Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Graduate Bulletin 
    
2016-2017 Graduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED]

School Counseling, M.S.


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Introduction

Master of Science Degree The program in school counseling provides a basic preparation in school counseling that leads to certification by the State of Wisconsin for employment in the public schools.

Students who seek certification from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction must meet both elementary and secondary requirements for certification as a school counselor on a PK-12 basis.

Learning experiences in the immediate professional setting include supervised counseling practicum and internship.

Admission

To be admitted with full status to this program, the applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college and have an overall grade point average of at least 2.75. Applicants may be admitted on probationary status if their overall grade point average is at least 2.5, but less than 2.75. These exceptions are subject to a strict limit of 10 percent of the students in the program and must be individually negotiated with the recommendation of the program director and the approval of the Graduate School.

Both the Graduate School Application form (obtainable online at http://www.uwstout.edu/grad/prospect/apply.cfm) and a Program Application form (obtainable online at http://www.uwstout.edu/programs/mssc/apply.cfm) must be submitted by each applicant, including the documents identified on these two forms. Applicants must have presented and filed all required Graduate School documents to the Graduate School office by February 1 for summer and fall terms, and October 1 for the spring term. After committee review and a personal interview for selected applicants, notification of acceptance will be made by May 1 for summer and fall terms, and December 1 for the spring term. The process and deadlines for selecting applicants will be strictly followed in each case.

Students will be admitted on the basis of academic performance, admissibility to the Graduate School, recommendations and rankings of a screening committee. These rankings are based on: 1. Experience in a helping profession, i.e., counseling, education, social work, psychology and volunteer activities; 2. Letters of recommendation from employers, instructors and consumers of services provided by the applicant; 3. An autobiographical statement in which the applicant has outlined assets and liabilities as a potential counselor trainee; and 4. Academic performance and potential as  demonstrated by performance in undergraduate coursework, and any additional graduate coursework. A personal interview with the program director and faculty is also required. The interview is scheduled with selected applicants following review of application materials.

Requirements

The degree requires a minimum of 52 credit hours. Transfer credits may not exceed 12. An overall graduate grade point average of 3.0 or better is required, and a minimum grade of 2.75 is required for all core requirements. Students must also be approved for degree candidacy at the appropriate time and follow the approved program plan outlined here:

General Requirements
Master of Science Degree

Total for graduation 52 credits  
Core Requirements 50 credits  
Selectives 2 credits  

Note(s):


Depending on undergraduate degree major, some students are required to complete additional course work to meet minimum competency for certification. Minimum competency courses are Psychology of Learning; Inclusion; Multiculturalism; Preparation for Research; and Organization, Administration, Operation of Schools.

Full Time or Part Time Study


Extended field placement (internship) required in this program consists of 600 hours in the school. Part-time study while holding a full-time job is very difficult unless the employment provides considerable flexibility. The internship may not be completed in the summer session because the time available is not extensive enough and regular school placements are not available. Therefore, full-time study for at least one semester is recommended. A substantial portion of the course work may be completed part time by attending summer sessions, attending during the regular semesters for late afternoon and evening classes, or enrolling in continuing education off-campus courses. However, a commitment for at least one semester full time, or two semesters half time, is required at the point where the student is ready for internship placement.

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