Counselor Education:
General Information
The Counselor Education Program, founded in 1946, offers graduate programs of study at the masters and doctoral levels. At the masters level, there are three concentration areas: school counseling, college counseling, and community agency counseling. The doctorate, a combined focus on research, theory and practice, is designed to prepare leaders for the field of counseling and counselor education.
In addition to the traditional core of individual and group counseling, a major departmental focus is on developmental theory and the design and implementation of preventive interventions based on this theory. In the design of the curriculum and throughout each course, the students' competence in theory and practice are equally valued. Students participate in individualized field experiences appropriate to their area of study in settings on and away from campus.
Another major focus is the commitment to multicultural and gender diversity, which is reflected in the required courses and in the faculty-student community. In light of this we are particularly interested in attracting students from diverse backgrounds. In recent years the number of students of color and from diverse backgrounds has increased significantly. Our curriculum content acknowledges the significance of diversity perspectives in counseling theory, research, and practice.
Application Deadlines and Admissions Requirements
New masters and doctoral students are only admitted once each calendar year and the deadline for applications is January 15 except for those who apply for the College Counseling concentration and for assistantships in University Housing to be Resident Directors (RDs). The deadline for the applicants in the College Counseling concentration and RDs is March 15. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure that the application is complete.
Selection for admission is based on a number of criteria:
1. Academic achievement especially in the junior and senior undergraduate years as well as performance in any graduate courses are carefully evaluated for evidence of competence in intellectual inquiry,
2. Performance ratings and recommendations from professors and supervisory personnel are also carefully examined for evidence of personal qualities requisite for professional competence,
3. Demonstrated leadership activity and/or significant work experience represent additional important factors,
4. Interview process - all doctoral candidates are expected to be interviewed, barring significant geographical distances,
5. Other additional materials are also welcome to supplement the application - such as a research paper, a video tape of some "helping" activity by the candidate, etc,
6. Standardized tests - either the Graduate Record Examination [Verbal & Quantitative] or the Miller Analogies Test [MAT] is required.
Many prospective students have similar questions and so we have compiled a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions and their answers in order to be of more assistance to you.
- Accreditation
- The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational
- Programs [CACREP], a specialized accrediting body recognized by
- the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation [COPA], has conferred
- accreditation on all of the program areas in the Department of
- Counselor Education at North Carolina State University. The
- National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education [NCATE]
- has conferred accreditation on the elementary and secondary programs in
- school counseling [M.ED., M.S., and Ph.D.].
last updated 1/10/08
