Masters in Counseling
Frequently Asked Questions
by applicants to the counseling program
- Do you require the GRE test and if so what scores do you need?
- If I had a different major than psychology (and related fields), could I still apply to the counseling program?
- How long is the Counseling program? Can you complete the program on a part-time basis?
- When is the application deadline?
- How are you assigned an advisor?
- What program-approved electives are students allowed to take?
- How many applications do you normally receive? How many students are admitted into the program?
- When are admissions decisions made?
- Are any courses in the Counseling Program offered at MSU’s extension sites or are all courses completed in Lansing?
- What has the greatest weight in terms of all the application materials?
- What are the average GPA and GRE scores of students in the program?
- What is the retention rate after the first year?
- What type of funding is available (other than loans)?
- Is a teaching certificate required for admission into the program?
Do you require the GRE test and if so what scores do you need?
Yes, the GRE Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical scores are required for admission into the M.A. Counseling Program. Please schedule your test early enough to insure your tests results can be scored and sent to MSU by the February 15th deadline. Test scores must be sent directly to the admission coordinator, Heather Johnson, 435 Erickson Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824. The MSU college code is #1465 and the MA Counseling Department code is #3802. Delays in score submission will delay decision-making about admission status and may possibly decrease the probability of admission. Applicants who submit materials prior to the deadline are given priority in the review and admission process.
If I had a different major than psychology (and related fields), could I still apply to the counseling program?
Yes, you may apply if your undergraduate degree is in a field other than psychology. Your personal goal statement should reflect your career or goal shift and include a brief explanation for your decision-making.
How long is the Counseling program? Can you complete the program on a part-time basis?
Most students attend the Masters Counseling Program on a full-time basis and complete the program in 2 years with a practicum and internship during their second year. Full-time enrollment is STRONGLY recommended and such students are given priority in the admission review process.
Graduation from both CACREP-accredited School and Community Counseling programs must include enrollment in two separate internships: one in school and one in community setting. Consequently, this career goal would require extended enrollment in one semester beyond the 2-year period.
Although strongly recommended, if full-time study is not possible, it is ESSENTIAL that students work closely with an assigned academic advisor after the program orientation meeting in August to insure appropriate sequencing of courses. For part-time students, failure to enroll in CEP860A and CEP862 in the Fall schedule and CEP 863 and 865 in the Spring semester will result in a larger number of required evaluated mock counseling sessions than that required of full-time enrollees because of the nature of integrated curriculum However, in spite of the additional work, some part-time students in the past have found some merit in choosing to link a theory and applied course each semester of enrollment to increase the probability of optimal levels of counseling skill immediately before enrollment in practicum. Nevertheless, each student is responsible for making the final decision after consultation with his or her assigned advisor. Keep in mind that part-time enrollment is the EXCEPTION, and even those students graduate within a 3-year period.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is February 15th. See “Apply to the Program” section.
What research opportunities are available to students enrolled in the program and how does one become a member of a research team?
Every Counseling student has the opportunity to participate in research but this is not a program requirement. At the beginning of each academic year an announcement will be sent to students regarding the formation of research teams and when the meetings will be held.
How are you assigned an advisor?
Student advisor assignments are made by placing the student with a faculty member with similar goal and/or research interests.
What program-approved electives are students allowed to take?
Faculty-Approved Electives
M.A. in Counseling Program
(2009-2010 Academic Year)
The following MSU courses have been approved as acceptable electives in your program plan. You must choose two electives that focus on developmental or social issues, in addition to psychological issues. This is not an exhaustive list; there may be other courses that fit our criteria for electives that are not on this list. You are encouraged to choose electives that relate to your desired career path. Therefore, if you find a different course on campus that you think would be a suitable elective in your program of study, please submit the proposed course’s description and syllabus (if available) to your advisor for approval before enrolling in the course.
Three domains students might keep in mind in the selection of electives:
- human-growth and development
- special interest/population
- psychological/emotional/social/cultural foundations of personality
For a list of courses being offered at MSU, see the MSU Description of Courses document at http://www.reg.msu.edu/Courses/Search.asp Important note: None of the courses listed below and/or in the Description of Courses are guaranteed to be offered during any given semester. It is the responsibility of each student to contact the department that is offering the course to find out if the course will be offered during a particular semester.
