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With locations in Tahlequah, Muskogee and Broken Arrow, NSU is Oklahoma’s immersive learning institution. Choose from in-person, blended or online learning options.

Scholarships

NSU is committed to assisting students in applying and earning scholarships. Whether you are an incoming freshman or a continuing/returning student, NSU has a wide variety of scholarship options for students to choose from.

Clubs and Organizations

From networking to leadership opportunities, NSU’s over 80 clubs and organizations allow our students to build lasting relationships while getting the full college experience.

Homecoming

In 1924, NSU hosted its first-ever homecoming. One hundred years later, NSU and the Alumni Association invite you to return to NSU for the centennial celebration - Forever Green.

Graduate College

Whether transitioning to graduate school or returning to higher education, NSU’s graduate college is your next step. Choose from over 25 master's degrees and several certificate programs.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COUNSELING

Purpose

The mission of this program is to prepare persons for careers in counseling. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling, and School Counseling tracks all lead to eligibility for licensure as Professional Counselors (LPC). The School Counseling track also leads to eligibility for PK-12 school counseling certification, and those in the Addiction Counseling track will be eligible for licensure as Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC).

Student Learning Outcomes

Student learning outcomes are aligned with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) standards. These outcomes, articulated as key performance indicators (KPIs) are detailed in the Counseling Key Performance Indicators document.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling. All of the emphasis courses in the Master’s of Science in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling option meet the academic requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Oklahoma (https://www.ok.gov/behavioralhealth/). A list of requirements can be found on the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health web page under Acts and Regulations. Each applicant for the LPC licensure will take and pass a written exam according to State Board of Behavioral Health. The counseling program’s exit exam is designed to prepare students for the National Counselor Exam (NCE). The exit exam covers the same eight core subject domains. Clinical Mental Health Counseling students who wish to pursue the LADC licensure are required to complete an additional 12 credit hours of addiction counseling courses in order to meet state requirements.

School Counseling. All of the emphasis courses in the Master’s of Science in Counseling: School Counseling option meet the academic requirements to become a certified PK-12 school counselor in the state of Oklahoma. Licensing and credentialing varies by states as there is not currently a national license or certification for school counseling. The American School Counselor Association lists the credentialing requirements per state at the following website: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/careers-roles/state-certification-requirements. Each applicant for the Oklahoma School Counseling certification will take and pass the following exams offered by the  Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (840 Research Parkway, Suite 455, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-522-5399), www.ok.gov/oeqa: (1) The Oklahoma General Education Test [OGET]; (2) Oklahoma’s Subject Area Test in school counseling [OSAT]; and (3) Oklahoma Professional Teaching Exam [OPTE]. Students also leave the program with all the necessary course requirements in order to sit for the National Counselor Exam and to pursue licensing as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Addiction Counseling. All of the emphasis courses in the Masters of Science in Counseling: Addiction Counseling option meet the academic requirements to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Oklahoma (http://www.okdrugcounselors.org). A list of requirements can be found on the Oklahoma State Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (OSBADC) web page under the link Basic Requirements. The OSBADC establishes the state examination requirements to become an LADC (Title 38; Senate Bill 1277) based on standards established by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). Each applicant for the LADC licensure will take and pass written and oral examinations according to State Board standards. The counseling program’s exit exam is designed to prepare students for the National Counselor Exam (NCE). The exit exam covers the same eight core subject domains.

The M.S. in Counseling degree program is a cohort program. In order to take Counseling graduate courses, the student must be admitted to the M.S. in Counseling degree and MUST complete courses in the sequence listed on their degree plan. Any exceptions must be approved by the Department Chair.

Non-degree seeking students may not take any “clinical” (i.e., Group Process, Practicum I, Practicum II, and Internship) courses and enrollment in all other courses is contingent on space availability and prior approval of the Department Chair.

Counseling, M.S. - 60 hours


Select One of the Following Three Emphases


Addiction Counseling (6141) 21 hours


In addition to core Counseling courses, those seeking preparation to be addiction counselors should take the following courses:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (6142) 21 hours


In addition to core Counseling courses, those seeking preparation to be clinical mental health counselors should take the following courses:

School Counseling (6143) 21 hours


In addition to core Counseling courses, those seeking preparation to be school counselors should take the following courses:

Thesis (optional)


The thesis is an option with all emphases.

 

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Degree Available At

  • Tahlequah

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Career Services

What Can I Do With A Major in Counseling?

Program Chair:

Dr. Alexandra Meyers Ellett

Dr. Alexandra Meyers Ellett
918-449-6589

 

 

 

 

Program Requirements

  • Resume/Vitae
  • Cover Letter
  • 3.0 GPA
  • 2 References

Application Deadline

  • Fall Semester - December 15th for following Fall Semester
  • If spots become available, an additional application deadline of June 8th may open

 

*Fees include: facility fee, student activity fee, infrastructure fee, cultural/scholastic lecturer fee, student ID fee, technology services fee and remedial course fee, if applicable. NSU courses taught at off campus locations or online might have additional fees assessed. These totals are tuition and fee estimations per program based on the current catalog year. Books, supplies and some fees may not be included.

47%

Minority Students

$48,195,863

Total Aid Disbursed in 2020-2021

1,471

Bachelors Degrees Awarded Last Year

nsu recognized by study dot com as one of the bestnsu ranked as the best bachelor in finance program

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