How do I know if counseling is right for me? Do you have an undergraduate program?

If you would like a good introduction to the profession of counseling, please consider registering for EPsy 5401 Counseling Procedures, which is offered every term. Contact the instructor for permission to register. Please note that this course is not a part of either the M.A. or Ph.D. degree programs, so it does not meet the course requirements for either degree. Also, please be aware that according to Graduate School policy, courses taken before the awarding of an undergraduate degree cannot be transferred into a graduate program.

There is no undergraduate program in CSPP, but interested undergraduates may want to consider the new applied psychology in educational and community settings (APECS) undergraduate minor offered within the College of Education and Human Development.

Is the M.A. or Ph.D. degree program right for me? What can I do with an M.A. or Ph.D. in counseling?

The master of arts (M.A.) degree is a generalist program that emphasizes the practice of individual and group counseling and focuses on interviewing, counseling theory, testing, and career development.

An M.A. degree can lead to the following types of careers: community agency counselor, K-12 school counselor, college counselor or student development professional, career counselor, or human resource development specialist. To prepare you for these professional roles, we provide a program that emphasizes generic counseling and research skills.

Conceptually, the program is built on a synthesis of psychological approaches to human growth. This leads to a broad course of study but one with strong, unifying themes. The CSPP faculty are also committed to addressing current social issues such as multicultural and diversity concerns, gender roles, and substance abuse prevention.

The primary objective of the CSPP doctoral (Ph.D.) program in counseling psychology is to provide a fundamental body of knowledge and skills that prepares counseling psychologists for work in a variety of settings. This program subscribes to a scientist/practitioner model, which assumes that scholarly inquiry and counseling practice are interdependent and complementary. An important mission is to prepare counseling psychologists who will bring a researcher’s attitude and interest to bear on the application of psychological and psychoeducational knowledge. Therefore, students are trained to become skilled clinicians as well as producers and critical consumers of research.

A Ph.D. degree can lead to the following types of careers: counseling psychologist, university/college faculty member, university psychologist or student development professional, director of college counseling and personnel services, career development coordinator, research specialist in counseling, community agency psychologist, counselor educator, counselor in employee assistance and outplacement programs, director of school counseling services, and human resource development manager. This program provides a strong base in counseling theory, practice and research, as well as specializations of your choice. These specializations can be enhanced by practicums and internships in colleges, hospitals, community agencies, and businesses.

The doctoral program has been American Psychological Association (APA) accredited since 1952. For information about APA accreditation status, contact the APA Committee on Accreditation, c/o Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, phone: 202-336-5500, www.apa.org.

What are expectations regarding student self-disclosure while enrolled in CSPP?

The practice of counseling requires significant self-disclosure and personal introspection for the person receiving counseling. Counseling students must become very familiar and comfortable working with the process of individual self-disclosure and introspection. Therefore, it is an essential training component of the CSPP program to provide assignments and classroom experiences that call for students (i.e., counselors-in-training) to self-disclose and personally introspect about personal life experiences to an extent not expected in their academic disciplines. As such, the CSPP faculty is committed to and expects an atmosphere of respect and confidentiality among our students.

These expectations are in accordance with the American Psychological Association (APA) whose comments regarding the ethics of requiring self-disclosure in an academic program are as follows: Psychologists do not require students or supervisees to disclose personal information in course- or program-related activities, either orally or in writing, regarding sexual history, history of abuse and neglect, psychological treatment, and relationships with parents, peers, and spouses or significant others except if (1) the program or training facility has clearly identified this requirement in its admissions and program materials or (2) the information is necessary to evaluate or obtain assistance for students whose personal problems could reasonably be judged to be preventing them from performing their training- or professionally-related activities in a competent manner or posing a threat to the students or others. (APA, 2002, 7.04).

Because (1) and (2) above apply to our program, we require self-disclosure in our academic program. In summary, we require that our students be willing to engage in self-examination (i.e., to disclose personal information in an academic context), and to learn to interact in an ethical and facilitative manner with individuals who are both culturally similar as well as different from themselves, in terms of both demographics and values.

