Counseling, School Counseling, M.Ed.

Counseling Program Admission and Application Requirements

Program Admission

The graduate Counseling program has two admission cycles each year for the fall and spring semesters. The admission process is competitive based on admission criteria related to previous academic performance, an essay, related work, internship or volunteer experience in a related service setting, two letters of reference, and an interview. When a cohort has filled, interested candidates may be offered the option to apply for subsequent admission terms. 

Application Requirements

• An undergraduate bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• A recommended undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 or higher
• A successful interview with program faculty
• A professional essay
• Two letters of reference from an academic supporter and/or someone who has observed the applicant’s work at a job, internship, or volunteer site. Letters should be on letterhead and submitted by the referring individual
• Evidence of a clear criminal background check

As noted in the above admission requirements for graduate study, applicants to the Counseling program must submit a professional essay. This essay should be four to six paragraphs in length and contain a brief statement of long-range professional goals in counseling. The applicant’s name and preferred major should be included at the top of the essay. This essay will be used by the Programs Admission Committee in selecting applicants for the program, and no application will be reviewed without the essay. In addition, an interview with the counseling faculty will be required. Applicants will be contacted regarding the scheduling of this interview after all other application materials have been received. A candidate must also present evidence of a clear criminal background check.

Program Retention

Students enrolled in the School Counseling (SC) Track are required to maintain a minimum 3.25 grade point average to comply with ALSDE requirements for completion and certification. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.25, then the student will be placed on academic warning status. 

The minimum passing grade for a graduate course is C. Once a semester, the counseling faculty reviews all student files to evaluate student performance of Program Objectives and Program Professional Dispositions. Students receive notifications of the outcome of reviews regarding their progress in the program through letters of satisfactory progress, letters of exceptional progress, or letters of concern. Behaviors of concern include, but are not limited to, excessive tardiness or absenteeism; academic problems; disrespectful behaviors toward other students, faculty, staff, guest speakers, and clinical supervisors; impairments such as signs of substance abuse; unprofessional behavior; and violations of ethical standards or making statements inconsistent with the ethical standards of the American Counseling Association.

Completion Requirements

Students in the School Counseling concentration who began their program prior to fall 2021 may elect to complete a 48-credit hour or 60-credit hour degree. All students admitted after fall 2021 will complete a 60-credit hour program.  The distinction between these two options is a result of changes in the regulatory code enacted by the State of Alabama related to qualifications for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Effective Jan. 1, 2022, all counselors who are seeking or who intend to seek licensure in Alabama must have 60-credit hours of graduate counseling coursework. If a current student with an SC concentration admitted prior to fall 2021, wishes to become a Licensed Professional Counselor, they should complete the 60-credit hour program. Additionally, SC majors must complete their internship in a SACS-accredited school setting and earn a passing score on the Praxis II examination to qualify for certification as a Professional School Counselor with the Alabama State Department of Education. Students in the School Counseling concentration will be required to take a special-education course if they have not previously done so. 

Students in the School Counseling track must complete their internship in a school setting in order to qualify for the Class A Certificate in School Counseling. School Counseling students must also earn a passing score on the Praxis II in order to qualify for certification. Students in the School Counseling track will be required to take a special-education course if they have not previously done so. In addition, all students must earn a satisfactory score on a comprehensive examination, the Counseling Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE), covering the eight content areas required by CACREP. Students who do not pass CPCE in three attempts or less will be required to complete remediation determined by program faculty prior to a subsequent attempt. Each subsequent attempt will require additional remediation. A passing score must be achieved within the 6-year limit for degree completion. The passing score is 80 + Standard Error of Measurement S for the test administration. Students will be required to enroll in EDC 502  and EDC 515  concurrently during their first semester in the program unless otherwise specified by their faculty adviser. Students must earn a minimum grade of B in EDC 541  (Practicum) in order to enroll in the Internship (EDC 581 , EDC 582  or EDC 586 ). A grade of B or better is required in EDC 581  and students must maintain an institutional GPA of 3.25. Students must earn a C or better in all other course work attempted.

Curriculum Outline (60 credit hours required)