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Admissions Orientation Session

Instructions: To begin the admissions process and apply to the Counselor Education Program, please read this entire Orientation Session.  The Orientation provides necessary information regarding application procedures, the application process, and links to questions you may have about the program sequences. 

To show your understanding of the content of the Orientation, you are directed to read, sign, and include the Orientation Session Statement with your application documents to the Graduate College by the deadline date for the term you are applying.  The Statement MUST be received by the Graduate College in order to document your participation in the on-line Orientation.

Application Deadline Date.  The deadline date to submit application materials to the Graduate College for consideration to the Fall 2009 term is March 6, 2009.


Application Forms.  All application materials necessary to apply to the Department of Counselor Education can be found in the Application Forms table of the Department Forms section of this website. 

Pre-Admission Workshop.  Applicants who have submitted their complete application packets to the Graduate College by the deadline date for the term applicable will be invited to the Pre-Admission Workshop, the second phase of the application process. 

Admission to the Program.  New students are admitted to the Counselor Education Program twice a year with the Fall and Spring semesters.  The applicant should initiate the application process about six months in advance.   The deadline date for Fall and Spring admissions occurs in March and August respectively.
 

Application Procedures.  Each applicant is required to read and understand this Orientation Session Presentation prior to formally applying to the program.  The purpose of the Orientation is to serve as a guide for prospective students to describe the program sequences and components, identify admission requirements and documents, introduce faculty areas of expertise, announce deadline dates, discuss career options and available resources, and answer questions. This Orientation  is provided as a service to prospective applicants.  Reviewing and understanding this Orientation is necessary before one can officially apply to the program.   

In addition, after reviewing the Orientation Session, each applicant is required to complete the following process to continue application to the program:

1. Read, sign and include the Orientation Session Statement with your application packet to the Graduate College.   The Statement MUST be received by the Graduate College in order to document your participation in the on-line Orientation. The Statement is provided to the department as confirmation that the applicant has reviewed this presentation, communicated any questions with a faculty advisor, and understands the content of the presentation.
    

2. Complete the following application documents and submit in full to the Graduate College:

• Graduate College Application.

• Counselor Education Application.

• Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended.

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.  General information regarding the GRE may be obtained at the orientation or by referring to the GRE website at ets.org.  Only official copies of GRE results will be accepted.  The Educational Testing Service (ETS) does not report scores that are more than 5 years old.  Note: The school code for Northeastern Illinois University is #1090 and the educational code for student counseling is #3802. Note:  Significant extra time is required for special accommodations for the GRE exam, such as a disability.  Instructions for requesting accommodation are on the GRE website.

• Statement of Employment History.  Applicants to the program are not required to have work experience related to the field of counseling.  One of the strengths of this program is the diversity of occupational backgrounds of our adult students. 

• Two Letters of Recommendation from employers, faculty, or supervisor submitted on forms supplied by Counselor Education and returned unopened in the envelopes provided. 

• One Letter of Self-Recommendation consisting of 1 to 2 typed pages following this format:


1) Describe the reasons for your interest in counseling
2) Describe your life experiences and personal qualities that make you believe that graduate study is appropriate for you.
3) Describe your personal hopes and concerns as you anticipate becoming a graduate student and counselor.

Note:  For persons applying to the Rehabilitation Counseling sequence, the self-recommendation letter must address experiences with, awareness of, and goals for persons with disabilities:
 

• Describe the reasons for your interest in counseling.

• Describe your life experiences and personal qualities that make you believe that graduate study is appropriate for you.

• Describe your personal hopes and concerns as you anticipate becoming a graduate student and a counselor.

3. Attend a Pre-Admission Workshop (PAW).  The Graduate College will forward the applicant's files to the Department of Counselor Education for review approximately two weeks after the application deadline date.  Applicants with completed files (including the submission of the Statement) will be invited to the PAW, the second phase of the application process.  The PAW provides the faculty with an opportunity to assess the interpersonal skills of each applicant as demonstrated in structured group activities.  Applicants who fail to complete all application procedures by the deadline date will have their applications deferred until the next PAW.

Starting the Application Process

• Begin a personal file on your admissions process that duplicates all documents and communications with the Counselor Education Department and the Graduate College.

• Review the Counselor Education website in its entirety for information on each of the counseling sequences and other important information.

