Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

School Counseling [M.A.]


Revised Program [Fall 2021]


The School Counseling Program is a 60 semester-hour master’s degree program for teacher-certified individuals and individuals not possessing a valid Michigan teaching certificate. The program provides competencies and proficiencies for entry-level positions as school counselors in elementary, middle/junior high, secondary, and high school settings. Upon completion of the graduate program of study, teacher-certified students are eligible to apply for the school counselor endorsement on their valid Michigan teaching certificates and students without a valid Michigan teaching certificate are eligible to apply for K-12 school counselor licensure issued by the Michigan Department of Education. Candidates selected for this program are expected to make a major commitment to their graduate training and to enroll in coursework on a regular basis. The program includes a 600 clock-hour supervised counseling internship experience. 

This program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body that evaluates and grants accreditation to graduate-level programs in professional counseling.  The program meets the academic and internship requirements for limited licensure as a professional counselor (LLPC) in the State of Michigan. Information on full licensure as a professional counselor is available in the Student Handbook for Counseling Programs.

Program Admission


Graduate School Application

After reviewing the admission requirements below, please select the appropriate application. The University is transitioning application platforms; pay close attention when selecting the application below.

The program you are applying to may not accept applicants every semester.

For additional information regarding the application process, please see Graduate Admissions or International Admissions.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

A four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution. In addition, a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program, is required for full admission. Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission. See International Admissions for international applicant requirements.

Applicants must also meet the following program requirements:

  • Evidence of academic aptitude for graduate-level study that includes at least one of the following:
    • A 2.75 overall undergraduate GPA, or a 3.0 GPA in the second half of the undergraduate degree program.
    • A graduate GPA of 3.3 on a previously completed advanced degree.
    • GRE scores may be submitted as evidence of academic aptitude; scores may not be more than five years old. The student must score at the 50th percentile or above to be accepted. The applicant must meet the 2.7 minimum GPA required for graduate school admission.
    • Applicants not meeting other criteria but having acquired knowledge of the counseling field based on five years of related experience may be eligible. Students applying under this provision must contact the coordinator of advising for specific procedures before applying to the Graduate School.
  • Students without a valid Michigan teaching certificate may also be required to meet the following additional criteria:
    • Experience: Three to five years of documented work experience, most of which involves working with school‐aged (K‐12) children or adolescents. This experience may consist of paid, professional roles or structured volunteer experiences in organized work settings. Activities such as parenting, babysitting, and daycare do not qualify.
    • Previous Coursework: Nine semester hours of undergraduate social science coursework, including coursework specific to foundations of education. If this coursework has not been completed before admission to the COUN program, students must complete it within the first 12 hours of the COUN program.
  • Personal Statement A statement focusing on the applicant’s motivation and rationale for seeking admission to the specific counseling program and their background and goals related to professional studies.
  • Résumé A focused summary of program-relevant educational, career, and/or life experiences. The resume should also document all paid or unpaid work experience with school-aged youth.
  • Three Recommendations Request recommendation forms from three professional supervisors and/or supervising professors that address the applicant’s professional work quality. Applicants may request recommendation letters in addition to completing the recommendation form. Applicants are encouraged to ask recommenders to submit a recommendation letter if this could enhance their application materials. Recommendation forms and letters must come directly from your reference.

Admission to the program is selective. The selection process is designed to assess the candidate’s suitability for graduate study and a professional career counseling career. Candidates selected are expected to make major commitments to their graduate training.

Each applicant will receive a rating on the following criteria: academic potential; the quality, and extensiveness, and relevance of career/life/educational experiences relevant to the field of school counseling; professional goals/objectives; and recommendations. Based on these ratings, applicants may move to the second phase of the process.

Applicants admitted to the second phase of the admission process will be invited to campus to participate in a personal interview. They will also receive information about programs of study, faculty expectations, and related topics such as professional counselor licensure. Applicants may be asked to submit additional materials at this time. Based on an evaluation of all materials and the interviews, admissions decisions will be made.

The admissions appeal procedure provides each applicant with the opportunity to appeal the admissions decision formally. Appeals must be based on an applicant’s perception that his/her due process rights were violated during the admissions process. The procedure is not intended for applicants who do not meet minimum standards for admission as outlined above. An appeal must begin within five working days of the start of the semester following the admissions decision. Applicants wishing to appeal must contact the Coordinator of Advising to obtain written information regarding the appeal procedure.

Program advisors will be assigned after students have been admitted to the School Counseling Program. The advisor will assist the student in developing the program of graduate study that is required for full admission to the school counseling program. Students must meet with their advisor to develop a formal program of study before completing 12 credits towards their degree. The advisor must approve all courses and subsequent changes. Transfer credit can be used toward graduation only if it has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor and is within Graduate School guidelines. The master’s degree program must be completed within a six-year period.

Completed applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Department Information


Leadership & Counseling | Dr. Devika Dibya Choudhuri​, Ph.D., Interim Department Head | 304 Porter, 734.487.0255, dchoudhur@emich.edu

Advisor Information


Patrice Bounds, Ph.D., Associate Professor, 304M Porter, 734.487.2804, pbounds@emich.edu

Degree Requirements: 60 hours


The following outline describes the general program requirements for the 60 hour school counseling program.

School Counseling Specialization Area: 12-14 hours


COUN 689  is waived for students who hold a valid Michigan teacher certification. If waived, the student must complete an additional two credit hours of restricted electives.

A student without teacher certification is required to complete all of the following courses.

Cognate Course: 0-3 hours


This requirement may be waived for students with prior Special Education experience. Students must see their advisor for details. If approved for a waiver, the student is required to complete an additional three credit hours of restricted electives.

Supervised Counseling Experiences: 8 hours


Satisfy this requirement by completing a minimum of eight credit hours from the following.

Restricted Elective Courses: 2-7 hours


In consultation with their advisor, students will select elective courses to enhance their professional growth and fulfill the 60 credit hour plan of study. Courses may be selected from this list or from other counseling-related courses that meet this objective.​

Exam Requirement:


After the elective courses:

To be eligible for graduation with a master’s degree in counseling, the student must successfully complete the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). To be eligible for a school counseling credential from the Michigan Department of Education, the candidate must also pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Test 51: School Counselor.

Additional Information


For more information about the program, admissions, etc., contact the department head.