Counseling, M.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Counseling Program Director: Shirlyn Garrett-Wilson

Graduate Faculty: Dena High-Rogers, Shirlyn Garrett-Wilson, Karen McCurtis-Witherspoon

The Counseling Graduate Program in the Department of Psychology offers graduate study leading to a Master of Arts degree in Counseling. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to both counseling programs of Chicago State University: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) and School Counseling (MA).

The Counseling Graduate Program is designed to train students as counselors so they can work in a variety of settings with an emphasis on working with urban youth and their families. It is also designed as a predoctoral study program in counselor education and supervision, counseling, or counseling psychology. Graduates of the School Track are eligible to work as counselors in school settings. Graduates of the Clinical Mental Health Track are eligible to work as counselors in a variety of community settings. Both programs currently qualify students to sit for examinations for National Certified Counselor (NCC). The Clinical Mental Health and School Tracks currently qualify students for Illinois Licensure for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). The requirements for these examinations are subject to change, and additional requirements may be added. Completion of the master’s degree program in counseling (School Track) qualifies students for a Professional Educator License (PEL) with endorsement as a School Counselor. School Counseling Licensure requires the successful completion of the Illinois School Counselor Content-Area Test. Students with a master’s degree in counseling or a related field who want only an endorsement and licensure in school counseling must satisfy all the requirements of the school counseling degree. The Endorsement in School Counseling Certificate Program has 42 hours of prerequisites and 18 hours of additional required course work (totaling 60 hours). More information about the program can be obtained in the Chicago State University Master of Arts in Counseling Student Handbook.

Admission Requirements

Priority consideration requires the submission of an application, official transcript(s), and two reference forms (one from either a college instructor or supervisor at work) to CSU Office of Graduate Studies by March 1 for the fall semester. Applications continue to be accepted until the posted deadline for the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies (currently July 15). Applications received after this date are considered for the following Spring semester.
Completion of six credit hours of prerequisite courses, which must include three credit hours in developmental psychology and psychological statistics (with a grade of B or better in at least one). A student may be granted conditional admission until the prerequisites are met.
A minimum GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) for the final 60 hours of undergraduate work. Applicants whose grade point average is above 2.75 and but has other deficiencies may qualify for conditional admission.
Successful completion of a written essay and personal interview with faculty for the purpose of assessing oral communication, writing, interpersonal skills, and the applicant’s potential for the counseling field.
Applicants for the School Counseling Track or the Endorsement in School Counseling Certificate Program must have a valid Professional Educator License (PEL) or they must take the course ED 5820 (Educational Fundamentals in School Counseling) as a program prerequisite. Students who do not have a valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) may be admitted conditionally pending successful completion of the education course within the first year. (Please see http://www.isbe.net/licensure/html/testing.htm for the current licensure requirements).
Due to limited class size, not all qualified applicants may be accepted.

Degree and Program Requirements

Completion of all required and elective courses at the graduate level, accumulating at least 60 credit hours for the School Track or 60 credit hours for the Clinical Mental Health Track, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Students must successfully pass Comprehensive Examinations (Part 1-Objective and Part 2-Essay).
Acceptance into candidacy before completing clinical courses.
Completion of all clinical courses (COUN 5790 , COUN 5950 , COUN 5990 or COUN 5991 ) with a grade of B or better. Students must successfully complete a Practicum (Field Experience) of 100 clock hours and an internship of 600 clock hours (school) or 900 clock hours (clinical mental health).
Students in the School Counseling Program must pass the Illinois School Counselor Content-Area Test prior to internship. All degree requirements must be completed within six years.

Specific Requirements for Programs

Option I - School Track (Total 60 hours)

Core Courses (48 credit hours):

COUN 5600 - Introduction to School Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5640 - Counseling Theories and Ethics Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5650 - Microcounseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5660 - Advanced Theories of Lifespan Development Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5670 - Principles and Techniques of Group Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5710 - Multicultural Issues in Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5720 - Life Style and Career Development Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5730 - Techniques of Assessment and Diagnosis Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5740 - Treatment Interventions in Urban Youth and Families Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5746 - Counseling Across the Lifespan Techniques Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5750 - Introduction to Family Systems Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5780 - Advanced School Counseling Applications Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5800 - Research Statistics and Program Evaluation Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5810 - Theories and Practice of Addictions Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5840 - Advanced Psychopathology Credit Hours: 3

Clinical Courses (12 credit hours):

COUN 5790 - Pre-Practicum Counseling Laboratory Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5950 - Practicum in Counseling II Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5990 - Internship in School Counseling Credit Hours: 3 to 6 (for six credit hours)

Elective Courses (3 credit hours):

5500-level courses or higher, selected with advisor’s approval

Requirement:

Students must successfully pass the Illinois School Counselor Content Area exam within the current time limit set by the State of Illinois prior to enrolling in COUN 5990 .

