Verl Pope, Ed.D., Department Chair
Dorea Glance, Graduate Program Director
Purpose
The Master of Arts in School Counseling, a CACREP and NCATE accredited program, prepares students to become professional school counselors. The development of a strong professional identity, a rich knowledge base, and expertise in the skills of counseling are essential to respond to the multitude of societal changes and to the ever-expanding counseling profession. Specifically, this program prepares quality counselors for public schools in P-12 settings.
Contact Information
Counseling, Social Work, and Leadership Graduate Office - MEP 295
counselored@nku.edu or 859-572-7892
The School Counseling Programs are administered by the Department of Counseling, Social Work and Leadership, located in the Mathematics-Education-Psychology Center (MEP), Suite 203.
Admission Requirements
Individuals applying must meet all requirements for admission to graduate study at Northern Kentucky University as defined by the Graduate Catalog at the time of application in addition to the following:
To be eligible for admission applicants must have: A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an overall minimum 2.75 undergraduate grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Undergraduate coursework must contain 48 semester credits (or equivalent in quarter hours) in the liberal arts. Baccalaureate degree must show completion of a statistics course with a C- or higher, bachelor’s degree from regionally accredited institution of higher education, with a total cumulative undergraduate grade point average of a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
Application Process:
- Submit an online application and application fee to the Office of Graduate Education.
- Submit official transcripts of undergraduate and any graduate coursework sent directly from all institutions of higher education previously attended.
- Submit official scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). PLT Praxis Test scores may be submitted in lieu of the GRE. This requirement will be waived for those individuals who have already completed a master’s degree.
- Submit the supplemental application with essay required by the counseling programs including a 500-700 word essay demonstrating evidence of your potential to work effectively with people, reasons for wanting to become a professional school counselor, any relevant work or volunteer experiences, and examples of important events that have influenced your career goals. Essay must be submitted on supplemental application. Supplemental application available on webpage.
- Three recommendations from people (former instructors, supervisors, colleagues, etc.) who are qualified to evaluate academic and professional potential in the field of counseling. These must be submitted on counseling recommendation form.
- Submit a professional resume tailored to educational goals, including educational background, employment history, awards, and accomplishments. Submit a copy of a Kentucky Statement of Eligibility or a teaching certificate if applicable.
- A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. For individuals currently employed in the public schools, a copy of their teaching certificate may be submitted in lieu of the background check. Please contact the program at counselored@nku.edu in order to obtain information on getting your background check completed. Any costs associated with background check are the responsibility of the applicant.
- Successful completion of an interview with counseling program faculty and a positive recommendation for admission from the counseling admissions committee to ensure the candidate holds qualifications and a personal disposition to uphold ethical standards of the counseling profession.
♦ Indicates prerequisite.
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