The M.S.Ed. degree is intended to provide students with entry-level skills to work as counselors in schools, in community or private sector agencies, or at higher education institutions. Components of this 48-semester-hour program include 27 hours in the core curriculum, 9 hours in a chosen area of study (community agency, higher education, or school counseling), and 12 semester hours in supervised practicum and internship (600 clock hours).
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has awarded accreditation to both the Ed.D. program in counselor education and supervision and to the M.S.Ed. program in all three areas of professional preparation. CACREP-accreditation is an important credential that attests to how NIU's counseling programs are fulfilling their commitment to educational quality. Applicants are urged to log onto www.counseling.org/cacrep/student.htm in order to learn more about CACREP's history and mission.
The programs in counseling at NIU are approved by the State Department of Public Instruction to certify school counselors in Illinois.
Students should become familiar with the Conceptual Framework, the central philosophical and operational principle of the certification programs at NIU. The Framework's three basic tenets include knowledge, practice, and reflection as the building blocks of the exemplary educator.
The purpose of the Conceptual Framework is threefold:
- It expresses the shared vision on the NIU community of learners
- It provides common goals for the certification programs
- It provides coherence among
- Curriculum
- Instruction
- Field education experiences
- Clinical practice
- Assessment
- The commitments and dispositions of an exemplary educator include:
- Collaboration: A partnership, using the strength of our diversity
- Diversity: We are all unique individuals and can learn from each other in a caring community
- Caring: To encourage and develop those who can and those who won't so that they will continue the learning process
- Life-Long Learner: Exploring the educational opportunities available and modeling the pursuit of knowledge to our students and community
- Scholarship: Seeking knowledge to become more than competent teachers, pursuing excellence in educational studies
- Creative Critical Thinking: To think outside the box and yet know the boundaries of our discussions
The student is encouraged to click on the link to the Conceptual Framework to access a document that fully describes how the Framework informs the community of learners within the College.
The Admissions webpage includes the specific application procedures for the M.S.Ed. in Counseling Program. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all application materials are submitted by the deadline (including test scores and recommendation letters).