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 Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling programs at Indiana Wesleyan University are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) (1001 N. Fairfax St., Suite 510, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703-535-5990. 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, 2022 and our renewal is currently being processed for reaccreditation by the CACREP Board for renewal in 2024 . The Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy program is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). 

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. Each of these majors require a supervised practicum and internships. These programs are designed to fulfill the academic requirements for licensure in all 50 states. Students are responsible to insure that their specific program of study meets the requirements for the specific state for which they plan to seek licensure.

The Division of Graduate Counseling also offers majors in Community Care, Clinical Addictions Counseling and Student Development Administration. The Master of Arts with a major in Community Care is a 36-hour, non-licensure track counseling-related degree that prepares nonprofessional people helpers to work with persons seeking assistance non-clinical life circumstance concerns, holistic wellness, and prevention within communities. The purpose and goal of the Clinical Addictions Counseling major is to educate students and returning professionals in the competency and practice of addictions sciences. This 48-hour major seeks to be a world-class program of "science to service" with a relevant Christian perspective of hope and healing. The program is accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC). Upon completion of the degree, students will be eligible to take the NAADAC/IAAP exam for the national Master Addiction Counselor (MAC).

The M.A. in Student Development Administration prepares students for careers in the student development professions in the settings of higher education. This 36-hour 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.

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 Division of Graduate Counseling through Certificate programs or, in some cases, admission as an Unclassified student. See Certificate Programs. Those interested in this option should call 765-677-2572 or 866-468-6498 or email residential.graduation@indwes.edu 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 Division of Graduate Counseling.
   Students who lack prerequisite undergraduate coursework may be admitted on a conditional basis. All prerequisites must be completed within the first twelve hours of coursework.
5. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for those applicants with undergraduate cumulative GPAs of less than 3.25. The test must have been 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. A criminal background check.
8. Three recommendations – at least one from a professor and one from a supervisor/professional.
9. 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.

Criminal Background Policy

Occasions may arise when applicants to the Indiana Wesleyan University Graduate Counseling program may have a criminal record. If that is the case, then the applicant is highly encouraged to seek out the Professional Licensing Agency in the state in which they reside, or expect to practice counseling upon graduation, and ask if the board can speak to the applicant’s ability to become licensed with the criminal background in question. By taking this step the applicant is not assured of knowing their ability to be licensed, but will be more informed before starting a degree program. The Indiana Wesleyan University Graduate Counseling program cannot be held liable if the applicant completes the program and then finds out they are not able to become licensed. If the applicant gets documentation about license eligibility prior to admittance to the program, then the applicant should submit documentation of the board’s response. Also, a favorable response from a state board does not equate to admittance to the Indiana Wesleyan University Graduate Counseling program. The applicant is encouraged to be candid about their criminal background in the admission application and interview so that the program can make the most informed decision about admittance to the program.

Graduate Counseling Re-Admission Process

1. If the student has been away for up to two (2) semesters after last completed course, they must:
           a. Complete a readmit form
2. If the student has been away longer than two (2) semesters and up to five (5) years (15 semesters), they must:
   1. Complete the online application indicating they are seeking re-admission
   2. Submit a letter identifying what has changed that will allow them to be successful if readmitted to the program
   3. Complete an interview with faculty from the identified program
3. If a student has been away longer than five (5) years (16+ semesters) after last complete course, they must:
   1. Complete the full application process

*Any student reapplying to the program is not assured of being moved to the top of any waiting list for their chosen specialization.

If student had been suspended or dismissed

Students who have been suspended may reapply after one semester away from IWU. Students who have been dismissed may reapply after two semesters away.

Students who have been academically suspended or dismissed must meet the following requirements before being considered for re-admission to the university

1. Readmit Form
2. Transfer Information Form (if applicable)
3. College transcript(s) (If applicable)
4. The student will need to complete a letter of appeal to be reviewed by a graduate-faculty subcommittee comprised of core faculty in the corresponding graduate program. The letter
   should outline

• The pertinent factors leading to the suspension/dismissal

• What have you learned about yourself and/or the situation that will prevent academic probation from re-occurring
• Why the outcomes will be improved if you are permitted to return, and
• How you plan to make your next college experience successful.

An appeal does not guarantee that a student will be granted re-admission.

Policy for Student Program/Major Changes

Students who desire to switch graduate counseling programs in the initial admissions process or while taking courses towards another graduate counseling program must complete each of the following steps. Delays may occur in the student’s program of study and degree progress.

1. Application officially switched with new criminal background check
2. Review of IWU transcripts for CACREP-tracked courses by Registrar or Program Coordinator with approval needed to move forward
   1. Example: Student in Community Care courses that are named non-CACREP may not be able to count those non-CACREP courses towards their proposed CACREP program resulting in repeated courses, costs, and time.
3. New Writing Sample geared towards the proposed program
4. Interview with the proposed program
5. Final Approval from Division Chair
   1. Rationale: Division Chair has knowledge of individual program ratios and faculty advising loads.

 

  Graduate Credit Transfer Policy

Transfer of credit will be considered for graduate work taken only at regionally accredited institutions provided the courses meet institutional requirements and are appropriate for the student's planned and approved program. Any culminating project (e.g., capstone, research, thesis, etc.), clinical, or practicum requirement associated with a graduate program must be taken at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Individual academic units may establish higher standards/conditions as is appropriate for their respective disciplines or accrediting bodies. A minimum grade of "C" may be considered for transfer. No more than 30% of the graduate degree may be transferred in from another institution. The learning outcomes must align and have been completed within the past seven years.

Minimal conditions governing the transfer of earned graduate credits to other course work include:

• Each PAU shall determine the amount of time acceptable of completed work that is eligible for credit transfer
• Only graduate courses in which a student has earned a grade of "C" or better may be considered for transfer credit.
• Hours of credit may be transferred, but grades earned in courses taken at another institution do not transfer and are not used in computing the student's graduate GPA at Indiana Wesleyan University.
• When a graduate course is taken at another university on a credit/no credit or pass/fail option, hours of "credit" or "pass" are not accepted as transferable unless approved by the appropriate academic unit.
• For graduate certificate programs no more than 30% can be transferred into the certificate program.

If it is an Ethics or Psychopathology course it must have been taken within the last five years (unless there has been a change in the DSM).

Student Progression Policy for the Division of Graduate Counseling

Students are evaluated by faculty upon completion of their initial nine hours of graduate study. This evaluation includes: current GPA, performance on specific courses and assignments in relation to stated student learning outcomes, 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 prior to the beginning 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. In addition, students must successfully complete comprehensive exams for the core curriculum, program, and multicultural proficiency.

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. Furthermore, all course grades must be "C" or above. 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, practicum 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, practicum or internships is considered cause for disciplinary action, which may include educative advisory or warning, development and implementation of a remedial plan, or dismissal from the program. Once admitted to the program, non-academic cause for disciplinary action 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), American School Counselors Association (ASCA) National Association of Student Personnel Association (NASPA), Association of College Personnel Administrators (ACPA) 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 (eg. offenses involving possession, sale or consumption of a controlled substance, sexual transgression).
5. Conviction for a misdemeanor offense committed during or related to the practice of any counseling procedure or activity.

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 (preferred) or Abnormal 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 of Developmental Psychology (preferred) or Abnormal Psychology.
2. Six semester hours in Bible (Old and New Testament), or passage of the Departmental Bible exam.