CEP 800 Psychology of Learning in Schools
CEP 841 Classroom & Behavior Management in the Inclusive Classroom
CEP 860 Stress Management
CEP 866 Psychoeducational Interventions for Children & Youths (Required elective for school track)
CEP 875 Substance Abuse and Treatment
CEP 882 Socio-Emotional Development of School-Age Youth
CEP 882 Psychology & Prejudice Discrimination
CEP 885 Behavior Disorders in Children
CEP 890 Independent Study
EAD 801 Leadership & Organizational Development
EAD 822 Diverse Students & Families
EAD 853B Schools, Families, and Community
EAD 864 Adult Career Development
EAD 873 College Students' Experience
FEC 801 Family Ecosystems
FCE 812 Adolescents in the Family
FCE 814 Parenthood & Parent Education
FCE 830 Survey of Marriage & Family Therapy Theories
FCE 842 842 African American Families
FCE 845 Foundations of Family Study
FCE 847 Theory of Family
FCE 848 Divorce and Remarriage Intervention
FCE 892 Seminar in Family & Child Ecology
FCE 895 Families in Poverty
FCE 898 Play in Human Development
PSY 838 Interpersonal Behavior and Relationships
PSY 840 Group Processes
PSY 846 Development of Psychology--Childhood
PSY 847 Development of Psychology--Adolescence
PSY 848 848 Development of Psychology--Adult and Aging
PSY 853 Behavior Disorders
PSY 854 Behavior Disorders in Childhood and Family
PSY 954 Cognitive-Behavioral Theory, Research, & Intervention Across the Life
TE 808 Inquiry into Classroom Teaching & Learning
TE 818 Curriculum in its Social Context (ON-LINE)
How many applications do you normally receive? How many students are admitted into the program?
The Master’s Counseling Program is very competitive as we receive between 50 – 60 applications each year. We typically have a cohort with 18-23 students. Cohort size is determined by the quality of the application pool and the CACREP-established faculty-student ratio limitation.
When are admissions decisions made?
Applications are due on February 15th and decisions will be made within 4-6 weeks.
Are any courses in the Counseling Program offered at MSU’s extension sites or are all courses completed in Lansing?
All of the core coursework for the M.A. Counseling Program needs to be completed on campus. There are approved elective courses that are available on-line.
What has the greatest weight in terms of all the application materials?
There is a common misconception that there is one factor over all others that we emphasize in the evaluation of each application. The review is comprehensive and faculty consider each component of the application for applicant’s fit with the program philosophy, knowledge about the program and faculty members’ interests and expertise, experiences that reflect and preparedness to assume graduate-level work.
What are the average GPA and GRE scores of students in the program?
Good question, especially for academic units that heavily emphasize GPA and GRE scores as primary in the admission review process. However, in this academic unit, program faculty have found that GPA, GRE scores, AND other required components of the application materials (i.e., professional narrative, past counseling/education-related experiences, life experiences, values) have also been found to be significant predict success. Readers are cautioned about making a decision about applying based solely on GPA and GRE given the ranges found within each student cohort. Consequently, there have been cases where some applicants with extraordinarily high GPA and GRE scores have not been admitted and those with more modest status have.
What is the retention rate after the first year?
Because the pool of applicants is highly competitive and admission decision-making occurs only after extensive faculty deliberations, the retention rate approximates 100%. The exceptions to this rule are typically related with one of the following: a shift in students’ life circumstances, students’ desire to re-focus career goals, or failure to maintain ‘good-standing’ status within the program. These are the exceptions, but such cases do occur from time to time.
What type of funding is available (other than loans)?
The academic unit to which you are applying has no specific funding for master’s level students for which they might pursue individually. Within the semester of admission, before the end of the Spring semester, each prospective student will receive e-mail communication that includes specific contact information for offices on campus and within the surrounding community. These will be established sites where our past students have been successful in placement. To assist in the application process, students’ assigned program advisors will serve as a reference upon request.
The following is a website that provides some guidance in students seeking part-time employment on campus:
http://www.csp.msu.edu/students/gettingexperience/part-time-jobs
The following are websites that provide potential options for students seeking funding opportunities in support of graduate education.
http://grad.msu.edu/funding/
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3gradinf.htm
http://www.isp.msu.edu/funding/grad_scholarships.htm
Please review each of these opportunities carefully; keeping in mind that although assigned advisors will support student’s applications for funding upon request, each student must assume full responsibility for securing funding. Once a source of funding or employment position or assistantship has been identified, each admitted student must notify faculty of the site, provide a description of the position, and indicate the contact person and campus address. Where no letter is required, assigned academic advisors’ and contact information may be listed as references in the application process. Remember that it is imperative that this process occurs as soon as possible given that due to 9-month appointments faculty are not as available for contact during the summer months as they are during the regular academic year.
Is a teaching certificate required for admission into the program?
No. A teaching certificate is not required for admission into the School Counseling program due to the legislation described below.
State of Michigan House Bill No. 5740, which passed July 7, 2000, states that counselors in elementary or secondary schools in Michigan are no longer required to hold a teaching certificate.
Although teacher certification is no longer a requirement for admission to our program, other states may continue to require teacher certification for practice in the schools.
Therefore, prospective students must develop a program curriculum that takes under consideration their future professional goals, the setting in which they would like to practice, and the state in which they intend to reside/practice after graduation.
