Degree Information
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The Specialist in Education degree in Counseling and Psychology, with a concentration in School Counseling, allows graduates to professionally help children and students at the elementary and secondary level. The counseling and consultation skills gained allow you to assist diverse individuals and groups deal with a wide range of personal, social, and academic issues, including choice-making. Nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Licensure as a school counselor requires an additional step after earning a master's degree. It is possible to earn this degree and not be eligible for licensure. Licensure as a school counselor is a standards-based process. The standards are mandated by the Tennessee State Board of Education. These requirements may be fulfilled in our program by taking the appropriate courses, transferring courses, or life experiences/independent study. Licensure also requires successful completion of the guidance section of the Praxis examination.
School counselor candidates who do not have teaching experience are required to participate in a semester-long orientation experience, in a school setting. A verification form indicates that a student meets the standards mandated by the Tennessee State Board of Education.
Admissions Requirements
Students seeking admission to the Counseling and Psychology Specialist in Education program should have had previous experience appropriate to the proposed area of specialization, and are required to have:
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- Degree: a Master’s degree from an accredited institution
- GPA: at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Enough graduate training in psychology to do advanced graduate work in the chosen concentration
- Letters of Recommendation: Three acceptable letters of recommendation for graduate study from faculty members or other persons who have adequate knowledge of the applicant’s professional qualities or potential for success as a graduate student.
- Interviews: Successful interview with the faculty review committee with a focus on dispositional congruence, personal intent, and professional aspirations.
- GRE: While not required, an applicant may submit GRE General Test (GRE) scores for consideration to address their aptitude for graduate level academic work.
Satisfying minimal standards, however, does not guarantee your admission. Admission decisions are based on departmental review, using a combination of holistic factors, including an interview, letters of recommendation, academic history, and related work experience.
International students are required to demonstrate competency in spoken and written English by taking appropriate standardized tests. See accepted standardized tests and minimum required scores »
- » Provisional Admission
Students may be admitted with provisional status if they do not meet all of the criteria above but do meet the minimum requirements of the graduate school and are approved for provisional status by the departmental admissions committee. Provisional status will limit students to a maximum of nine hours before the departmental admissions committee makes a recommendation for full admission. To advance from provisional to full admission a student must earn a 3.0 GPA on the nine semester hours of graduate study in the concentration and be approved by the departmental admissions committee.
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