Option II - Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track (Total 60 hours)

Core Courses (45 credit hours):

COUN 5611 - Principles in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5640 - Counseling Theories and Ethics Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5650 - Microcounseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5660 - Advanced Theories of Lifespan Development Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5670 - Principles and Techniques of Group Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5710 - Multicultural Issues in Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5720 - Life Style and Career Development Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5730 - Techniques of Assessment and Diagnosis Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5740 - Treatment Interventions in Urban Youth and Families Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5746 - Counseling Across the Lifespan Techniques Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5750 - Introduction to Family Systems Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5755 - Treatment Planning and Advanced Counseling Applications Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5800 - Research Statistics and Program Evaluation Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5810 - Theories and Practice of Addictions Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5840 - Advanced Psychopathology Credit Hours: 3

Clinical Courses (15 credit hours):

COUN 5790 - Pre-Practicum Counseling Laboratory Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5950 - Practicum in Counseling II Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5991 - Internship in Community Counseling Credit Hours: 3 to 9 (for 9 credit hours)

Thesis Option

A thesis equivalent project is completed by all students as part of the requirements in the COUN 5800 - Research Statistics and Program Evaluation . Students complete a research proposal that includes engaging in a review of the literature, formulating research questions and or/hypotheses, choosing appropriate sampling and data collection methods, analytical strategies, and providing implications. Students who are interested in conducting an empirical investigation, or students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree after graduating from the Counseling Graduate Program are strongly encouraged to register for COUN 5992 - Thesis in Guidance and Counseling . More information about this option can be obtained by contacting an advisor at (773) 995-2359.

Bilingual Specialization

Students accepted into the Clinical Mental Health or School Counseling Programs, as well as the Endorsement in School Counseling Certificate Program, may apply for a Bilingual Specialization. The Bilingual Specialization requires that a candidate complete SPAN 5101 - Helping Hispanic Families with a grade of B or better, satisfy the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) requirements for the Advanced Plus Level in Spanish, and complete a practicum in a school or community setting serving Latinx clients. The Foreign Languages and Literature Department of Chicago State University will initially screen language proficiency. Final testing for the language requirements will be conducted by ACTFL. Students interested in obtaining the Bilingual Specialization can request an application from the Counseling Graduate Program.

Endorsement in School Counseling

Important note about admission to the endorsement program:

Given the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) requirements for faculty-student ratios, only a limited number of students can be admitted to this program. Priority will be given to graduates from the Chicago State University Counseling Program who are seeking an endorsement in school counseling. All students interested in applying for this program must have a Master’s in counseling or a closely related field.

Summary Description of Program: The purpose of this certificate program, an 18-credit-hour graduate sequence (with 42 hours of prerequisites), is to provide a Professional Educator License with an endorsement in School Counseling for students with a master’s degree in counseling or a closely related field. Some students entering the program will already have a master’s in School Counseling and others may have a master’s in Community Counseling or a related degree. Applicants for the program must have a valid Illinois Professional Educator License, or they must take the course ED 5820 Educational Fundamentals in School Counseling as a program prerequisite within the first year of the endorsement program. Students who do not have a valid Illinois Professional Educator License may be admitted conditionally, pending successful completion of the education course within the first year. The program prerequisites and requirements will meet all the criteria necessary for endorsement in School Counseling. The program emphasizes the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) School Counseling Model, strong clinical training, and applied field practice as a school counselor in an elementary and high school setting.

The certificate must be completed in three years.

Program Prerequisites:

COUN 5600 - Introduction to School Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5660 - Advanced Theories of Lifespan Development Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5710 - Multicultural Issues in Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5720 - Life Style and Career Development Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5650 - Microcounseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5640 - Counseling Theories and Ethics Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5730 - Techniques of Assessment and Diagnosis Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5670 - Principles and Techniques of Group Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5746 - Counseling Across the Lifespan Techniques Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5750 - Introduction to Family Systems Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5810 - Theories and Practice of Addictions Counseling Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5840 - Advanced Psychopathology Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5950 - Practicum in Counseling II Credit Hours: 3 (must have completed a minimum of 100 hours of practicum with direct clinical service to children and adolescents).

Program Requirements starting Fall 2020 or later (18 credit hours)

COUN 5740 - Treatment Interventions in Urban Youth and Families Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5780 - Advanced School Counseling Applications Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5790 - Pre-Practicum Counseling Laboratory Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5800 - Research Statistics and Program Evaluation Credit Hours: 3
COUN 5990 - Internship in School Counseling Credit Hours: 3 to 6 (6 credit hours)

Requirement:

Students must successfully pass the Illinois School Counselor Content Area exam within the current time limit set by the State of Illinois prior to enrolling in COUN 5990 .