Graduate Counseling Division

Mission Statement

The Division of Graduate Counseling is dedicated to training high-quality professionals who are competent to work with diverse populations within their area of specialization. The faculty is dedicated to training and mentoring students within an integrated understanding of Christian faith and professional practice with emphasis on student academic, professional and cultural competence.

Program Descriptions

The Master of Arts degree with majors in Counseling prepares counselors who are able to integrate their Christian faith and values with integrity in their practice of counseling. Graduates of the program will be prepared to provide professional service to public agencies, churches, educational settings, para-church organizations, and business and industry settings. To that end, the graduate counseling program offers the following objectives:

1. Students will demonstrate mastery of comprehensive counseling curriculum.
2. Students will demonstrate competence in reading, interpreting, evaluating and applying scholarly research.
3. Students will demonstrate clinical proficiency.
4. Students will demonstrate multicultural awareness in clinical practice.
5. Students will demonstrate professional integrity.
6. Students will demonstrate an ability to integrate faith with the counseling profession.
7. Students will demonstrate proficiency in communication skills.
8. Students will demonstrate proficiency in their selected area of specialization.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy, and School Counseling programs at Indiana Wesleyan University are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) (5999 Stevenson Ave., Alexandria, VA 22304, 703-823-9800). CACREP is an independent agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit master's and doctoral degree programs in the counseling-related professions. The accreditation runs through October 31, 2021. (Note: The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is currently accredited under the 2001 standards for Community Counseling as a Community Counseling program. The current curriculum is designed to meet the 2009 standards, which combined Community Counseling and Mental Health Standards into standards for Clinical Mental Health Counseling programs). The School Counseling program is also approved by the Indiana Professional Standards Board. Starting in the fall of 2013, the School Counseling program will transition from a traditional to a blended instructional format.

The Community Counseling program requires the completion of 48 semester hours, the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program requires 60 semester hours, the Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy program requires 60 semester hours, and the School Counseling program requires 48 semester hours. All majors require a supervised practicum and internships. The 60-hour programs meet the requirements for Licensed Mental Health Counselor or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Indiana.

The Division of Graduate Counseling also offers majors in Addictions Counseling and Student Development Administration. The purpose and goal of the Addictions Counseling major is to educate students and returning professionals in the competency and practice of addictions sciences. This major seeks to be a world-class program of "science to service" with a relevant Christian perspective of hope and healing. The program has been granted Provider Status by the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) and the NAADAC State affiliate, the Indiana Association for Addiction Professionals (IAAP). Upon completion of the degree, students will be eligible to take the NAADAC/IAAP exam for the national Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) and state Indiana Certified Addictions Counselor I or II (ICAC I, II) certification.

The M.A. in Student Development Administration prepares students for careers in the student development professions in the settings of higher education. The program uses a student-focused approach by applying skills and techniques in order to build and maintain life-impacting relationships with college students. The program follows the Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Practitioners established by the ACPA (College Student Educators International) and NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) associations. This program can be completed entirely online or in combination with available onsite courses on the Marion and Indianapolis-West campuses.

Students with a master’s degree with a major in counseling who do not meet the requirements for Indiana state licensure may complete the academic requirements through Indiana Wesleyan University’s Graduate Counseling program. See Certificate Programs. Those interested in this option should call 765-677-2855 or 800-895-0036 for more information.

Admission to Graduate Studies in Counseling

The admission requirements are:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education.
2. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from the baccalaureate degree-granting institution at which at least 30 hours was completed.
3. Six semester hours in undergraduate psychology of which three semester hours must be in Abnormal Psychology.
4. Six semester hours in Bible (Old and New Testament) or passage of the Bible exam administered by the Graduate Counseling Department. Students may take any of the undergraduate courses at Indiana Wesleyan University and be admitted on a conditional basis until all prerequisites are satisfactorily completed.
5. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) taken within five years of application to the program. A typewritten autobiography, philosophy of counseling, and supplemental application. Verbal (V) score of at least 146/400 (new/old scoring) is required. Successful graduate coursework may be substituted for the GRE.
6. An official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended.
7. Three recommendations – at least one from a professor and one from a supervisor/professional.
8. Applicants whose application documents demonstrate potential for success in the Graduate Program in Counseling will be invited to participate in a personal interview.

*The graduate admissions committee retains the right to waive an admission requirement for special circumstances.

Prerequisites for Graduate Studies in Counseling

The following prerequisites must be completed before completing 12 semester hours of counseling courses:

1. Six semester hours in undergraduate psychology of which three semester hours must be in Abnormal Psychology.
2. Six semester hours in Bible (Old and New Testament) or passage of the Bible exam administered by the Graduate Counseling Department.
3. Students may take any of the undergraduate courses at Indiana Wesleyan University and be admitted on a conditional basis and may take up to 12 hours of coursework while completing all prerequisites.

