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Department of Counselor Education College of Education |
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Frequently Asked Questions
(revised 4/2008)
Below are many questions that prospective students often have. They are listed under the following sections: 1. Admissions, 2. Costs & financial aid, 3. Benefits of attending our program, 4. Program basics, 5. Accreditation, 6. Job opportunities as a counselor, 7. Licensure, 8. Scheduling, 9. Practicum and internship, 10. Community counseling, 11. Family counseling, 12. Rehabilitation counseling, and 13. School counseling, 14. Commonly used abbreviations.
1. Admissions
Admissions: Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Grade Point Average (GPA), on-line orientation session presentation, pre-admission workshop, and course prerequisites
1. What other requirements are involved in the admissions process? Other requirements involved in the admissions process include: letters of recommendation, letter of self-recommendation, employment history, previous academic history, and participation and performance at a Pre-Admission Workshop (PAW). This evidence is reviewed and assigned points based upon a CACREP approved format. The total points help to determine who is admitted into the program (see the Admissions section of the website for further information).
2. How much does the GRE score matter? The average GRE score is 500. A score less than 350 will not give any points in the admissions process, but this score will not make an applicant ineligible. However, if an applicant has a GRE score of 350 or less and a GPA under 2.75, the applicant will not be accepted into the program for academic reasons.
3. Are there any requirements for GPA? GPA requirements are as follows: an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (refer to the Academic Catalog).
4. How many times can one apply? An applicant who has been denied admission into the program can reapply only one time.
5. What is the the online Orientation Session Presentation and is it mandatory to attend the Pre-Admission Workshop? The online Orientation Session Presentation explains in detail the admissions process and the programs offered through the department. It can be found in the Admissions section of this website; completing it is the first step to applying to the program. Applicants who have read the Session and are interested in applying to the program must read and sign the accompanying Orientation Session Statement and include the Statement as part of the application materials to the Graduate College. This shows the department that the applicant has read and understands the application process. In addition, the signed Statement also shows that the applicant has made contact with a member of the department when warrented with any questions regarding the program and/or application process. Applicants must attend the Pre-Admission Workshop (PAW).
6. Can credits from another program be transferred into this program? All petitions for the transfer of credits must be submitted to the Graduate College. This is done after admission to the program. Up to 9 semester hours of course credit may be transferred from a CACREP approved program if the coursework is equivalent to that which is required in a student's program and has not been applied to a previous degree. Catalog course descriptions must accompany petitions for transfer credit, and the student's advisor must evaluate the appropriateness of all transfer courses. Petitions for the transfer of non-CACREP courses are at the discretion of the Graduate College and student's advisor. For further information, view the Graduate College section of the Academic Catalog.
1. How much are the classes at NEIU? Per credit-hour, an in-state resident would pay $200.00 in tuition and $39.80 in fees. For further information, view the Graduate College's Tuition and Fees Information web site page.
2. What opportunities are there for financial aid? Students are encouraged to apply for assistance with NEIUs Office of Financial Aid. Federal aid is available through federal loans and the federal work program, and both have qualifications, so one must apply to determine eligibility. Merit tuition waivers and graduate assistantships are administered by the Graduate College and are offered each semester through the Department of Counselor Education. (view the Graduate College website).
3. Benefits of attending the program
1. Accreditation: The community, family, and school counseling programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The rehabilitation counseling program is a candidate for accreditation by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). In addition, the family counseling program meets the educational requirements of both the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the National Academy for Certified Family Therapists. Graduates of the school counseling program are also qualified to apply for and receive the Type 73 school counselor certification after completing required testing procedures.
Because the counselor education program is accredited by CACREP and the university is a national testing site for the National Counselor Exam (NCE), a student can sit for the NCE exam during his/her last year of study. After successful completion of the NCE exam and graduation from the master's degree program in counseling, one can then apply for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license with the Division of Professional Regulation in the state of Illinois. Students graduating from the family program are automatically approved for a provisional license by the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation.
