Students will take the core program, including electives relating to the chosen area of concentration; the comprehensive examination, which is an integral part of the program; and demonstrate proficiency in counseling skills during a one semester Practicum and a two-semester Internship. A total of forty-eight (48) credits is required for the degree. A description of each course can be found in the Graduate Studies Course Catalog.

Comprehensive Examination

Students may take up to six years to complete the program; a student's program begins at the time the first course, transfer or otherwise, is taken. The program does accept new students in the Spring and Summer sessions, but the typical student is accepted for the Fall semester and courses are scheduled accordingly. A thesis is not required, but may be done in lieu of six credits of elective study.

Courses are arranged in a three-level sequence. CHR 8605 - Lab in Counseling Skills , CHR 8655 - Lab in Group Dynamics and CHR 8687 - Counseling Theory & Prac must be taken within the first 12 hours of graduate work and are prerequisites to Practicum Experience. It is strongly preferred that students take CHR 8688 - Community Couns Orientation or CHR 8680 - School Counseling Orientation prior to Practicum Experience, but may take the course concurrently with the Practicum Experience. Students are strongly urged to complete Level I and Level II course work before beginning their Internship.
 

The Sequential Planning Chart is to be used as a guide for planning when to take courses throughout the program.
School Counseling Sequential Planning Chart
School Counseling 2 Year Full-Time Planning Guide
Community Counseling Sequential Planning Chart
Community Counseling 2 Year Full-Time Planning Guide

Important Notes:
• Students who plan on completing the program in two years are strongly encouraged to take the CHR Orientation Class and CHR Counseling Skills during summer session II of the summer they are accepted to the program.
• In planning a course of study, it is important for students to be aware that several courses may be offered only once a year.
• Only a limited number of courses are offered during summer sessions.
• Courses offered as requirements in one area of specialization may be taken as electives by students in other areas of specialization.
• CHR 8655 - Lab in Group Dynamics ; CHR 8605 - Lab in Counseling Skills ; CHR 8678 - Intro to Human Services are prerequisites for several courses.
• CHR 8605 - Lab in Counseling Skills is a prerequisite for CHR 8840 - Crisis Interventions
• CHR 8655 - Lab in Group Dynamics is a prerequisite for CHR 8686 - Group Couns Theo & Pract
• CHR 8686 - Group Couns Theo & Pract is a prerequisite for CHR 8695 - Co-facilitating Groups
• CHR 7132 - Eth & Leg Issues in Counseling (1 Credit) is required for all students and must be completed before they begin their practicum.