MS in Counseling

The Department of Psychology and Counseling offers the Master of Science degree in Counseling. The program prepares individuals to function professionally as school counselors and as treatment providers in mental health agencies, substance abuse facilities, employee assistance programs, career counseling and employment centers, and therapeutic group homes.

The school counseling component of the program is approved by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education Certification and meets the certification requirements of the District of Columbia Public Schools. The 48 hours of coursework required for completion of the degree program also fulfills requirements for Board Eligible Status of National Board for Certified Counselors. licensure for independent practice in the District of Columbia as well as certification as a clinical mental health counselor requires additional course work and supervised practice.

Students interested in professional licensure or clinical certification should obtain copies of the licensure and certification standards from the state office or the appropriate professional association. To prepare to complete applications for licensure or certification after graduation, the student should maintain a file of course syllabi, independent study contracts, field placement activity logs, names and addresses of field supervisors, the program description, and course catalogs. Questions about District of Columbia licensing requirements or copies of applicants should be obtained from:

DC Board of Professional Licensure
Application Support Division
PO Box 37200, Room 904
Washington, DC 20012-7200

Master of Science in Counseling

Requirements for Admission:

To be considered for admission to graduate study in counseling, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. Although a variety of majors may be considered appropriate background for graduate study in counseling, the successful applicant generally has a major in education and/or the social sciences.
2. Submit official transcript(s) from all previous undergraduate and graduate work. Applicants must have an undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
3. Submit official scores from a recent administration of the Graduate Record Exam Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Reasoning Tests.
4. Secure two (2) letters of recommendation. One letter should be from an individual familiar with the applicant's academic preparation; the other should address the applicant's capacity for relating to clients, professionalism, and personal attributes.

Curriculum Requirements: The program of study requires a total of 48 credit hours which includes 33 hours of core requirements, including six (6) hours of practicum and 15 hours of electives. There is no thesis requirement.

Graduate Writing Proficiency Examination: The Graduate Writing Proficiency Examination is required of all graduate students. Students must take the writing proficiency examination in the first semester of enrollment. Students must register to take the examination, which is administered only once each semester.

Core Requirements:

Electives:

Twelve (12) credit hours of coursework added in Fall 1996 for students desiring professional lecensure: