Offered in: Chicago

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Counseling and Human Services program is designed for students who aspire to transform schools and communities in the pursuit of social justice through individualized attention to the needs of children, adolescents, and adults. An undergraduate academic major in counseling is not required. Students may choose from degree programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.

The Master's in School Counseling (SC) is accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and prepares school counselor candidates to support and advocate on behalf of the learning and social-emotional needs of children and adolescents in K-12 schools. The intensive, field-based MA in school counseling curriculum prepares every candidate to work democratically with diverse students and families. The program leads to an Illinois school counselor credential with an option to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the state of Illinois. Students may enter the program with or without a teaching certificate. 

Admission

Students are admitted only for the fall term at the Chicago campus. For priority consideration, the deadline to apply is March 1. For regular consideration, the deadline is rolling until two weeks before the start of the Fall semester. Applications for all scholarships and assistantships are also due by the priority deadline of March 1.

Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the entirety of their undergraduate course work, a minimum of 120 credit hours of credit at the undergraduate level, a personal statement outlining goals and aspirations, and two letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate academic or work abilities. Applicants for the program in School Counseling must submit evidence of a passing score on the ACT or SAT score that meets the state's criterion. Professional dispositions also must be demonstrated. Interviews are by invitation only and are required before admission.

Decisions will be based on prior academic performance, current academic performance, the personal statement, letters of recommendation, and an evaluation of professional skills and dispositions.

Requirements

To be awarded the MA in School Counseling, students must successfully complete 52-61 credit hours of study. To qualify for Roosevelt University's recommendation for the Professional Educators License with a School Counseling endorsement, all state and program requirements in effect at the time of application must be met, including all clinical experience requirements and passing scores on the ILTS School Counselor Test (235), the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) and the National Counselor Examination (NCE) if applicable . All graduate students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their graduate courses, and no grade below C is acceptable for certification or the MA degree. Only two grades of C are allowed toward the MA degree.

At the time of admission, faculty advisors review transcripts and evaluate all course work completed at other colleges or universities. Advising plans are developed, and any needs, deficiencies, or electives are noted. Each student must confer with their assigned advisor before enrolling in the program and during each advising period to ensure that all requirements are being successfully completed.