Counseling, School Counseling, M.Ed.

The School Counseling track is designed to prepare school counselors at the elementary and secondary levels. This program track has been approved by the State Board of Education for the Alabama Class A Certificate in School Counseling. Students graduating with this major may become employed in public schools or private schools, educationally-oriented community agencies, and innovative school programs that may operate within treatment centers.  

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 such as internship, volunteer experience, or employment in a related service setting, two letters of reference, and an interview. When a cohort has filled, interested candidates may be offered and encouraged to pursue admission for a subsequent term.  

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; 

• An effectively written Professional Essay related to why one wants to pursue a degree and career in counseling;  

• 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; and 

• 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, which is in part, a sample of one’s writing skills.. This essay should be 4 to 6 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 Program’s 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 

• Maintain a minimum 3.25 (4.0 scale) program GPA.   
• Minimum passing grade for all courses of a C or better (excludes practicum & internship courses)
• Once a semester, the Counseling Faculty review student progress and evaluate student performance related to Program Objectives and Program Professional Dispositions.

Completion Requirements 

• Minimum grade of B or better in EDC 541  and EDC 581  or EDC 586 )
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) for all program coursework
• Passing score on the Counseling Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE). *Students who do not pass the CPCE in three attempts or less will result in consultation with the Counseling faculty to discuss a remediation plan or test strategy.
• Passing score on the Counseling PRAXIS exam
• School Counseling majors who will apply for certification through the CACREP approach (those who do not have teaching experience or hold a professional educator certificate) will be required to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) to become certified by the Alabama State Department of Education.
• Students must complete their 60 credit hours within 6 years from the starting semester within which they began the Program.