Registration

All students admitted to graduate study are to be in continuous registration every fall and winter semester until they receive their degree unless prior approval is received from the Program Office. Once candidacy is achieved, in order to remain an active and matriculated student, registration is required in every semester until the completion of degree requirements, unless a leave of absence has been granted. Failure to remain in continuous registration will be deemed as the student's formal withdrawal from the program. All other program, center, and university requirements will be in effect.

Candidacy (Matriculation)

Mental Health Counseling Program. Students are admitted into graduate study at the master's level and are reviewed for degree candidacy (matriculation) after completion of the designated four courses (12 credits), which must be completed within the first six courses (18 credits) or two semesters for which the student is enrolled.

These four designated courses require demonstration of written, quantitative, and interpersonal skills, as well as overall professional functioning. The designated four courses for matriculation include:

1. PSY 502 - Counseling Theories and Practice
2. PSY 511 - Foundations of Mental Health Counseling
3. PSY 507 - Research and Evaluation for Counselors
4. PSY 584 - Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Psychopathology

Prior to the formal matriculation review, should a student receive a second grade below B or a grade of F, the student will automatically be withdrawn from graduate study. Students who achieve a grade point average of 2.5 or below in the four designated courses will be discontinued from graduate study in the program.

Students with a grade point average greater than 2.5 but less than 3.0 for the four designated courses will be maintained in a non-matriculated status. No more than four additional courses may be taken without achieving an overall grade point average of 3.0.

School Guidance and Counseling Program. Students are admitted to graduate study at the master's level and are reviewed for degree candidacy (matriculation) after the completion of the first four courses (12 credits) for which the student is enroll. During the formal review for matriculation, the student's academic performance and professional functioning in the first four courses will be examined. Students need a grade point average of 3.0 or above in the first four courses to be matriculated. Students who receive two grades below a B or a grade of F in any of the first four courses will not be matriculated and will be withdrawn from graduate study. Students are required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average.

Under no circumstances will students who achieve a grade point average of 2.5 or below in the first four courses be permitted to take graduate-level courses in the program.

Those students with a grade point average greater than 2.5 but less than 3.0 for the first four courses will be maintained in a nonmatriculated status. No more than four additional courses may be taken without achieving an overall grade point average of 3.0.

Time Limits

Students must complete their program within five years from the date of first enrollment. This means that students are expected to complete all master's degree requirements including the Comprehensive Final Examination when required and graduate within this time period. In the event that a matriculated student who has been in continuous enrollment does not complete all requirements within the five-year time limit, he or she must enroll in the master's program and:

1. Maintain full-time status (minimum six credits per semester, excluding summer sessions.)
2. Complete remaining degree requirements, which will include any course work that is more than five years old.

Each student is evaluated on an ongoing basis while enrolled in the program. In addition, there are course evaluations, review for matriculation, evaluation of readiness for practicum, and a comprehensive examination. Evaluation provides students with relevant feedback concerning their performance and ensures high standards for the profession of counseling. Student advisement on relevant information, including practicum evaluations, is available through the program office.

Degree Completion Requirements

A student must complete all course work required for the degree chosen with a minimum grade point average of at least 3.0 and successfully complete the comprehensive examination. The Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling Program requires a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate credit. The Master of Science in School Guidance and Counseling Program requires a minimum of 46 semester hours of graduate credit. A candidate is expected to complete the master's program and graduate within five years.