• Review the Graduate College website at www.neiu.edu/~gradcoll.

• Review the Counselor Education Student Handbook.

• View NEIUs Blackboard at http://neiu.blackboard.com/ to preview department courses, syllabi, course lecture notes, and other curriculum information.  Username: Counselor.  Password: Guest. 

Definition of Terms 
Student-At-Large.  A student who is registered for a course without being accepted into a degree program.  It is possible for applicants to register as a student-at-large while preparing their application.  Prospective students who are planning to apply to community, school, or family counseling are limited to registering for only COUN 401 The Counseling Profession prior to admission to the program.  For rehabilitation counseling students, the course is COUN 433 Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling.  However, taking a course as a student-at-large does not guarantee admission to the program.  All requirements for application and selection must still be met.  If an applicant has taken a course as a student-at-large and then is admitted to the program, that course will be counted toward degree requirements. Contact the Enrollment Services Office for student-at-large application information.

Admission.  The determination set by the Graduate College and the Department of Counselor Education that the applicant has met the requirements, dispositions, and standards to proceed and enroll in courses in the program.

Matriculation.  Admission and registration of coursework that will count toward the program degree.

International Student.  A student from another country who carries a valid F or J visa.  For any questions regarding graduate international admissions or application status, including transcript evaluations and processing of I-20 forms, call the Graduate College at 773-442-6006.  Additional international student information can be found by contacting the International Student Services office at 773-442-4796 or by reviewing their website.

Financial Aid.  Money available to college and university students through government loans, grants, public or private scholarships.  Financial aid is available through a variety of sources including, but not limited to, graduate assistant positions and graduate merit tuition waivers.  Link to the University's Financial Aid Office for additional information.  For rehabilitation counseling, scholarships are available through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (see the Rehabilitation  Counseling link on this website for more information on rehab grant monies).

Curriculum.  Click on each sequence title listed below to view the respective program requirements, including an explanation of core, elective, and clinical courses, and licensure and certification requirements:

• Community Counseling

• School Counseling

• Family Counseling

• Rehabilitation Counseling

In addition, review the Clinical Experiences section of this website to review the clinical courses for each counseling sequence:

• Clinical Experiences

Prerequisites.  It is important to note the following prerequisites and requirements with respect to each Counselor Education sequence:

• Community Counseling:  Applicants must provide evidence (i.e., transcript) of completing two undergraduate psychology courses--including one course in abnormal psychology or its equivalent--prior to filing for candidacy.
   

• School Counseling:  Applicants who currently hold teacher certification must provide a copy of their current Illinois Standard or Provisional Teaching Certificate with their application.  Also, all applicants who are certified teachers applying to the School sequence must provide evidence (i.e., transcript) of completing two undergraduate psychology courses in educational psychology and psychology of exceptional children prior to filing for candidacy.  These undergraduate course prerequisites apply only to certified teachers.
   

• NOTE: Applicants applying to the School sequence who do not hold a current, valid standard or provisional teaching certificate must satisfy the following additional requirements prior to admission (see 1a and 1b below) and prior to practicum (see 1c below):

  1a.	Take and pass the Basic Skills Test.  These scores must be included in your application. If the scores are not included, your application will be deferred until the next application deadline date. Basic Skills Test information is located in the Department Forms section of this website.
  1b.	Take and pass a background check.  Results of the background must be received by the application deadline date. If the results are not received, your application will be deferred until the next application deadline date. Background check information is located in the Department Forms section of this website.
  1c.	Complete the following courses prior to practicum: ELAD-EDFN 405 Development of Educational Thought ELAD-EDFN 406 Human Dev & Learning ELAD-EDFN 407 Learning Theories and Educational Practice SPED 404 Over of the Field of Special  Education

  Applicants to the school sequence who do not hold a current, valid standard or provisional Illinois teaching certificate can take the ELAD-EDFN courses as a student-at-large as they prepare their application for submission.  However, taking these courses does not guarantee admission to the program.
   

• Rehabilitation Counseling:  Applicants must provide evidence (i.e., transcript) of completing two undergraduate psychology courses--including one course in abnormal psychology or its equivalent--prior to filing for candidacy. 
   

• Family Counseling:  Applicants must provide evidence (i.e., transcript) of completing two undergraduate psychology courses--including one course in abnormal psychology or its equivalent--prior to filing for candidacy.

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