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Admission Requirements

This section provides information about application requirements and procedures to apply to the M.A. in Counseling program (community, family, school, or rehabilitation).

It is also strongly recommended that interested parties attend a department  Information Session to learn about the scope of the program, including application procedures and deadline dates. Contact the department at 773-442-5557 or 5550 for information. 

Application Deadline.  The deadline to submit application materials to Graduate Enrollment Services for consideration to the following terms:

for Spring 2013 the date is August 15, 2012
for Fall 2013 the date is March 15, 2013

Please note that these deadline dates may differ from other deadline dates at NEIU.

Application Materials.  All application materials to apply to Counselor Education are found in the Department Forms section of this website. 

Admission to the Program.  New students are admitted to the Counselor Education program twice a year with the Fall and Spring semesters.  The application process should be initiated about six months in advance.  The deadline date for the Fall term is March 15.  The deadline date for the Spring term is August 15.

Application Procedures. 
Application materials are to be submitted to:

Graduate Enrollment Services
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 N. St. Louis Ave., room D-101-D
Chicago, Illinois  60625

To officially apply to the program, the applicant must provide Graduate Enrollment Services with the following documents:

• Application checklist

• Graduate Admissions Application

• $30 application fee (check or money order)

• Counselor Education Application

• Letter of self-recommendation described on page 2 of the Counselor Education Application

• Mark the date you will attend the Preadmission Workshop (PAW) on page 2 of the Counselor Education Application.  Attending the PAW is  mandatory as part of the application process.  An applicant who fails to attend the PAW will have their application deferred to the next application deadline.

• Two letters of recommendation (on forms provided by the department)

• Statement of employment history (resume)

• Application Statement

• Official transcripts in sealed envelopes from all colleges and universities attended

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.  Information regarding the GRE may be obtained 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.

• Copy of current teacher certification and Basic Skills Test (BST) or Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) scores (required for School Counseling applicants who hold teacher certification)

• copy of Basic Skills or Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) scores and evidence of taking and passing the fingerprint background check (required for School Counseling applicants who do not hold teacher certification)

 Curriculum. Each title listed below describes 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

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

• Community, Family, or Rehabilitation Counseling:  Two undergraduate courses in psychology, including one course in abnormal psychology, OR complete these prerequisites prior to practicum, if admitted to the program. 
   

• School Counseling:  Teacher certification meets the prerequisite. 
   

• School Counseling applicants who do not hold teacher certification:  completion of the following courses (can be taken as student-at-large or prior to practicum, if admitted):

  • ELAD-EDFN 405 Development of Educational Thought

  • ELAD-EDFN 406 Human Development & Learning

  • ELAD-EDFN 407 Learning Theories and Educat Practice

  • SPED 404-Overview of the Field of Special Education

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