Program Requirements for Graduate Studies in Counseling

Students are evaluated by faculty upon completion of their initial nine hours of graduate study. This evaluation includes: current GPA, written and communication skills, and overall style of interactions with faculty, staff, and peers within the program. In addition, students are evaluated by a core faculty member at the end of the practicum class. This evaluation includes: ability to perform a basic listening skills sequence and establishment of therapeutic relationships, appropriate responses to supervision, and basic conceptualization of clients in their caseloads. Students are evaluated again during their final internship. This evaluation includes: evaluation of the student’s counseling skills including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of clients, record keeping, information and referral, and familiarity with professional activities and resources. These evaluations are used to identify specific strengths and weaknesses and readiness to enter the counseling field.

To remain in good standing within the program, students are expected to maintain specific academic and professional standards. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Furthermore, students may be suspended from the program if their cumulative GPA is not 3.0 or above upon completion of the following semester.

Students may choose to not register for one semester and remain in good standing. However, if a student does not register for two or more consecutive semesters, he or she will be considered inactive. In such cases, students must seek readmission in order to resume work in the program.

Coursework, practica and internships provide both students and faculty opportunities to determine “professional goodness-of-fit.” In addition to assessing academic performance, faculty utilize these times to evaluate students’ suitability for the counseling profession. Students who do not possess characteristics deemed as essential for counselors will be asked to develop, in collaboration with faculty, remedial plans of correction. Such plans might include referrals for individual counseling to address specific identified issues. In cases where remedial plans are unsuccessful or inappropriate, the student will be asked to withdraw from the program. In such cases, career services will be made available to assist such persons in finding a more appropriate vocational direction.

Students admitted to the Graduate Studies in Counseling at Indiana Wesleyan University are expected to behave in a professional and ethical manner. Failure to conform to acceptable standards of behavior in classes, practica or internships is considered cause for dismissal from the program. Once admitted to the program, non-academic cause for dismissal includes, but is not limited to:

1. Behavior that is prohibited under the ethical standards and practices of the American Counseling Association (ACA), American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), NAADAC/IAAP, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and/or the Counselor Licensure laws in the state of Indiana.
2. Indecent or malicious behavior and disrespect directed toward instructors, supervisors, administrators or fellow students; use of profanity or verbal/physical intimidation toward others; failure to follow reasonable instructions; or any form of sexual harassment.
3. Use of deceit or fraud, academic or otherwise, to gain admission to or in any activity within the program.
4. Conviction of a felony or of an offense involving possession, sale or consumption of a controlled substance.
5. Conviction for a misdemeanor offense committed during or related to the practice of any counseling procedure or activity.
6. Conviction of an offense involving sexual transgression.
7. Behavior that violates one of the lifestyle expectations of the university.

Programs in Graduate Studies in Counseling

All students who obtain a Master of Arts degree with a major in Counseling from Indiana Wesleyan University must complete either 48 or 60 hours of study. Students who major in Student Development Administration are required to complete a minimum of 36 hours of study. For the majors in Addictions Counseling, Community Counseling, and School Counseling, 48 semester hours of graduate studies are required. Sixty semester hours of graduate studies are required for completion of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy. Programs of study in the majors of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy, and School Counseling consist of the following components: core courses, clinical experiences, and specialization courses. In contrast, the programs of study in Addictions Counseling and Student Development Administration consist of a unique set of core courses as well as clinical experiences. Each of these programs of study is described in greater detail below.

Admission to Student Development Administration

The admission requirements are:*

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education.
2. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from the baccalaureate degree-granting institution at which at least 30 hours was completed.
3. Six semester hours in psychology of which three semester hours must be in Life Span Development or Developmental Psychology.
4. Six semester hours in Bible (Old and New Testament). Students may take any of the undergraduate courses at Indiana Wesleyan University and be admitted on a conditional basis until all prerequisites are satisfactorily completed.
5. A completed application form for admission to the IWU Student Development Administration program. 
6. An official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended.
7. Three recommendations – at least one from a professor and one from a supervisor/professional.
8. Applicants whose application documents demonstrate potential for success in Student Development Administration will be invited to participate in a personal interview.

*The graduate admissions committee retains the right to waive an admission requirement for special circumstances.

Prerequisites for Student Development Administration

The following prerequisites must be completed before completing 12 semester hours of student development courses:

1. Six semester hours in Psychology, which must include three hours in Life Span Development or Developmental Psychology.
2. Six semester hours in Bible (Old and New Testament). Students may take any of the undergraduate required courses at Indiana Wesleyan University.