NEIU’s Counseling Department strives to remain committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout our scholarship, service, advocacy, leadership, mentorship, and teaching. Therefore, we seek candidates who advocate for social justice and antiracist policies, and utilize culturally relevant teaching, clinical practice, research, and service. We are dedicated to preparing counselors who are leaders and advocates in social justice and who will provide professional counseling services to adults, children, youth, individuals, couples, groups, and families.
The Department of Counselor Education offers a 60 credit-hour program leading to the Master of Arts in School Counseling. Additional coursework is required for students without an Illinois Professional Educator License. The School Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Find out more information at Counselor Education accreditation, licensures, and credentialing. The School Counseling program at Northeastern Illinois University prepares students for employment as school counselors in elementary, middle and high schools. The School Counseling program emphasizes a developmental counseling approach integrating the philosophy and standards of the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) National Model, the Developmental Counseling Model for Illinois schools, and the Illinois State Standards for School Counselors. NEIU school counseling program emphasizes social justice and advocacy in schools and data-driven practices, particularly to affect systemic change in educational settings to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Students completing the master's degree in school counseling will meet the educational requirements for the Professional Educator License (PEL) in Illinois with an endorsement as a School Counselor, Pre-K-Age 22. The degree also meets the educational requirements for licensure in Illinois as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC).
The Department of Counselor Education also offers a Non-Degree School Counselor Endorsement leading to licensure as a school counselor for individuals with an advanced graduate degree in counseling or related fields.
Admission Requirements
Counselor Education admits students twice a year, in January and August. The deadline to submit a complete application for the program for the spring term is Aug. 15. The deadline to apply for the fall term is March 15. Counselor Education deadline dates differ from other Northeastern M.A. program deadline dates.
Applicants can apply to the program through NEIU’s online application system (https://apply.neiu.edu/apply/). The online application requires submission of the following:
- Application form
- Application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Two recommenders (applicants will be prompted to enter contact information for 2 professional recommenders)
- Current resume
- Signed informed consent
- An Essay (500-700 words or less), typed and double-spaced (instructions provided in the application).
Application materials will be evaluated in regard to an applicant's academic aptitude, relevance of career goals, cultural competence, and potential for fostering therapeutic relationships. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements in their specific program (i.e., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Couple and Family Counseling, School Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling) will be invited to attend a Pre-admission Workshop (PAW). The PAW involves applicants participating in a series of group discussions facilitated by Counselor Education faculty. Dates and times to attend a PAW session are available on Slate.
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM
- Graduate Admissions and Records has established a minimum grade point average of 2.75 for undergraduate degrees. Applicants with undergraduate GPAs below 2.75 will not be admitted. Applicants who have earned a graduate degree from an accredited university are exempt from this requirement.
- Problematic or poor performance during the PAW will make an applicant ineligible for admission.
- Meeting the minimum academic requirements is no guarantee of admission.
- Admission to the Counselor Education Department is competitive. It is possible for an otherwise acceptable applicant to be denied admission due to the competitive strength of the applicant pool. The number of applicants that can be admitted to the program is limited. Those not selected for admission may reapply only once.
ADMISSION DECISIONS
Admission decisions are based on the following:
- Relevance of career goals
- Aptitude for graduate-level study
- Potential success in forming effective counseling relationships
- Respect for cultural differences
Prerequisites:
- An Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) meets the requirement.
- School Counseling applicants without a PEL are required to provide results of a state and federal fingerprint background check as part of the application process
Non-Degree School Counselor Endorsement
The Department of Counselor Education offers a Non-Degree School Counselor Endorsement program designed for individuals who have completed a graduate degree in counseling or a closely related field and are seeking to meet the academic and clinical requirements to be eligible for endorsement as a school counselor in the state of Illinois.
Applicants who are not current Counselor Education students must have a degree in counseling or a closely related mental health degree from an accredited university program that meets the academic and clinical requirements for licensure as a master's level mental health professional. Applicants can apply through NEIUs online application system. The online application requires the following:
Admission Requirements for Non-Degree School Counselor Endorsement:
To be considered for admission, the applicant must have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and can apply to the program through NEIUs online application system. The online application requires the following:
- Application form
- Application fee
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
- Current resume
- Two recommenders (applicants will be prompted to enter contact information for two professional recommenders)
- Signed Informed Consent
- Essay: In 500-700 words, please respond to the following prompts:
How do you see yourself aligning with NEIU's Counseling Department?
