Master’s and Dual Degree Program Areas

Core courses are the basic building blocks for the professional counselor, regardless of setting. All master’s and dual degree students take courses in the following areas:

  • the helping relationship and basic helping skills
  • developmental counseling
  • counseling theories
  • group theories, dynamics, and process
  • lifestyle and career development
  • multicultural counseling
  • measurement and appraisal
  • research and evaluation
  • professional orientation and ethics

In addition, a sequence of specialized courses are offered within each program area (i.e., school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and college counseling/student development in higher education). Students also may take courses in substance abuse, sexual abuse, couples counseling, family counseling, human sexuality, grief and loss, and counseling children, adolescents, adults in midlife, and older adults, among others. Program requirements also allow students to take courses offered by other departments (e.g., parent-child relations, divorce and remarriage, education of exceptional individuals, the community college, etc.), which enable students to broaden their knowledge base in their area of interest. Corequisite practica experiences are offered in conjunction with most core and specialized counseling courses. In addition, students complete a 600-hour, two-semester counseling internship in an appropriate clinical setting. Courses and supervised counseling experiences are arranged in an intentional, developmental sequence across two years (Ms, 60 hours) or two and one-half years (Eds, 72 hours)

CED Master’s/Ed.S. Programs

Areas of Study:

*Background check required

*Liability insurance required

Post-Master’s Certificates

Post-Master’s Certificates Programs are offered in three areas: school counseling, and advanced school counseling. These programs were designed to meet practicing counselors’ needs for professional development, in response to advances and greater specialization in the profession.

The curriculum for each of these certificates is based on national accreditation standards, competency statements, and/or certification standards for each of the areas. Each certificate consists of a minimum of 18-24 semester hours of required course work, including internship requirements. Co-requisite hours may be required for students whose master’s degree was not completed in a CACREP-accredited counseling program.

Post-Master’s Certificate in School Counseling:

Deadline: July 1st (Fall), November 1st (Spring), April 1st (Summer)

The Post-Master’s Certificate in School Counseling is open to individuals who have a Master’s in Counseling, but who are not licensed school counselors. This program is at least 27 hours in length and class are held on campus in a didactic format. Graduates are eligible for a North Carolina School Counselor’s license (M-Level). You must apply for this program through the UNCG Graduate School Website.

Post-Master’s Certificate in Advanced School Counseling:

Deadline: December 1st for Spring entry

The Post-Master’s Certificate in Advanced School Counseling is open only to fully licensed school counselors with at least two years of full-time school counseling experience and who completed a master’s degree program of at least 48 hours. The Post-Master’s Certificate in Advanced School Counseling is fully online and consists of four sequential required courses (12 semester hours). Students are admitted in the spring semester only. Graduates are eligible for the Advanced North Carolina Counselor’s license (S-level).

Applications must include:

  1. A copy of the applicant’s active M level license from North Carolina.
  2. At least two years of experience in a school as a school counselor (for inquires about this requirement, please contact CED Admissions (336.334.3434).
  3. A transcript indicating a master’s degree with a plan of study at least 48 hours long.
  4. One letter of endorsement from your current principal or other school administrator.
  5. A personal statement including professional goals.

We are now implementing a completely electronic application process. To apply follow these steps:

  1. Go to http://www.uncg.edu/grs/
  2. Click on “Prospective Students”
  3. Click on “apply online” and follow the instructions to create an account.

Doctoral Degrees (Ph.D.)

The doctoral program is built on the CACREP master’s degree program, so that it is assumed that students already have a broad academic foundation and successful clinical experiences, as described above. The doctoral program involves a three-year intentional, developmental sequence of coursework, internships, and research experiences that prepare students for faculty positions as well as clinical, consultation, advocacy, and leadership roles. The program emphasizes high levels of critical thinking, including analysis of empirical research related to counseling theories and practice as well as counselor education and supervision. Students have hands-on involvement in the research process beginning in the first semester and throughout the program, with increasing independence under the supervision of faculty members.

Professional core courses at the doctoral level involve advanced study in the following areas:

  • Counseling theories and research, including individual, group, and career theories
  • Multicultural counseling and theories of change
  • Assessment and appraisal
  • Consultation, advocacy, and professional leadership
  • Clinical supervision
  • Professional, ethical, and legal issues in counselor education
  • Pedagogy in counselor education

 

Doctoral students also complete in-depth study in a cognate area outside the School of Education that encourages an inter-disciplinary perspective of their work. In addition, they complete an extensive sequence of coursework in research methods, program evaluation, and statistics. Comprehensive exams (written and oral) during the second year are based in reading, reflection, and critical analysis of literature related to the students’ research interests. During the third year, students work closely with their dissertation committee to plan and conduct their dissertation, including a pilot and the main study, culminating in the oral defense.

Doctoral students complete an advanced practicum experience in the Vacc Clinic during their first semester, which involves direct contact with clients and supervision with two faculty members. Their internships involve at least one semester each of supervised experience in counseling (in an appropriate clinical setting), supervision (of master’s students), and college teaching. Several of these experiences typically are part of the doctoral students’ assigned graduate assistantship responsibilities.

Throughout their program, doctoral students are encouraged to make presentations at state, regional, and national conferences; write for publication; and become involved in professional service and leadership activities.

A complete listing of Departmental course offerings is available on the UNCG Graduate School Online Catalog