Counselor Education

Department of Counselor Education

The Department of Counselor Education has a twofold purpose: First, in keeping with the urban mission of Texas Southern University, the department seeks to prepare master level and doctoral level students to make a significant contribution to the resolution of problems for people living in an urban environment in particular, as well as those attempting to cope with societal demands in non-urban settings. Second, the department seeks to prepare prospective counselors, classroom teachers, and other professionals with the knowledge and skills essential for an understanding of the individual and his/her educational, vocational, health, and social problems. Thus, the mission of the Department of Counselor Education is to prepare counselors, who value equity and equality, to meet the demands of a culturally and linguistically diverse clientele through a special emphasis on knowledge bases and internships in an urban setting.

Programs Offered

The Department of Counselor Education offers two degree programs: Master of Education in Counseling and Doctor of Education in Counselor Education. Also, offered are programs leading to professional certification in School Counseling and licensure for professional counseling in the private sector.

Master's Degree-48 Semester Hours

The M.Ed. degree is offered in the following two tracks:
School Counseling and Community Counseling.

The School Counseling track prepares students to become Pre K-12 school counselors. Students become familiar with the design and implementation of the comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling model . In addition to core counseling courses, students take courses specific to school counseling. The School Counseling track meets the requirements for Texas school counselor certification.

The Community Counseling track prepares students to become counselors in community agencies and other private sectors. This track meets the requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor in Texas.

All master level students must complete a 300-hour, counseling internship in an appropriate clinical setting.

Doctoral Degree-60 Semester Hours

The Ed.D. in Counselor Education at Texas Southern University prepares students (1) to transmit knowledge; (2) to create knowledge; and , (3) to provide public service. Graduates are prepared for a wide range of positions ( e.g. community/school counselors, counselor educators, advocates, leaders, consultants, and administrators) which demand a broad spectrum of knowledge and professional skills applicable to a variety of problematic situations.

Students must complete a 600-hour, two-semester counseling internship in an appropriate clinical setting, in addition to a dissertation.

Admission Requirements

Master's Program

There are two admission tracks to the Master of Education Degree Program.

Unconditional Admission

Earned bachelor's degree, or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. An example of the "equivalent," as indicated above, may be a foreign student who has graduated from a college or university that issues a diploma or certificate instead of a degree.
A satisfactory undergraduate sequence of courses in the proposed major.
The applicant's undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) on the last 60 hours of course work times 100 plus the GRE verbal and quantitative scores total must be at least 900.
A score of at least 500 on the TOEFL, if the applicant is a foreign student.

Conditional Admission

Earned bachelor's degree, or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. An example of the "equivalent," as indicated above may be a foreign student who has graduated from a college or university that issues a diploma or certificate instead of a degree.
A satisfactory undergraduate sequence of courses in the proposed major.
The applicant's undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) on the last 60 semester hours of course work times 100; in addition, the GRE verbal and quantitative score total must be at least 800. Students admitted on a conditional status will be required to meet unconditional admission criteria by the end of 12 semester hours of course work.

Students who wish to pursue the Master of Education degree in counseling are expected to have completed an undergraduate degree in the field of education, psychology, social work, or a related field.

Doctoral Program

There is no conditional admission status to the doctoral program.

Admissions to the Doctor of Education Program

A Master's Degree in Counseling or related field(s)
GPA of 3.25
Acceptable (weighted) GRE (minimum 700)
Three (3) letters of reference
Portfolio demonstrating experiences
Interview with doctoral faculty in proposed area of study
Personal Statement
Evidence of additional training.

