Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling

This degree does not lead to certification by the Alabama State Department of Education. Out-of-state students should check carefully the certification requirements of their respective states.

Program Admission Requirements

Phase I:  Graduate School Admission.

• Meet the requirements to be admitted to the School of Graduate Studies.
• Provide verification of background clearance/fingerprints.

Phase II:  Counseling Program Admissions Portfolio

Candidates must submit a portfolio to the Counselor Education Program for review.  The portfolio affords a candidate to provide valuable information regarding:

• Relevance of Career Goals
• Aptitude for Graduate-level study
• Potential success in forming effective counseling relationships
• Respect for Cultural differences.
• Resume including educational background, a record of employment, and volunteer activities.
• Professional Goals Essay
• Three completed Recommendation for Admission Forms.

I. Professional Courses: 9 hours

• CO 506. Life-Span Development and Learning (3)
• ED 504. Techniques of Educational Research (3)
• ED 506. Educational Statistics (3)

II. Concentration Courses: 39 hours

• CO 500. Professional Orientation (3)
• CO 508. Pre-Practicum in Counseling (3)
• CO 540. Introduction to School Counseling (3)
• CO 541. Techniques of Counseling (3)
• CO 542. Career Development and Counseling (3)
• CO 543. Counseling Children and Adolescents (3)
• CO 544. Strategies for Crisis Intervention (3)
• CO 545. Diagnostic Techniques in Counseling (3)
• CO 546. Group Counseling (3)
• CO 547. Counseling Multicultural Populations (3)
• CO 548. Practicum in School Counseling (3)
• CO 579. Internship in School Counseling (6)

Total Required: 48 hours

Note(s):

• This program is also offered online.

Program Completion Requirements

The student shall:

• Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or better in all courses in the approved program as verified on an official transcript with no grade less than “C.”
• Make a satisfactory score on a written comprehensive examination (Praxis II) documenting mastery of the curriculum of the program.