Attendance at a non-CACREP accredited program would require working two years full-time in a clinical setting after graduation, and then the NCE could be taken.
2. Affordability: NEIU offers a comprehensive program at an affordable cost. NEIU graduate students will spend $200 per credit hour. Other universities charges $40,000 and more per year for a comparable education. As a public university, affordable access to quality education is a priority for NEIU.
3. Reputation: The Department of Counselor Education has a strong reputation for training excellent professionals.
4. Program basics
1. Can more than one program sequence be chosen for an area of study? Upon application, only one program sequence can be chosen for an area of study. If unsure of a sequence of study to pursue, vocational exploration is encouraged (e.g., volunteering, job shadowing, research, and/or other communication with professionals working in the field). It is important to note that different classes and types of internships are required for each sequence. Understanding an interest will help to find a suitable internship, and eventually, a job.
2. Is a thesis required? No, although a thesis option can be arranged with the student's program advisor (e.g., planning on entering a Ph.D. program after graduation).
3. How long are the program sequences? The community, school, and rehabilitation counseling sequences are all 48 credit hours (16 courses, each course being a 3 credit hour course). However, school counseling students without teacher certification will need to complete an additional 12 credit hours at the graduate level in Education and Special Education. These courses must be completed prior to starting practicum. The family counseling program is 60 credit hours (20 courses, each course being a 3 credit hour course)
5. Accreditation
What are the benefits of attending and graduating with a degree from a CACREP accredited counseling program?
1. A primary benefit of attending a CACREP accredited counseling program is that during the last year of graduate study, a student may sit for the National Counselor Exam (NCE).
2. Upon successful completion of the NCE, the student can then apply for credentialing as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) upon graduation. Students who are not in a CACREP accredited counseling program, upon graduation, will have to complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience before applying for the NCC credential.
3. In the State of Illinois, the successful completion of the NCE also allows a student to apply for and receive the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license upon graduation. There are other states that also utilize the NCE for their LPC application.
4. The CACREP accreditation is a nationally recognized standard, and many other states may provide reciprocity for students who have gained counselor licensure in the State of Illinois with the NCE exam and appropriate supervised hours.
5. For a more detailed discussion of the benefits of CACREP accreditation, please view their Web site at http://www.cacrep.org/benefits.html.
6. Counselors & Psychologists...
What is the difference between a counselor, counseling psychologist, clinical psychologist or social worker? Increasingly, job descriptions for these three areas overlap. The most obvious differences are listed below. Information and definitions concerning these titles can be supplemented by further research (see Useful Website Links in this website).
1. Accreditation:
Different accreditation bodies are utilized for degrees in counseling,
clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and social work.
The
relevant accreditation body for a counselor is generally CACREP.
In addition,
accreditation for marriage and family therapy is governed by both (or
singularly) CACREP and the American Association for Marriage and Family
Therapy (AAMFT) Association. Accreditation for rehabilitation
counseling programs is governed by the Council on Rehabilitation
Education (CORE).
For study as a
clinical psychologist, there may be a significant benefit to choosing an
American Psychology Association (APA) accredited program. For more
information on why this is important, see the licensure section below.
As a social worker, one would best be served by attending a program
accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
2. Licensure: Most states, including Illinois, have different licensure requirements for counselors, social workers, and clinical psychologists, which impact what work will be reimbursed by insurance as well as what work is legally allowed under the relevant title. However, as a rule of thumb, graduating from a program that is accredited by one of the previously-mentioned accreditation bodies will make it significantly easier to begin supervised practice immediately upon graduation. Typically, there are a large number of hours that must be supervised before one is licensed to work independently.
3. Time: A CACREP accredited master's degree in counseling program typically takes 48 credit hours. A master's degree program in social work generally takes at least 60 credit hours. A doctoral (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) program for counseling psychology or clinical psychology averages between 80 to 100 credit hours, which often takes between four to seven years full-time to complete.
4. Training: Course work and clinical training varies for all of these programs. In-depth research regarding the understanding of this training is encouraged
5. Responsibilities:
Counselors, social
workers, and psychologists are often the providers of support, guidance
and counseling/therapy for people who are experiencing a myriad of
issues.
For
counseling, there are several primary specialties: school, vocational,
rehabilitation, mental health, substance abuse, and marriage and family.
Doctoral research
programs of psychologists (especially clinical) often have more
scientific and statistical emphasis; therefore, a psychologist may be
more likely to engage in diagnostics and assessments.
Licensed Clinical
Social Workers may provide counseling for their clients; however, they
are more likely than counselors to provide social services, such as
working for disadvantaged persons to procure necessary social services
(e.g. subsidies for housing, Medicaid enrollment, etc.).
Additionally, in
order to pursue research or university teaching in any of the above
fields, a doctoral degree will be necessary. It may be useful to view
job listings for more specifics on job descriptions.
6. Pay: Pay differs substantially for subspecialties within each occupation, and by geographic area in the US (see the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/oco).
7. Licensure
1. Can one become a LPC and then a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) through this program? Yes. Students can take the NCE during their last year of schooling. If a passing score is attained, and after graduating from a CACREP accredited counseling program, one can apply for an LPC through the State of Illinois' Division of Professional Regulation (other states may have different licensure processes). After two years of full-time supervised work (or 3,000 hours) as an LPC, one may then apply to become an LCPC and practice independently.
2. Are there other licensures and/or certifications to be aware of? Yes. Graduates of NEIUs M.A. in Family Counseling are automatically eligible for the provisional Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) license upon graduation, After post degree clinical work, one can sit for the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) exam.
3. Can a student become both LMFT and LPC through training at NEIUs counselor education program? Yes, but the student would need to either pursue the Masters in Family Counseling degree and appropriate supervised training, or take the additional courses and clinical classes in order to do this.
4. Why would a graduate want to get an LPC and then LCPC? One of the primary benefits is that one can claim third party reimbursement with an LPC, LCPC or LMFT.
8. Scheduling
1. Can classes be attended on either a full-time or part-time basis? Yes, but keep in mind that the Graduate College and the program require that a student must complete the program within six years of taking the first course. Courses over six years old may not be counted towards graduation.
2. What course load is considered full-time? As a graduate student, nine semester hours during the fall and spring term is considered full-time, while six semester hours is considered full-time during summer term. Half-time status is four to eight credits during fall or spring term and three to five during summer term. Part-time status is less than four credits during fall and spring term and less than three during summer term (also view Academic Regulations in the Academic Catalog: http://www.neiu.edu/~acad/links.htm).
3. Are all of the classes at night? During the fall and spring term, most classes are offered at night, from either 4:15 to 6:55 pm or 7:05 to 9:45 pm. Saturday classes are occasionally offered. During the summer term, classes are offered twice a week in the 6 week sessions (4:00-7:25 pm or 6:00-9:45 pm) or once a week in the 12 week session (4-7:25 pm or 6-9:45 pm). Friday evening and Saturday morning classes are occasionally offered.
For further information, view the Practicum and Internship Handbook, which is available in the Department Forms section of this website.
1. Can a student work at a full or part-time position while doing practicum/internship? Yes. As long as the practicum/internship hour requirements are met, students can continue with job responsibilities: 100 hours for the practicum and 600 hours for the internship, which totals to 700 hours during the clinical experience year, or about 12 to 16 hours per week. The student may need to negotiate hours and responsibilities with his/her current employer.
2. Do students need to secure their own internship? Yes, but the department provides a provisional list of sites that are looking for interns and/or have taken interns from the program in the past. Internships are highly competitive between counselors, social workers and psychologists. The department advises students to start inquiring about and investigating internship positions soon after achieving candidacy.
