MEd/EdS program in School Counseling

The 62 credit School Counseling degree is designed for students pursuing licensure as School Services Professionals and combines course work from the departments of Education and Psychology. Students completing this program will acquire knowledge, performances and dispositions to function in school settings as licensed School Counselors, and will be trained within the Pragmatic Model. The first integrated sequence of study (33 credits) leads to the awarding of the Master of Education in Education and Psychological Foundations and the second (29 credits) leads to the Educational Specialist’s degree. Graduates of this program will qualify for licensure as School Counselors in the State of Indiana.

The School Counseling program can be completed in two and a half years, assuming full time sequenced study, including summers. Courses are typically held during the evening, but experiential components must be met during hours in which elementary and secondary schools are in session. Graduates of this program will qualify for licensure as School Counselors in the State of Indiana.

Students who have completed graduate work within the past five years in an applicable field may transfer up to 21 credit hours towards the School Counseling degree. Transfer of credits is approved on a course-by-course basis by the Program Director and with the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School.

Graduate study at VU requires diligence and motivation. The School Counseling program is rigorous, both in its academic challenge and in its demand to prepare students to meet licensure requirements. Students work closely with both their faculty and peers. They are assigned faculty advisers who provide course selection and career guidance and who oversee practicum and internship training. Students quickly form peer networks and learning cohort groups with other education and psychology students, a process that enriches the learning experience and increases the overall resources of the group.

Early Entry Option for VU Undergraduate Students

Early entry is an option for VU undergraduate students in any major who are willing to commit to the MEd/Ed.S. School Counseling program upon completion of their Bachelor’s degree. Benefits of the program include an early admission decision for graduate status and the opportunity to save credits and tuition by allowing graduate course work during the student’s senior undergraduate year.

Students should have completed the necessary undergraduate hours in their major to graduate at completion of their senior year, must demonstrate a 3.3 cumulative grade point average, and have earned at least a B in introductory psychology, human development and statistics course work by conclusion of their Junior Fall semester. Students must submit the Early Entry application no later than March 1 of their Junior year. For application information, please contact the Graduate School.

Criteria For Admission
In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to The Graduate School, applicants should note the following requirements for both the M.Ed. and Ed.S. components of the program:

• Applicants are expected to have a background in psychology which includes one course in introductory psychology, one course in human growth and development, and one course on basic statistics. Applicants who do not meet these requirements may be admitted to the program with the understanding that they will complete these courses along with other requirements.

As part of the application process, students must provide:

• Valparaiso University Graduate Application Application;

• Official transcripts of all prior undergraduate and graduate coursework. If you have received an undergraduate or graduate degree from Valparaiso University, you are not required to submit an official transcript from Valparaiso University;

• Two letters of recommendation;

• Essay relating graduate study to professional goals. Two to four page reflective essay relating graduate study to professional goals and including a self-assessment of experience and education that qualifies the student for undertaking the School Counseling program;

• Application Fee: $30.

Admission is usually offered only for the fall semester, with priority given to applications submitted by May 1 for Fall 2010. Preference is given to applicants who plan to complete the program through full-time coursework. Subsequent application cycles (2011 and beyond) will require application materials to be submitted by March 1.

Financial Considerations
Students may be surprised to discover the affordable graduate tuition rate at Valparaiso University. Tuition for the 2010-2011 academic year is $530 per credit hour, highly competitive for a private institution of recognized national quality. Full-time graduate students pay a $146 general fee each fall and spring semester. Part-time graduate students pay a $95 general fee each fall and spring semester. Financial aid is available through student loans. Most students are employed part- or full- time in social service and school settings in the surrounding community during their graduate study.

Interested students should request an information packet from the Graduate School through our website or by e-mailing Graduate.School@valpo.edu.

Click here to apply online.