Talk about your personal and/or professional experiences that make you a strong candidate. - For applicants who hold a Professional Educator License (PEL): upload the PEL to your application portal
- For applicants who do not hold a PEL: results of a state and federal fingerprint background check. Review the instructions for taking and submitting your background check results. The state results will be sent directly to the Goodwin College of Education. Upload the federal results to your application portal. If you are a DACA student we recommend going through Scenario B exclusively, listed on the GCOE website under the Federal and State Fingerprint Background Check Instructions. Please contact the Associate Dean of the Goodwin College of Education at at gcoe@neiu.edu for more information.
- Successful completion of coursework in the following areas: counseling theories and interviewing, human growth and development; assessment and evaluation; individual and group counseling; career development; family counseling; and multicultural counseling.
Contact Counselor Education at (773) 442-5550 or counsedu@neiu.edu for further questions or if the links are not working.
Eligibility to Enroll in Classes
Once applicants are officially admitted to a program, they may register for classes during online registration periods. Those who have not yet been reviewed for selection may take only one course before being admitted: COUN 401 Professional Orientation and Legal/Ethical Practices. If an applicant is formally accepted into the program, the credits for the course will count towards their degree requirements. However, taking a course as a student-at-large does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants admitted to the fall semester may begin taking classes in the summer semester.
The Department of Counselor Education allows non-degree seeking students to take courses as a student-at-large under certain circumstances, such as completing deficiencies for licensure. To request approval to take a course as a non-degree seeking student, please click on the following link and complete the form: https://www.neiu.edu/academics/college-of-education/content/permission-take-courses-counselor-education-student-large. We will contact you with an answer within five working days of receiving your form.
Authorization to enroll in courses as a non-degree seeking student in Counselor Education does not constitute admission to any of the Department's programs. Students who wish to pursue a master's degree in counseling must submit a formal application to Graduate Admissions. Non-degree seeking students can enroll only in courses for which they have been authorized by this Department. Some of the courses in the Department are not open to non-degree seeking students.
Master of Arts in School Counseling
The Department of Counselor Education offers a 60 credit-hour program leading to the Master of Arts in School Counseling that also meets the educational requirements for obtaining an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL).
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| School Counseling required courses: | ||
| COUN-401 | Professional Orientation & Legal/Ethical Practices | 3 |
| COUN-402 | Developmental Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-403 | Theories Of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-404 | Assessment And Evaluation In Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-405 | Individual Counseling Skills | 3 |
| COUN-406 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-408 | Research Seminar | 3 |
| COUN-409 | Career Development | 3 |
| COUN-410 | Seminar In School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-411 | Post Secondary College & Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-412 | Topics In School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-415 | Children And Youth In School And Family Systems | 3 |
| COUN-425 | Diagnosis And Treatment Of Addictive Disorders | 3 |
| COUN-427 | Diagnostic Systems For Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-430 | Social & Cultural Diversity In Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-442 | Practicum I:Group Supervision In School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-462 | Internship I:School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-472 | Internship II:School Counseling | 3 |
| Elective #1 (Consult with Advisor) | 3 | |
| Elective #2 (Consult with Advisor) | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Program Completion Requirements
School Counseling students must complete all course prerequisites and pass the School Counselor (235) exam prior to beginning Practicum.
Program Transition Levels:
Students must successfully complete all the program transition levels. Students cannot obtain more than two grades of “C” in graduate work as per the College of Graduate Studies and Research Policy. Students are required to earn a grade of "B" or better in their clinical courses (e.g., COUN 405, COUN 406, Practicum and Internship).
Transition Level I
- Successful completion of prerequisites for clinical skills training courses
- Completion of first-semester student survey
- Demonstration of appropriate professional and ethical behaviors and dispositions
- Minimum GPA of 3.00
- Passing key program assessments
Transition Level II
- Successful completion of clinical skills training coursework
- Demonstration of appropriate professional and ethical behaviors and dispositions
- Minimum GPA of 3.00
- Satisfactory rating on professional disposition evaluation
- Complete the Practicum application and submit to the Coordinator for Clinical Experiences
- Passing key program assessments for level II
Transition Level III
- Successful completion of clinical experiences including Practicum and Internship
- Completion of minimum of 100 hours of Practicum
- Completion of 600 hours of Internship
- Satisfactory ratings on all evaluations from site and university supervisors
- Demonstration of appropriate professional and ethical behaviors and dispositions
- Minimum GPA of 3.00
- Passing key program assessments for level III
Transition Level IV
- Completion of Exit Survey
- Passing of the departmental proficiency examination (DPE) prior to graduation
Exit requirements for degree completion:
- Successful completion of all transition levels and required credit hours
- Minimum GPA of 3.00
Clinical Experience
During the fall semester of the year before planning to do Practicum/Internship, students meet with their advisor to review readiness for Practicum and to sign the application form. Applications for clinical experience are distributed at the mandatory Practicum Orientation meeting or may be printed from the forms tab of the Department website. Applications for Practicum/Internship are due November 1 for fall placements of the following year. Students must attend a mandatory orientation meeting before submitting the application form. The date and the place of the orientation meeting are posted on the Department website, listserv, and Departmental bulletin boards. All applications must be reviewed and signed by the student’s advisor. The student may then submit the signed application and the student’s resume to the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences.
