MA - School Counseling
Indiana Wesleyan University’s School Counseling Program is nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Applicants who seek licensure in states other than Indiana bear the responsibility to determine whether completion of the Indiana Wesleyan University School Counseling Program will meet the academic and assessment requirements of the state in which licensure is sought.
Upon completion of the program, the graduate should be able to:
- Articulate a clear understanding of School professional identity.
- Deliver mental health services with multicultural competence.
- Integrate an understanding of normal developmental concepts and processes in case conceptualizations.
- Conceptualize the relationship between and among work, personal relational well-being, and other life roles.
- Demonstrate essential counseling skills with competence.
- Facilitate a group session with competency.
- Display counseling appraisal skills that demonstrate validity and reliability.
- Apply relevant research findings from professional literature to inform developmental of treatment plans/intervention strategies.
- Integrate faith-based or spirituality-based principles and strategies in case conceptualizations or interventions.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of school counseling.
- Evaluate comprehensive school counseling programs with the use of appropriate data.
- Demonstrate comprehensive school counseling by synthesizing professional skills and interactions.
- Integrate cultural competence and responsiveness, in the practice of school counseling, to promote education equity and social justice.
- Function in professional roles and relationships in ways that reflect adherence to ethical and legal standards.
Admission Requirements
- A baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) verified on original transcripts sent by the institution directly to Indiana Wesleyan University.
- 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.
- 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. Successful graduate coursework may be substituted for the GRE. A writing sample is also required.
- An official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended.
- A criminal background check.
- Three recommendations – at least one from a supervisor/professional.
- Applicants whose application documents demonstrate potential for success in the Graduate Program in Counseling will be invited to participate in a personal interview.
Program Requirements
- All new students are required to take CNS-500 Orientation during their first term of enrollment. A grade of NC (No Credit) will require the student to take CNS-500 again the next term. Additionally, students who are inactive or withdrawn and seek readmission will be required to retake CNS-500 upon their return. CNS-500 includes a Bible Exam which must be satisfactorily passed to receive credit for the course.
- For CNS-550, CNS-551, & CNS-552 courses, interns must have a signed contract between their internship site and IWU. They must have an active membership with American School Counseling Association (ASCA) to ensure $1,000,000 of liability insurance.
Graduation Requirements
- Successful completion of the required curriculum with a minimum grade of "C" in each course and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
- All degree requirements must be completed within six years of enrollment.
- Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
Licensing Note:
- State regulations may prohibit licensure for individuals who have ever been convicted of a crime of violence or of any crime that has a direct bearing on the ability to practice competently.
- The applicant is responsible to check the licensing requirements with his or her state licensing agency prior to beginning the program.
- International students must know the laws and regulations where they reside for potential practicum and internship placement as well as for licensing after graduation.
MA- School Counseling - Program of Study
Major Courses
| CNS-501 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| CNS-502 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| CNS-503 | Theory and Techniques in the Helping Relationship | 3 |
| CNS-504 | Theory and Techniques in Group Counseling | 3 |
| CNS-505 | Theory and Techniques in Career Counseling | 3 |
| CNS-506 | Appraisal of Individuals and Families | 3 |
| CNS-507 | Research and Evaluation of Methods and Practice | 3 |
| CNS-508 | Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues | 3 |
| CNS-509 | Integration of Christian Faith in Professional Counseling | 3 |
Clinical Experiences
| CNS-550A | Supervised Practicum - Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CNS-551SA | Supervised Internship - School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CNS-552SA | Supervised Internship - School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
School Counseling Courses
| CNS-519 | Foundations of School Counseling | 3 |
| CNS-527 | Child and Adolescent Development and Treatment | 3 |
| CNS-529 | Advanced School Counseling Programming | 3 |
Students are expected to take an additional 15 credit hours of any unduplicated CNS courses within the Division of Counseling OR take the Clinical Mental Health courses.
Electives
Clinical Mental Health Courses
| CNS-511 | Issues in Addiction Recovery | 3 |
| CNS-522 | Foundations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| CNS-523 | Assessment and Intervention in Clinical Mental Health | 3 |
| CNS-524 | Ecological Counseling and Prevention | 3 |
| CNS-533 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 60 |