This statement has been adapted from the following other universities and/or Counseling Psychology Program statements: Auburn University, Miami University, University of Missouri-Columbia, and the University of North Dakota.

How do I become a school counselor/guidance counselor? Do I have to have a master’s degree or a teaching degree to be a school counselor? Can I receive a Ph.D. in school counseling?

You must have a master’s degree to be a licensed K-12 school counselor in Minnesota. If you do not have a master’s degree, you can apply to our M.A. degree program with an emphasis in school counseling.

If you already have a graduate degree (M.A., M.S., M.Ed., Ph.D., or Ed.D.) in a related field, you can pursue the school counseling licensure program (K-12). You will not receive a second M.A., and will take only the coursework that completes the requirements for the Minnesota K-12 school counseling license. Most of the courses are offered later in the day, however, school-day practicums may be required.

After you have completed either the M.A. or the licensure-only program, you can then apply for the Minnesota Department of Education’s K-12 school counselor license.

A teaching degree is not required for the school counseling license. However, CSPP school counseling students without a K-12 teaching background must complete six credits of additional coursework.

There is no such degree as a Ph.D. in school counseling. You can pursue a Ph.D. in educational psychology—counseling and student personnel psychology (CSPP), with an emphasis in school counseling by selecting coursework, clinical experiences, and research projects that are particularly relevant to school counseling.

How long are the programs? Is there a part-time M.A. or Ph.D. program?

The master’s program is typically a two-year, full-time program. During the second year of the program students spend 2-3 full days per week at a practicum site practicing their counseling skills under the supervision of an appropriately licensed counselor.

The doctoral program is typically a five-year, full-time program. The CSPP Ph.D. program assumes prior completion of the CSPP master’s degree. This means that some or all CSPP M.A. classes may be added to the required coursework for Ph.D. students who lack needed masters-level courses. These program requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis after admission to the program and may lengthen the doctoral program timeline up to two additional years.

Both the M.A. and Ph.D. programs are only offered in full-time program formats.

What types of licenses are there for counselors or therapists?

Listed below are some of the Minnesota licenses available and their associated governing boards. Please note that additional licensure exam(s), post-graduation credits, and professional supervision may be required to complete the licensure process for some of the licenses listed below.

Licensed school counselor (K-12). Contact the Minnesota Department of Education, education.state.mn.us/mde/
Teacher_Support/Educator_Licensing/Licensure_Forms/. Successful completion of the CSPP M.A. program in the school counseling track (or school counseling licensure-only program prepares you to pursue this Minnesota licensure.

Licensed professional counselor (LPC). Contact the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT), www.bbht.state.mn.us. Successful completion of the CSPP M.A. program prepares you to pursue this Minnesota licensure.

Licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC). Contact the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT), www.bbht.state.mn.us/. Successful completion of the CSPP M.A. program prepares you to pursue this Minnesota licensure.

Licensed psychological practitioner (LPP). Contact the Minnesota Board of Psychology, www.psychologyboard.state.mn.us/license.asp. Successful completion of the CSPP M.A. program prepares you to pursue this Minnesota licensure. Please note that due to changes in Minnesota law all LPP licensures will terminate at the end of 2011.

Licensed psychologist (LP). Contact the Minnesota Board of Psychology, www.psychologyboard.state.mn.us/license.asp. Successful completion of the CSPP Ph.D. program prepares you to pursue this Minnesota licensure.

The following two licensures are related to counseling psychology, but may require more or somewhat different preparation than what is provided within the CSPP program.

Licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT). Contact the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy (BMFT), www.bmft.state.mn.us. If you are interested in LMFT licensure you should also look into the marriage and family therapy program in the Department of Family Social Science.

Licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC). Contact the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT), www.bbht.state.mn.us. If you are interested in LADC licensure you should also look into the addiction studies certificate program in the College of Continuing Education.

Do CSPP graduates find positions locally? If I receive a degree from this program, will I be eligible to practice counseling in another state or country?

Yes, CSPP graduates are employed locally, nationally, and internationally.

