All students must meet the Requirements for the Master's Degree
Overview
There are 2 tracks of study in the Graduate Counseling Program: the school counseling program (60 credits) and the clinical mental health program (60 credits). Students may elect to enroll in both programs - the Dual Option, which is 69 credits. The Graduate Counseling Program (including all specialty programs) is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The school counseling program meets the requirements set by the State of Vermont Department of Education for preparing school counselors (K-12) for licensure in Vermont, and the clinical mental health counseling program meets the academic requirements set by the Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health Practitioners for preparing clinical mental health counselors for licensure in Vermont.
Specific Requirements
Minimum Degree Requirements
The Graduate Counseling Program offers 2 specialty programs: school counseling and clinical mental health counseling. Students may also select the Dual Option which includes preparation in both specialty programs. 60 credits are required for completion of the school counseling program, 60 credits are required for the clinical mental health counseling program, and 69 credits are required for the Dual Option. Successful completion of the program is based on the demonstration of appropriate knowledge, relevant skills, and professional disposition, as well as the accumulation of credits.
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| School Counseling Program Course Requirements | ||
| CNSL 6750 | Foundational Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CNSL 6200 | Dev. Perspectives in CNSLNG | 3 |
| CNSL 6500 | Prof Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6740 | Counseling Theory & Practice | 3 |
| CNSL 6630 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| CNSL 6410 | Diagnosis in School Counseling | 1 |
| CNSL 6770 | Diversity & Intersectionality | 3 |
| CNSL 6440 | Modalities: Counsel Child & Ad | 3 |
| CNSL 6400 | Professional School Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6000 | Research Methods in Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6420 | Assessment in School CNSLNG | 2 |
| CNSL 6991 | Counseling Internship (Taken twice for 6 credits total) | 6 |
| CNSL 6930 | Adv Group:Theory and Practice | 3 |
| CNSL 6880 | Family and Couples Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6070 | Counselors as Educators | 3 |
| CNSL 6810 | Counsel/Career&Lifestyle Dev | 3 |
| CNSL 6760 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6990 | Special Topics (Trauma & Crisis) | 3 |
| 6 credits of Special Topics or Electives | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Mental Health Program Course Requirements | ||
| CNSL 6750 | Foundational Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CNSL 6200 | Dev. Perspectives in CNSLNG | 3 |
| CNSL 6500 | Prof Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6740 | Counseling Theory & Practice | 3 |
| CNSL 6630 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| CNSL 6450 | Diagnosis in CMH Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6770 | Diversity & Intersectionality | 3 |
| CNSL 6440 | Modalities: Counsel Child & Ad | 3 |
| CNSL 6000 | Research Methods in Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6520 | Assessment in CMH Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6991 | Counseling Internship (Taken more than once; 6 credits required) | 6 |
| CNSL 6930 | Adv Group:Theory and Practice | 3 |
| CNSL 6880 | Family and Couples Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6610 | Practice of Mental Hlth Cnslng | 3 |
| CNSL 6810 | Counsel/Career&Lifestyle Dev | 3 |
| CNSL 6760 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| EDFS 6990 | Special Topics (Trauma & Crisis) | 3 |
| Counseling Elective | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
| Requirement Description | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Option Program Course Requirements | ||
| CNSL 6750 | Foundational Counseling Skills | 3 |
| CNSL 6200 | Dev. Perspectives in CNSLNG | 3 |
| CNSL 6500 | Prof Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6740 | Counseling Theory & Practice | 3 |
| CNSL 6630 | Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| CNSL 6440 | Modalities: Counsel Child & Ad | 3 |
| CNSL 6770 | Diversity & Intersectionality | 3 |
| CNSL 6400 | Professional School Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6000 | Research Methods in Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6520 | Assessment in CMH Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6991 | Counseling Internship (Repeated for credit over 4 semesters; 12 credits required) | 12 |
| CNSL 6930 | Adv Group:Theory and Practice | 3 |
| CNSL 6070 | Counselors as Educators | 3 |
| CNSL 6450 | Diagnosis in CMH Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6360 | Trauma, Crisis & Suicide Prev | 3 |
| CNSL 6880 | Family and Couples Counseling | 3 |
| CNSL 6610 | Practice of Mental Hlth Cnslng | 3 |
| CNSL 6810 | Counsel/Career&Lifestyle Dev | 3 |
| CNSL 6760 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| Special Topics or Electives | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 69 | |
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive exam for the Graduate Counseling program consists of the oral defense examination for the clinical mental health program and the Vermont Level I Licensure Portfolio for the school counseling program. They must be completed in full by the end of the student's last semester in the program.
The oral examination is designed to be an assessment of a student's knowledge of fundamental elements of clinical mental health practice. The exam process requires a written submission as well as a digital video recording of a clinical session at 3 points in time during the program. A standard format for the oral exam is adhered to by the orals committee and communicated in advance to the students in oral and written format.
The Vermont Level I Licensure Portfolio required by the Vermont Agency of Education is designed to be a comprehensive assessment of a student's knowledge and engagement in School Counseling practice. A standard format for the portfolio is adhered to by the portfolio reviewers and communicated in advance to the student in oral and written format.
Requirements for Advancement to Candidacy for the Degree of Master of Science
Successful completion of any prerequisite courses, and at least 15 graded graduate credits with a 3.00 GPA or better, including all core courses.