The IUSB Counseling and Human Services Program provides quality professional education to graduate students seeking counseling careers in education, mental health services, business, and community or government agencies. The curriculum provides theoretical courses and supervised professional experiences. Internship experiences are also offered for those seeking state licensure.

Students enrolled in the program come from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds, with the majority of students being employed full time while attending graduate school. Counseling graduates successfully serve in institutions of higher education, in area personnel departments, in administrative positions in social agencies as well as counsel in public and private counseling agencies. Graduates in school counseling are prepared to serve K-12 and have found jobs in area schools.

The program is limited to 24 students selected each year who work together over a three year period to complete the degree of Master of Science in Education, major in counseling and human services.

Requirements

• Additional items to be submitted prior to the first EDUC G500 Orientation to Counseling and Ethics class session include a written statement of personal philosophy and three letters of recommendation.
• Successful completion of EDUC G500 Orientation to Counseling and Ethics (offered in the fall of each year).
• An interview with resident faculty, generally scheduled near the end of the EDUC G500 course. Candidates must be enrolled in the EDUC G500 course (or have already completed it) and have furnished all of the above materials to qualify for an interview.
• Candidates selected for the program will make a commitment to progress through the program, and participate as members of an established reference group, for approximately three years or until graduation.

Professional Certification in School Services—Counselor (Post Master’s)

The professional certification program for school counselors provides training for those persons interested in identifying, developing, and demonstrating advanced skills in counseling and related fields.

A professional license in school counseling requires the completion of specified professional education courses beyond the master’s degree. These courses are designed to meet requirements for professional education for school counselors and the elective components of the classroom teacher and administrator specialists degree.

Professional Certification Requirements

Completion of three years experience in accredited schools as a school counselor subsequent to the issuance of the standard license, with at least half of the time spent in counseling.

Completion of 18 or more graduate credit hours in counselor education beyond the credit hours required for the standard license including at least one course from at least four of the following areas:

1. Evaluation and accountability.
2. Consultation.
3. Advanced practicum.
4. Statistics, research, computer technology.
5. Supervision of counseling programs.
6. Strategies for developing and expanding human potential.
7. Program management.
8. Family counseling.

Recommendation of the counseling and human services faculty for the professional license.