Counselor Education (M.S.Ed.)

Indiana University
Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.)

College of Education and Public Policy
James E. Burg, Interim Dean
James E. Burg, Graduate Program Director
260-481-4146 ~ ipfw.edu/educ ~ Neff Hall 250

The counselor education program provides the following options:

• Agency/marriage and family therapy counseling consists of 54 credits and can be completed in three years.
• School counseling consists of 51 credits and can be completed in three years.

Each of the above options emphasizes:

• Theory, skills, and strategies of counseling
• Research on counseling issues
• Supervised counseling experience (on-campus practicums and off-campus internship).

Acceptance to the Counselor Education Program

Acceptance to the program is available only for the Fall Semester. Preference is given to applications received on or before April 1. To be considered, you must provide the following materials with your application for admission to graduate study in education:

• A completed counselor education program application form, official transcripts from all colleges you have attended, three references, and copies of all applicable licenses
• A current résumé or curriculum vitae
• A statement, approximately two pages in length, that summarizes your
  
  • Professional goals, including preferred professional setting(s), examples of typical employment activities, and any specialized interests
  • Past experiences contributing to the development of your cited professional goals
  • Unique skills and characteristics aiding your pursuit of your cited goals

After the dean of the College of Education and Public Policy has determined that you qualify for admission to graduate study in education, your application to the counselor education program and the additional material you have provided will be referred to the director of counselor education. The director and appropriate faculty will evaluate your demonstrated academic ability and evidence of your aptitude for working with people. You will also be required to participate in group and personal interviews. Applicants are accepted to the program with the stipulation they adhere to the curriculum of their elected option.

Conditional Acceptance

At the recommendation of the counseling program faculty, applicants with undergraduate GPAs below 3.2 (4.0=A) and/or limited applicable work experience may be accepted to the program contingent on their maintaining a GPA of 3.5 for their first year of course work (Summer II, Fall , Spring, Summer I) in the counselor education program. The GRE can be taken by students whose GPA falls below 3.2 to strengthen their case for admission.

Comprehensive Examination

You must pass a comprehensive examination before you will be permitted to graduate. The examination covers the following elements: professional orientation, the helping relationship, groups, appraisal, research, social and cultural foundations, human development, and career counseling. This examination is graded on a pass/no-pass basis. If necessary, you may retake the exam once. Specialty sections for each master’s degree program are also included.

Supervised Experience

The counselor education program requires the following supervised counseling experience with clients:

On-Campus Practicums

You must enroll in and satisfactorily complete two practicums (for school) and three practicums (for agency/marriage and family therapy) in the IPFW Community Counseling Center. Your work in these courses will be observed and evaluated by a team of faculty and peers and closely supervised by selected faculty.

Counseling Internship

For the school counseling option, all students must complete a 600-hour counseling internship in an accredited K – 12 school. Students pursuing the agency/marriage and family therapy counseling option must complete 500 face-to-face client contact hours divided between the internship and the three practicums in an approved agency setting. Before you are permitted to work with clients, you must:

• Earn a minimum grade of B in each of two specified preparatory, practicum courses; and
• Comply with the Ethical Standards of the American School Counseling Association or the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Your specific responsibilities in the client/counselor relationship are detailed in the following school publications: Graduate Student Orientation Handbook and The Counselor Education Program Handbook. You are expected to conduct yourself professionally, uphold confidentiality, avoid dual relationships with clients, and refrain from any unsupervised counseling activities. Your failure to meet these expectations will result in your censure or dismissal from the program.

Licensing

Completion of the school counseling option may lead to a School Counselor educator license for the State of Indiana. Completion of the agency/marriage and family therapy option may lead to subsequent licensure in marriage and family therapy, as well as mental health counseling, pending completion of additional state requirements (see counselor education faculty for more details).