3. Can a student continue to be employed at the school where he/she is completing internship? The student may be able to negotiate this arrangement, but must discuss this with his/her employer and Clinical Experiences Coordinator.
4. Can the internship be completed in the evening hours? It is possible, but be sure to research the actual opportunity. Internship hours will need to be negotiated with the on-site supervisor and Clinical Experiences Coordinator. Many internship possibilities do not have evening hours or if they do, it would not allow enough client contact.
5. Is there a class associated with the practicum and internship? Yes. There is a 3 credit hour practicum course that meets every week during the fall term. Internship I is a 3 credit hour course that meets every other week in the spring term. And finally, Internship II is a 3 credit hour course that meets every other week in the summer term. Internship students meet as a class and also meet separately with the practicum/internship faculty member.
6. Are paid internships available? Yes, paid internships may be available in some instances, though it is routine for internships to be unpaid.
10. Community Counseling
1. Can I earn my LMFT through the Community Counseling sequence? Yes, if you take the required classes and clinical experiences, you can.
2. What certification could I then earn through this sequence? Students in the Community Counseling sequence are eligible to become NCC, LPC, and LCPC.
11. Family Counseling
1. As an LMFT, would I only counsel families and couples? While this would be your specialty, you are also required by the licensing commission and our program to have 150 direct hours of individual client contact and 150 direct hours of family or couple client contact.
2. What kinds of client problems would I come across as a LMFT? Relationship and family issues will certainly be faced. In addition, research has shown that clients who have substance abuse, eating, or depressive disorders, as well as schizophrenia benefit from individual counseling alongside family counseling.
12. Rehabilitation Counseling
1. What do rehabilitation counselors do? The following excerpt is taken from the Master of Arts in Counseling: Rehabilitation Counseling pamphlet:
"Rehabilitation Counselors give guidance to people with disabilities resulting from birth defects, illness or disease, accidents, or the stress of daily life. From a holistic perspective they help some people deal with the personal, social and vocational effects of disabilities. They deal with the "whole person" and work with each client to develop an individualized rehabilitation plan that may include training to increase the individual's capacity to live independently and in many cases help to develop job skills, obtain jobs, and be included in the community."
2. What certification would I earn through the Rehabilitation Counseling sequence? Upon graduation from the program, you would be eligible to sit for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) examination, and in the State of Illinois, you would also be eligible to become an LPC after you have gained suitable supervised work experience.
13. School Counseling
1. Do school counselors also have to be certified teachers? No. The state of Illinois recently passed legislation that allows students to become school counselors without having a teaching certification. However, if you do not have a teaching certificate, you will have to take four education courses prior to practicum: ELAD-EDFN 405, 406, 407, and SPED 404 Information is posted on the School Counseling pages of the department's Web site.
2. I already have a Masters in education, so can I just take my Type 73 test through Northeastern without taking any courses? No. However, if you already have a Masters in Counseling (community, family, or rehabilitation)from NEIU, then you may be able to take the Type 73 through the department. Contact the department for further details.
3. As a school counselor, can I work at all levels of elementary and secondary? Yes.
4. As a school counselor in training, can I continue to be employed at my school and do my old job? Please see the "Practicum and Internship" section for the answer to this question.
14. Commonly used abbreviations
- AMFT: Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
- CACREP: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
- CORE: Council on Rehabilitation Education
- CRC: Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
- GPA: Grade point average
- GRE: Graduate Record Examination
- International Association for Couple and Family Counseling
- LPC: Licensed Professional Counselor
- LCPC: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
- LMFT: Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
- NCC: National Board for Certified Counselors
- NCE: National Counselor Examination
- NEIU: Northeastern Illinois State University
- PAW: Pre-Admissions Workshop
Department of Counselor Education
Northeastern Illinois University
5550 N. St. Louis Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
Email:
counsedu@neiu.edu ~ Telephone: 773-442-5550 ~ Fax:773-442-5559