Each U.S. state has its own governing bodies and requirements regarding clinical practice at the master and doctoral levels. A master’s degree or a Ph.D. degree from the Department of Educational Psychology–CSPP should provide many if not all of the necessary curricular experiences. You should review the requirements for the locale in which you wish to practice to compare them with the CSPP curriculum. Most states also will require post-degree experiences and that you pass an exam such as the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE). The National Board for Certified Counselors lists information on state requirements as well as national counselor certification.

What is the job outlook in this field?

For information about job growth and potential salary in the field of counseling, find current statistics online at the U.S. Department of Labor, with additional resources available through ISEEK, a Minnesota-based career, employment, education, and business development site.

What’s the difference between a school counselor and a school psychologist? Within the Department of Educational Psychology, how does the CSPP program differ from the school psychology program?

While both school counselors and school psychologists typically are based in school settings, one key distinction between the two is that most school counselors engage primarily in counseling while most school psychologists primarily do testing.

The CSPP M.A. and Ph.D. programs provide fundamental knowledge and skills that prepare practitioners and researchers for work in a variety of settings that may include schools. The school psychology track is designed to prepare school psychologists who have a strong and broad-based knowledge of psychology, educational psychology, and child development, and are prepared to apply that knowledge to school settings. For additional information about the school psychology program, please go to their Web site.

How does the Department of Educational Psychology’s CSPP program differ from the Psychology Department’s counseling psychology program?

Both programs are accredited by the American Psychological Association and both programs are based on scientist-practitioner models. The two programs vary with respect to faculty research and applied interests and pursuits. In addition, the Psychology Department’s counseling psychology program takes an empirical-research viewpoint toward counseling psychology and is designed to prepare students for academic, research, and practice careers at the Ph.D. level. The Psychology Department does not offer a master’s degree option.

Are there CSPP classes that I can take prior to being admitted to the M.A. program?

There are typically a very limited number of classes among those required for the M.A. that accept non-admitted students. If you wish to register for any of these courses with the expectation that your credits will be applied toward your degree if and when you are accepted to the program at a future date, then it is essential that you take the course(s) for graduate credit. Registration for these or any other Educational Psychology courses may be restricted due to class capacity and instructor discretion.

Classes you might register for include:

• EPsy 5231 Introductory Statistics and Measurement in Education
• EPsy 8132 Personality Development and Socialization

And any ONE of the following learning and cognition survey courses:

• EPsy 5101 Intelligence and Creativity
• EPsy 5112 Knowing, Learning, and Thinking
• EPsy 5114 Psychology of Student Learning
• EPsy 5115 Psychology of Adult Learning and Instruction
• Psy 5014 Psychology of Human Learning and Memory

In order to register for any of the courses above you must complete the Request for Graduate Credit (for Non-degree Students) form and then deliver or fax it to Sharon Sawyer, 250 Education Sciences Building, 56 East River Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55455; phone: 612-624-6083; fax: 612-624-8241. Other questions about registration and tuition costs can be answered by the One Stop Student Services Center or via the One Stop Contact page. Please note that it may also be necessary to directly contact the instructor of a course in order to obtain permission to complete your registration using the procedures above.

What is the application deadline? How do I apply to CSPP?

CSPP admits students once per year. The application deadline is December 1st for admission the following fall semester. All completed applications received by December 1 will be reviewed in their entirety. Application materials received after December 1 may be accepted, but review of these materials is not guaranteed.

Full instructions on how to apply to the CSPP program are available via the admissions section of our Web site.

Is the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) required? How do I register to take the GRE and then submit my scores??

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing) is required of all applicants for admission and must have been taken within five years of the application date. An official score report must be sent to the University of Minnesota Graduate school, institution code 6874.

It may take several weeks for official score reports to reach the University. Be sure to take the GRE well in advance of the December 1 deadline to ensure that your score will be received prior to the deadline. In addition to the official score report sent to the Graduate School, you must submit an unofficial score report (photocopies are fine) directly to CSPP via postal mail, preferably along with any other application materials sent directly to CSPP.

