No more than nine credit hours may be transferred from another institution. Transferred credits will be applicable only if they contribute to the plan of study designed for the student. No graduate work carrying a grade of less than ‘B’ will be accepted. All transfer credits must meet the six-year limit on the completion of the degree. Independent study credit earned at another institution will not be accepted.
Dual Enrollment
Students may not be enrolled simultaneously in the M.S. in counselor education and any other graduate degree program.
Program Progression and Graduation Requirements
Program Progression Requirements
- All application materials (application fee, official transcripts, official test score reports, resume, statement of professional counseling career goals, counselor education informed consent checklist) should be submitted to the William Carey University office of graduate admissions no later than three weeks prior to the beginning of classes.
- All work for the degree must be completed within a period not to exceed six years.
Practicum and Internship
Students must submit a signed practicum/internship agreement, site supervisor agreement, and a copy of his/her current liability insurance by the end of the second week of the trimester preceding registration for the practicum/internship. Lack of any of these documents at that time will prevent practicum/internship registration. Note: the initial sign-up is not registering for the practicum or internship. The initial sign-up signifies your intent for the upcoming trimester. Students must complete this sign-up before registration for the next trimester.
Advisement
The faculty will schedule a mandatory orientation session for entering students each trimester. The orientation meeting will provide students with the opportunity to receive a student handbook, an academic advisor assignment, and opportunities to ask questions concerning the program. While each student is assigned an advisor, it is the student’s responsibility to comply with all degree requirements.
Professional Conduct
The graduate program in counselor education is designed to prepare professional counselors to practice in community mental health centers, mental health institutions and agencies, primary care settings, private practice, and K-12 school counseling settings. The most recent edition of the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics binds all counselors. Violations of this code may result in revocation of credentials or dismissal from a job. As part of the training provided by William Carey University, all students are required to be familiar with and adhere to local, state, and federal laws, and rules and regulations of the university. Violations of any of these may result in disciplinary actions, including, but not limited to dismissal from the graduate program.
Class Attendance
Graduate students are expected to attend all class meetings. However, an absence may be granted in case of an emergency. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor regarding the absence, and the student is responsible for all work missed. Students who miss more than two classes will automatically fail the course.
Change of Concentration
Students who desire to change emphasis areas must submit a new application form, meet requirements in this catalog for the program, receive approval of the advisor, and be admitted to the new concentration by the admissions committee.
Financial Information
Mississippi students may finance their program of study in a variety of methods. The program of study requires an important investment of time and finances. Scholarships, veterans’ administration benefits, and loans are sources of funding. Additional information regarding need-based loans may be obtained by contacting the university’s financial aid office. Tuition may change without prior notice.
Graduation Requirements
- Students must have successfully completed the approved plan of study with a GPA > 3.0 and no more than two ‘C’s within a six-year time frame.
- Time extensions and course substitutions are considered on an individual basis.
Credentialing Disclosure
Completion of a degree program does not guarantee credentialing. Individuals who are seeking licensure or certification must satisfy all requirements of the various credentialing boards. Such students should contact the appropriate board to obtain requirements prior to enrolling in a program at William Carey University. It is the student’s responsibility to satisfy these requirements.