Practicum
Practicum is a 100 hour, field-based experience which requires a minimum of 40 hours of clinical contact with clients (contact hours), and is a prerequisite for Internship. Practicum is offered in the Fall semester.
Internship
Internship is a 600 hour, field-based experience which requires a minimum of 240 hours of clinical contact with clients. Students earn six credit hours for Internships I and II.
Departmental Proficiency Examination
Prior to graduation, all students are required to pass a comprehensive examination. The DPE application must be completed and signed by the student and their advisor and submitted to the Department of Counselor Education no later than two weeks prior to the exam date. School Counseling students may take the examination after completion of 36 credit hours of the following coursework:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COUN-401 | Professional Orientation & Legal/Ethical Practices | 3 |
| COUN-402 | Developmental Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-403 | Theories Of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-404 | Assessment And Evaluation In Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-405 | Individual Counseling Skills | 3 |
| COUN-406 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-408 | Research Seminar | 3 |
| COUN-409 | Career Development | 3 |
| COUN-427 | Diagnostic Systems For Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-430 | Social & Cultural Diversity In Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-410 | Seminar In School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-412 | Topics In School Counseling | 3 |
Requirements for Non-Degree School Counselor Endorsement
To complete the requirements for Non-Degree School Counseling Endorsement, students must successfully pass the following courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COUN-410 | Seminar In School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-411 | Post Secondary College & Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-412 | Topics In School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-415 | Children And Youth In School And Family Systems | 3 |
| COUN-442 | Practicum I:Group Supervision In School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-462 | Internship I:School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-472 | Internship II:School Counseling | 3 |
Please take note of the following critical update to the preceding DPE information: Each of the three semesters—Fall, Spring, and Summer—offers the DPE just once. To graduate, all students pursuing degrees in counselor education must pass the DPE. The scheduled dates are subject to change annually. For the most up-to-date and correct dates and instructions, visit the Counselor Education Current Student Resources Website.
Notification of Student Recess
Once having begun the Counselor Education program, if a student does not attend classes for more than two consecutive semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer), the student must notify the College of Graduate Studies and Research and the advisor of his/her intent to continue in the program. Faculty members reserve the right to review the student’s course work upon reentry by the student and to require that certain courses be repeated if necessary. Students have a maximum of six years in which to complete their degree programs.
This sample curricular map is provided to guide program planning for graduate students who plan to attend as full-time students. This guide should not replace regular consultations with your program advisor. For specific recommendations of courses not identified, please consult your program advisor. Please note that students may choose to attend either full-time or part-time, depending on their need.
The Plans of Study for the programs in Counselor Education should be used as general guidelines for the completion of courses. These plans suggest how a student might complete a program in two calendar years by beginning in the fall semester and attending through two summer semesters. There are many factors that affect how students complete their programs, including whether they begin in the fall or spring semesters and whether they attend full-time or part-time.
All students in Counselor Education will have a mandatory orientation at the beginning of their programs and have a faculty advisor who will help in the planning of each student’s course of study.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| COUN-401 | Professional Orientation Legal/Ethical Practices | 3 |
| COUN-403 | Theories Of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-410 | Seminar In School Counseling | 3 |
| Term Hours | 9 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| COUN-402 | Developmental Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-412 | Topics In School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-430 | Social Cultural Diversity In Counseling | 3 |
| Term Hours | 9 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| COUN-404 | Assessment And Evaluation In Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-409 | Career Development | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| COUN-405 | Individual Counseling Skills | 3 |
| COUN-415 | Children And Youth In School And Family Systems | 3 |
| COUN-408 | Research Seminar | 3 |
| Term Hours | 9 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| COUN-406 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-425 | Diagnosis And Treatment Of Addictive Disorders | 3 |
| Elective #1 | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 9 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| COUN-427 | Diagnostic Systems For Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-411 | Post Secondary College Career Counseling | 3 |
| Elective #2 | 3 | |
| Term Hours | 9 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| COUN-442 | Practicum I:Group Supervision In School Counseling | 3 |
| Term Hours | 3 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| COUN-463 | Internship I:Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-472 | Internship II:School Counseling | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours: | 60 | |