To make arrangements to take the GRE, contact your nearest college or university counseling or testing center or contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS): www.gre.org; GRE-ETS, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton NJ 08541-6000; or 1-866-473-4373.

The University Counseling and Consulting Service Testing Center provides test administration, scoring, and score reporting services to the University of Minnesota and surrounding community. The Computer-Based Testing Center on campus administers the GRE General exam.

Is an English language test (TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS) required for international applicants whose native language is not English?

The TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS is required of all international applicants whose native language is not English, except those who will have completed 24 quarter credits/16 semester credits (within the past 24 months) in residence as a full-time student at a recognized institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota.

For applicants who must take the TOEFL, MELAB, or IELTS, the test date must be no more than two years before you expect to begin the program. For example, if you hope to begin the CSPP program in September 2009 (and therefore are applying by December 1, 2008), the oldest acceptable exam results would be from September 2007.

For applicants who must take the TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB, an official score report must be sent to the Graduate School using the appropriate institution code. It may take several weeks for official score reports to reach the University. Be sure to take any required exams well in advance of the December 1 deadline to ensure that your score will be received prior to the deadline. In addition to the official score report sent to the Graduate School, you must submit an unofficial score report (photocopies are fine) from the TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB directly to CSPP via postal mail, preferably along with any other application materials sent directly to CSPP.

The operational standard for admission to the Graduate School is a score of at least 79 on the Internet based TOEFL with section scores of 21 on writing and 19 on reading (213 on the computer based TOEFL, 550 on the paper based TOEFL), a score of 6.5 on the IELTS, or 80 on the MELAB.

For more information about the TOEFL, MELAB, and IELTS tests, please see the Graduate School Web site. The Computer-Based Testing Center on campus also administers the TOEFL examination.

What are average undergraduate GPAs and GRE scores for applicants admitted to the program?

The Graduate School prefers an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for admission to any graduate program. For students admitted to the CSPP M.A. program last year the average undergraduate GPA was approximately 3.62 on a 4.0 scale. Students admitted to the Ph.D. program had an average undergraduate GPA of approximately 3.67.

For GRE scores, students admitted to the CSPP M.A. program in the last admission cycle had average scores as follows: 637 Quantitative, 546 Verbal, and 4.6 Writing. Average GRE scores for students admitted to the CSPP Ph.D. program during the same admissions cycle were 686 Quantitative, 599 Verbal, and 4.9 Writing.

Is a resume/vitae required with my application materials?

A resume or vitae is not required, but is preferred.

Does CSPP interview applicants?

CSPP does not conduct interviews with applicants. Admissions decisions are made on the basis of submitted application materials.

What does the admissions committee look for in the application? Are applicants who were not accepted in previous years considered equally with new applicants?

The admissions committee considers a variety of factors including your prior academic achievement, GRE scores, relevant employment and life experiences, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and compatibility of your clinical and research interests with those of the program and faculty.

The updated application materials for repeat applicants are reviewed according to the same process as those of first-time applicants. However, if you have applied and not been admitted to the program in the past, it is prudent to consider what steps you might take to strengthen your application in preparation for a future admissions cycle.

Do I need to have a master’s degree to apply to the Ph.D. program? Can I apply to both the Ph.D. and M.A. programs?

A master’s degree in counseling psychology is not required prior to applying to the Ph.D. program although there is a preference for applicants who have such a degree. Admitted Ph.D. students who do not hold an M.A. degree from CSPP may need to take some M.A.-level classes as a part of their Ph.D. program. This requirement may extend the total time in the program beyond the basic five year timeline.

Applicants apply to just one degree program. If you apply to the Ph.D. program and are not accepted, you will automatically be considered for the M.A. program provided that you do not yet hold a master’s degree in counseling psychology.

When will I be notified of the admissions decision?

The date on which you will hear back from the CSPP program will vary based on whether you are being considered for the Ph.D. or M.A. program as well as the volume of applications received. Typically applicants for the Ph.D. program receive a letter from CSPP during January or February following the admissions deadline. Applicants to the M.A. program (and Ph.D. applicants being considered for the M.A. program) can typically expect to hear from CSPP during February or March.

