Department of Counseling

 

Admission

Before Applying: The counseling program has admission requirements and procedures in addition to those applicable to Graduate Studies as a whole, and prospective candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the department office in KH 421 regarding these admission requirements and procedures. One such exception from the general graduate studies procedures are different admission deadlines for counseling. The department will supply detailed descriptions of choices, opportunities, requirements and responsibilities.

Candidates are admitted to the programs in counseling twice each year. Applications should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies by October 1 for admission to the spring semester, and by March 1 for summer school or fall semesters. Candidates should also notify the counseling department by the above dates that they have applied for admission.

Admission to the counseling department involves a several step process: an application data form, tests, references, writing sample, and an interview. The candidate's application is reviewed by the department's admission committee. The review may take several weeks. Candidates should plan to have all application materials submitted by the above deadline dates.

Admission decisions are based on the candidate's demonstrated potential for successful graduate work, professional training, and success in the field. Submission of all required materials and documentation is not a guarantee of acceptance.

The specific application materials required for admission to a master's program include the following:

First , the candidate needs to apply for admission to the Graduate College. The procedure for doing this appears at " Admissions ". A graduate application, transcripts, as well as fees are included in this process as a part of the Graduate College's admission procedure. The student will receive a department application as their applications are forwarded to our department from the Office of Graduate Studies.

Second , the counseling department application process includes the following:

  1. Scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller's Analogy Test (MAT) which are no older than two years.
  2. Personal Data form.
  3. Writing sample.
  4. Three letters of references from persons who can speak for the candidate's professional competence and academic ability.
  5. Scores from a personality inventory.
  6. Group interview results.

Applicants must have completed 15 undergraduate or graduate hours in behavioral science, not including counseling courses.

Undergraduate candidates interested in non-school counseling (Community, Gerontology, and Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education) are advised to take a minimum of 15 hours of behavioral sciences as described in the Arts & Sciences section of the UNO Undergraduate Catalog.

Applicants for the elementary and secondary school programs must have a minimum of two years full-time teaching experience or the equivalent. Two years of teaching experience is required for Nebraska certification.

Please be aware that notification of acceptance by a department graduate program committee is advisory only; admission is granted solely by the Dean for Graduate Studies.

Programs

Candidates obtain a master's degree in counseling with an area of concentration. Current concentration areas include:

  • Elementary School Counseling

  • Secondary School Counseling
    (Both these concentration areas require current teaching certificates for endorsement as a counselor in Nebraska or Iowa), plus a minimum of two years full-time teaching experience or the equivalent. Two years is required for Nebraska certification.
  • Community Counseling

  • Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education

  • Counseling in Gerontology

Successful completion of internship and comprehensive exam are requirements for graduation. Graduates are recommended only for positions consistent with the concentration they completed.

Note : All graduate students must take an abnormal psychology course (3 hours) either at the graduate or undergraduate level prior to graduation. Check with the state where you are anticipating practice, to note if the course needs to be a graduate level course or if undergraduate is acceptable for credential/licensure requirements. This course (3 credit hours) does not count as part of the 48 hour degree program requirement.

Candidates are admitted and permitted to continue programs in counseling on the basis of their potential for successful training and professional practice. Candidates are evaluated with respect to their suitability for continuation in the program prior to taking the Counseling Practicum or Internship courses. Specific course and grade requirements to take Practicum courses are available in the counseling department office.

The Elementary School, Secondary School, and Community concentrations are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the national accrediting agency for Counselor Education programs.

Ethical Conduct

It should be understood that academic performance is not the only criterion for continuation in the program or for graduation. Candidates are expected to maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct pertaining to academic course work, professional practice and research activity. Any breach in the ethical conduct shall be subject to disciplinary action, regardless of the candidate's prior or current academic performance, see the "American Counseling Association Code of Ethics" for specific guidelines.

Degree Programs

The following are generalized overviews. Specific information and individual program design can only be finalized through consultation with an advisor.


Master of Arts

The MA degree includes a thesis in lieu of a written comprehensive examination. Candidates who anticipate work on a doctorate are particularly encouraged to consider the M.A. degree.

Master of Science

Programs of study for the Master of Science degree are determined in relation to the candidate's previous course work, experience and anticipated work setting. Most programs of study, however, will closely approximate one of the outlines given below. At least one research course is required of all candidates and Abnormal Psychology (graduate or undergraduate) or equivalent course. A master's degree in counseling may not be completed in less than two years of study and a minimum of 48 semester hours.

For more information...

about the graduate program in counseling, please call (402) 554-2727.