NCATE PRECONDITION 6.1

Precondition 5

Counseling Department

Transition Points	Assessments Used
Transition point #1: Admission a.Master’s Degree (Unconditional) Master’s Degree (Conditional)	All applicants must meet the following criteria before confirmed admission Bachelor’s degree Satisfactory undergraduate sequence of courses Undergraduate grade point average (on last 60 hours of course work) times 100 plus GRE verbal and quantitative scores total must be at least 900. At least 500 on the TOEFL (foreign students) Students may be admitted to the program during fall, spring or summer Bachelor’s degree Satisfactory undergraduate sequence of courses Undergraduate grade point average (on last 60 hours of course work) times 100 plus GRE verbal and quantitative scores total must be at least 800
Transition point #2: Benchmark I (Pass Objective Test)	All candidates in the program must complete the same assessment at the same point. The assessment consists of an objective test with 80% mastery. The objective test will be administered once during each semester term. All candidates will be assessed at the completion of 12 designated hours. Data from the objective test will be disaggregated by content area and other data (content grade reports, survey data, student course evaluation forms)will be employed and reviewed to improve and update course program operations.
Transition point #3: Benchmark 2 (Pass Interpersonal Skills Evaluation)	All candidates in the program must complete the same assessment at the same point. Pass Interpersonal Skills Evaluation while enrolled in COUN 736 – Supervised Counseling Laboratory. In addition, candidates must demonstrate 80% mastery upon completion of COUN 736. Data from the Interpersonal Skills Evaluation will be reviewed regularly and systematically to improve and update course program operations. In addition other data (objective tests, GPA, transcript, faculty input) will be aggregated with the Interpersonal Skills Evaluation to determine whether a student should be exited from the program.
Transition point #4: Benchmark 3 (Pass Departmental Comprehensive Examination)	All candidates in the program must complete the same assessment at the same point. At the completion of 39 semester hours candidates must take the Departmental Comprehensive Examination. All candidates must have a passing score of 80% or better on the examination. Data from the Departmental Comprehensive Examination will be reviewed regularly and systematically to improve and update course program operations. Data will be disaggregated by content area and other data (content grade reports, survey data, other objective tests, student course evaluation forms)will be used to modify and improve the validity and reliability of the instrument.
Transition point #5: Program Completion	All candidates must demonstrate mastery of at least 80% of the competencies embedded in a candidate’s course of study. All candidates must have earned a GPA of 3.0 upon completion of all of the degree requirements. Earn the master’s degree in counseling

Degree Requirements

Requirements for the Master of Education degree

1.Achieve unconditional admission status.

2.File a degree plan in the Graduate School Office.

3.Demonstrate proficiency in English, either by examination or passing the course, English 501 or a GRE verbal score of 550 or more.

4.Pass the departmental comprehensive examination.

5.Complete the required 48 semester credit hours with a 3.00 average.

6.Complete a 300 hour (soon to change to two semesters -600) Practicum in an approved setting.

7.File for graduation.

In addition, the Department of Counselor Education requires that the individual working toward certification* and /or a degree in Counseling shall possess certain qualifications which are considered necessary for school counselors and agency (non-school) counselors. The evaluation of the qualifications of the individuals based on observations of the student by members of the faculty, individual interviews with the student, the results of various standardized tests, and the student's interest in the field.

*A students with a master's degree in an area other than Counseling must complete a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in Counseling to qualify to take the state examination for school counselors.

Requirements for the Doctor of Education degree

1.Be admitted unconditionally to the Doctor of Education degree program.

2.Satisfy residency requirement for two consecutive semesters of full-time, or an approved equivalency.

3.In addition to the two years of professional experience required for admission, meet the internship requirements of two consecutive semesters, if required, in the degree program.

4.Satisfy the 60 semester credit hours (SCH), including 6 hours of internship and 6 hours of dissertation within a seven year period.

5.Demonstrate proficiency in English either by examination or passing the course, English 50l or a GRE verbal score of 550 or more if Master's degree was not earned at Texas Southern.

6.Pass the comprehensive examination.

7.Be admitted to candidacy for the doctorate degree.

8.Prepare an acceptable abstract, proposal and dissertation.

9.Pass a final oral examination. The oral examination will be a defense of the doctoral dissertation and other topics that may be designated by the Dissertation Committee.

10.Present three approved copies of the doctoral dissertation in the final form and three copies of the abstract to the Graduate Office.

11.Apply for graduation.