Applicants who are recommended for admission by the CSPP program will receive a letter from CSPP indicating this. The Graduate School then makes the official admissions determination and will inform you of their decision via the e-mail address you provided on your ApplyYourself online application.

Is this a competitive program?

Of the roughly 100 Ph.D. applicants in the last admissions cycle, 5 will be entering the CSPP program. Of the 120 M.A. applicants for the same year, 35 will be entering the program.

What resources are available for students of color and other diverse students?

The Graduate School Diversity Office (GSDO) coordinates and leads Graduate School initiatives in the recruitment, funding, retention, and graduation of a diverse student body. In addition, the GSDO works closely with other University of Minnesota offices that are concerned with diversity and multiculturalism. If you are interested in learning more about the many events, fellowships, activities, and programs offered through the GSDO, please call 612-625-6858 or e-mail gsdo@umn.edu for more information.

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), to which the Educational Psychology Department belongs, is committed to recruiting, enrolling, and educating a diverse population of students who represent the overall composition of our society. The CEHD diversity programs site provides links to funding opportunities, research, and programs for culturally diverse students within CEHD.

In addition, the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED) is responsible for the University of Minnesota’s systemwide equity and diversity initiatives and programs, and for infusing the core values of equity and diversity into all aspects of teaching, learning, research, service, and outreach at the university. The OED and its various units which include Bridge to Academic Excellence; Disability Services; the Office for Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action; the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Ally Programs Office; the Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence; and the Office for University Women collaborate with the university community and oversee initiatives to increase campus diversity.

What resources are available for international students?

Prospective international students can find valuable information on the Graduate School International Student Information and Frequently Asked Questions for International Students pages. Information about English language requirements for international students who are not native speakers of English can also be found online on the Graduate School TOEFL, MELAB, IELTS page.

On campus, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) offers information and assistance to the University of Minnesota international community. The primary mission of ISSS is to assist international students and scholars in accomplishing the goals that brought them to the university.

Where can I obtain information about financial aid and graduate assistantships? Are departmental assistantships available?

All institutional financial aid packages are handled through the Office of Student Finance located in the One Stop Student Services Center. For information on financing a graduate education and about available fellowships, please visit the Graduate School’s financing Web site and the Graduate Fellowship Office’s Web site. Additional information about scholarships and awards can be found through the College of Education and Human Development. CSPP encourages you to pursue all fellowship, grant, scholarship, loan, and assistantship funding sources for which you might be eligible in order to finance your graduate education.

Graduate assistantships are an excellent way to fund your education as they include partial to complete tuition waivers depending on the number of hours worked. Assistantship postings can be found through the Office of Human Resources’ Graduate Assistant Employment site. Assistantships may also be offered directly through specific university departments. Interested students should contact departments in which they would like to work in order to locate additional assistantship opportunities. Current CSPP students hold assistantships across numerous Twin Cities campus departments. There are limited funds available for assistantships within the Department of Educational Psychology. Typically these positions are competitive and require an application.

How much does it cost to attend the program? Is there tuition reciprocity with other states?

Information about Graduate School tuition and related fees is available on the College Web site.

The University of Minnesota has reciprocity agreements with Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba. If you are a resident of any of these areas you may qualify for reciprocity tuition rates. You must apply for reciprocity prior to the term in which you plan to register, via the office in your home state or province which handles reciprocity requests. Further information about reciprocity is available via One Stop and the Admissions Office.

How can I learn more about department facilities, the University campus, and the Twin Cities area?

In October 2007, the CSPP program along with the entire Department of Educational Psychology moved into the gorgeous new Education Sciences Building. The new facilities include state of the art counseling labs as well as research spaces and faculty offices. A recent story in Connect!, the CEHD magazine, documents the transformation of this historic building.

You can also visit campus facilities online via the Graduate School virtual tour site. Information about area arts, culture, sports, recreation, education, faith communities, and more is available online via Minnesota—A great place to live and Wish you were here, two sites with great local resources for potential residents.