Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Counseling, MEd


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Education  > Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences  > Counseling, MEd


The Masters of Education in Counseling program prepares students for careers in professional counseling as well as for future doctoral study. The program’s faculty is dedicated to providing graduates a deep understanding of counseling theories, skills and techniques. Graduates will gain an understanding and awareness of the role and influence of the counselor in providing services to a diverse population and will be able to apply relevant research to broaden their knowledge of delivery and counseling services.

The objective of the Master’s Program in Counseling is to prepare competent counselors to work in a professional capacity with diverse clients and to assume entry-level positions in mental health settings. Graduates in this program track seek licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors. There are also some students who complete this masters program to help gain later entry into the Ph.D. program.

The program includes a strong theoretical background as well as practical training and experience. There is also an emphasis on the ecological-developmental approach in counseling that considers the influences on persons in environments and makes use of strengths of individuals.

Students complete coursework and practicum, and either a Comprehensive Exam or Master’s Thesis. Graduates will learn:

  • Counseling theories, skills, and techniques for diverse populations with various counseling issues or needs
  • Understanding and awareness of the role and influence of the counselor in providing services to diverse cultural, ethnic, religious, gendered and social populations
  • Knowledge of legal, ethical, and moral responsibilities related to the practice of professional or school counseling
  • Application of relevant empirical research to broaden knowledge of delivery and counseling services
  • Understanding and knowledge of effective and appropriate assessment and evaluation of clients or students in placements and delivery of interventions

Graduates successfully pass the exams to become Licensed Professional Counselors at very high rates. Alumni find employment in diverse settings, including:

  • K-12 schools
  • Community Colleges and Universities
  • Mental and health care facilities

Graduates of the M.Ed. in Counseling may pursue the following careers:

  • College Counselor
  • Community Agency Counselor
  • Probation Counselor
  • Career Counselor
  • Employee Assistance Program Counselor

For more information, please visit the Masters of Education in Counseling program page.

Admission Requirements


The College of Education takes into consideration a number of criteria when determining admission, including prior college or university performance, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores and statement of intent. All applicants must abide by the minimum qualifications for admissions to a masters or doctoral program. All graduate applicants (regardless of citizenship status) must demonstrate proficiency in English to obtain admission to the University. For more information, visit www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/international-students/english-proficiency/.

An applicant is responsible for ensuring that all required materials for the evaluation of admissions are received by the College before the program’s deadline. If the application is not complete by the program’s deadline, it will not be evaluated for the admissions. Full details of the online application process can be found at www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/how-to-apply.

Applicant checklist:

  1. Complete online graduate application including statement of interest, resume/c.v., letters of recommendation, and application fee payment.
  2. Official transcripts from all previous college/university work sent to the UH Graduate School
  3. Official reporting of GRE scores taken in the last five years
  4. International students have additional documentation requirements which can be found at www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/international-students/

Grade Point Average Requirements

Admission requirements for the College of Education require a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.6 for undergraduate coursework or over the last 60 credit hours of coursework. The College requires a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for graduate coursework. The College’s admission committees evaluate all credentials submitted by applicants to determine a student’s ability and potential to succeed in graduate study. In addition, the committee is interested in the applicant’s potential to contribute to his/her program of study and the University community as a whole.

Degree Requirements


Credit hours required for this degree: 60.0

The Master of Education in Counseling consists of a minimum of 60 semester credit hours to fulfill course requirements for professional counselor preparation.

The program includes a common College of Education core of:

  1. Six (6) term hours in areas of human development and inquiry
  2. Thirty-three (33) term hours of core counseling and methods courses
  3. Twenty-one (21) term hours of advisor-approved elective courses, including completion of a Comprehensive Exam or Masters Thesis

College Core Courses


These courses correspond to the core course specified for all master’s degree programs in the College of Education.

Counseling Core Courses


All students complete the following core counseling courses:

Electives


Students select elective courses in consultation with their academic advisor and/or the program coordinator. Courses may be selected from the following list or from courses that are offered in the Department of Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences or the Department of Psychology.

Students choosing the thesis option take five (5) elective courses from below, in addition to PHLS 66399 & 7399. Students pursing a comprehensive exam should select seven (7) courses from the list below.

Elective counseling courses (7 courses/21 hours), including thesis/comprehensive exam option:

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