Counseling Programs

The Masters of Arts in Counseling program is designed to prepare professional counselors to work in a variety of settings. Students learn to counsel individuals and groups concerning social, educational, psychological, career, and life planning domains.

Cohort Program in Counseling

The School of Education will begin offering a Cohort Program in Counseling (School and Community) at the Orland Park Campus beginning Fall 2007.

Tracks

School Counseling

The School Counseling Program is designed to prepare counselors to work with diverse student populations in a variety of school settings. School counselors address the academic, career, and social needs of students; assist students in recognizing their academic potential; provide students with career advisement; and serve as advocates, consultants, and leaders within their educational community. Completion of this program leads to the Illinois Type 73, School Counseling Certification.

Core Requirements

EDUGC 500 Research Methods for the Social Sciences (3)
or
EDUG 513 Educational Research Design and Development (3)
EDUGC 502 Life Span Development (3)
EDUGC 507 Orientation to Counseling: Professional, Legal, & Ethical Considerations (3)
EDUGC 508 Multicultural Counseling (3)
EDUGC 521 Theories & Techniques of Counseling I (3)
EDUGC 522 Theories & Techniques of Counseling II (3)
EDUGC 523 Standardized Assessment (3)
EDUGC 527 Life Style & Career Development (3)
EDUGC 535 Group Counseling (3)
Credit Hours:
 27

Track Requirements

EDUGC 532 School Counseling and Organization     (3)
EDUGC 533 Individual Counseling for Children (3)
EDUGC 534 Counseling and Consulting in the Schools      (3)
EDUGC 541 Practicum in School Counseling (3)
EDUGC 546 Internship in School Counseling (3)
Credit Hours:
 15
Electives*
 6

*Electives - To be determined in consultation with academic advisor and in accordance with Type 73 Certificate leveling requirements. EDUGC 511, Substance Abuse Counseling, and EDUGC 539, Family Counseling, are highly recommended as elective courses.

Total Semester Hours: 48

Community Counseling

The Community Counseling Program is designed to prepare professional counselors to work with diverse clients in a variety of employment settings, including mental health clinics, social service agencies, corporations, community crisis and intervention programs, community colleges and universities, hospitals, correctional institutions, and residential facilities. Students will receive training in counseling skills and techniques, as well as diagnosis and evaluative services, to work with individuals and groups who may be experiencing psychological difficulties, seeking career guidance, or coping with an array of life challenges and/or transitions.

Core Requirements

EDUGC 500 Research Methods for Social Sciences (3)
EDUGC 502 Life Span Development (3)
EDUGC 507 Introduction to Counseling: Professional, Legal, & Ethical Considerations (3)
EDUGC 508 Multicultural Counseling (3)
EDUGC 521 Theories & Techniques of Counseling I (3)
EDUGC 522 Theories & Techniques of Counseling II (3)
EDUGC 523 Standardized Assessment (3)
EDUGC 527 Life Style and Career Development (3)
EDUGC 535 Group Counseling (3)
Credit Hours:
 27

Track Requirements

EDUGC 501 Community Agency Counseling (2)
EDUGC 511 Substance Abuse Counseling (3)
EDUGC 530 Diagnosis and Treatment Planning (3)
EDUGC 531 Individual Counseling for Adults
or
EDUGC 533 Individual Counseling for Child/Adolescent     (3)
EDUGC 539 Family Counseling (3)
EDUGC 540 Practicum in Community Counseling (3)
EDUGC 545 Internship in Community Counseling (3)
EDUGC Elective (1)
Credit Hours:
 21

Total Credit Hours: 48

Field Experiences

Students are required to complete a practicum (100 hours in an approved field placement). An intensive 600 hour internship is required of the student for program completion. Practicum and internship sites must be approved by the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences. Supervision is provided at practicum and internship sites and through qualified on-campus supervisors.

Graduation Requirements

All coursework must be completed within five years of admission. A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 must be maintained; a grade of D is not acceptable toward satisfying degree or certification requirements.

Transfer Policy

A maximum of 6 semester hours of graduate credit completed in another university prior to admission to Saint Xavier University may be submitted for evaluation. If approved, these credits may be applied to the Counseling program.