The Counseling Program is CACREP-accredited and ensures the highest academic and professional standards, providing individuals with theoretical frameworks and competencies that prepare them to offer effective counseling services. There are three degree specialty areas within the program: clinical mental health counseling, college counseling and student affairs, and school counseling. The specialty areas of clinical mental health counseling and school counseling integrate Illinois state requirements for licensure, and all specialty areas meet national standards for professional practice. The college counseling and student affairs program is 72 credit hours and the clinical mental health counseling program is 90 credit hours. Beginning in autumn quarter 2023 the school counseling program will become 90 credit hours. All specialty areas include a 100 hour practicum and 600 hour internship. These clinical experiences are mandatory, and for the school counseling and clinical mental health counseling specialty areas, they are required by the state for licensure. A degree from the Counseling Program prepares students for career opportunities such as school counseling in elementary, middle, and high schools; counseling in community agencies; counseling in higher education; career counseling through the lifespan; counseling in hospitals or institutional-care settings; group counseling; couples and family counseling; or counseling in private practice, depending upon the chosen specialty area. All of the specialty areas emphasize and are designed to foster leadership, advocacy, and social justice.
The MA degree in Counseling requires the successful completion of a Thesis.
Specialty Areas
The Counseling program has three specialty areas:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- College Counseling and Student Affairs
- School Counseling
School Counseling Licensure Option
The School Counseling specialty area is an Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) approved program for the Illinois Professional Educator License with and endorsement in School Counseling.
LPC Licensure Information
The State of Illinois requires that those who wish to work as a counselor have licensure as either a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or an advanced Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). The Counseling program’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialty area meets the educational requirements for the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. However, there are further requirements that must be met according to state regulations. For more information, contact the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation in Springfield, Illinois.
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements (School Counseling) (MA or MEd) | 90-94 |
| Total hours required | 90-94 |
| Program Requirements | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|
| Degree Requirements (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) (MA or MEd) | 90 |
| Total hours required | 90 |
Learning Outcomes
Student will be able to:
- Exhibit personal and professional maturity and adhere to the ethical codes of the counseling profession.
- Explain how social systems and policies impact underrepresented, marginalized, and oppressed groups and, when deemed necessary, incorporate multicultural advocacy skills in their professional practice.
- Apply micro counseling skills when providing counseling services with clients and/or students.
- Evaluate research and conduct program evaluation.
- Use a variety of individual counseling strategies and provide appropriate referral services.
College Requirements
Dispositions
The academic programs within the College of Education have set forth these dispositions as educational and professional expectations for all students. Students should be aware that failing to abide by DePaul University or College of Education policies including, under certain circumstances, these dispositions, could result in adverse consequences for the student, including removal from his or her program, the College of Education, or the University.
- Is receptive to faculty feedback and acts meaningfully and professionally upon suggestions
- Reflects on his or her own progress and identifies strengths and weaknesses, including evaluating strategies for success, finding alternatives for inappropriate strategies, and modifying future practices
- Demonstrates a positive attitude and commitment to the profession
- Demonstrates thoughtful, effective verbal and non-verbal communication and listening skills
- Respects and considers cultural contexts in order to determine how to be responsive to learners and to proactively promote all students' learning
- Is committed to collaboration with colleagues, families, and communities in order to promote all students' learning and development
- Demonstrates professional ethical and legal behavior as defined by the respective codes of ethics and laws
- Recognizes and fulfills professional responsibilities and habits of conduct (e.g., dress, language, preparedness, attendance, punctuality, etc.)
- Demonstrates concern for and protection of safety and well-being of others
Degree Conferral and Graduation
The awarding of a degree is not automatic. You must submit an application to be considered for the degree. DePaul awards and posts degrees at the end of each regular academic term (autumn, winter, spring, summer).
It is your responsibility to initiate the degree conferral application process by submitting an online application. Submitting an application means you intend to finish your degree requirements by the end of the term for which you have applied.
Graduate students must be approved for student teaching and complete student teaching, seminar, and induction courses to be cleared for the degree. Student must submit graduation application for the quarter you are completing the final course (student teaching is considered a course).
After you submit the application, you cannot register for any term after the one selected in the application.
To apply for degree conferral, log on to Campus Connection. Select FOR STUDENTS, then GRADUATION, then APPLY FOR DEGREE CONFERRAL. On screen instructions will take you through the application process.
Provided that all requirements and financial obligations are met, degrees are posted 30 days after the official end of the term. Official dates are listed on the Academic Calendar.
DePaul holds one commencement ceremony each year in June. If you intend to participate, you must first apply for degree conferral for the current academic year and then submit a cap and gown order. Honors are not announced at the ceremony for undergraduates completing their final courses in spring quarter because a final GPA is not available at the time of the ceremony.
Additional information about degree conferral and graduation can be found on the College of Education website.
College Requirements
Dispositions
- Is receptive to supervisor and faculty feedback and acts meaningfully and professionally upon suggestions
- Reflects on their own progress and identifies strengths and weaknesses, including evaluating strategies for success, finding alternatives for inappropriate strategies, and modifying future practices
- Takes initiative in all learning experiences and responsibility for their own professional growth and development
- Is open to new ideas and engagement in learning
- Demonstrates awareness of own cultural values and biases, actively works to understand clients’ worldviews, and applies culturally appropriate intervention strategies
- Demonstrates professional ethical and legal behavior as defined by the respective codes of ethics and laws
- Communicates and cooperates effectively with others
- Demonstrates consistent professional behavior across all settings
- Maintains appropriate interpersonal and professional boundaries
- Accepts personal responsibility for their own behavior
- Expresses feelings and opinions effectively and appropriately to the setting
Degree Conferral and Graduation
Degree Requirements
Professional Practice
Students complete their Professional Practice courses towards the end of the program. The Professional Practice courses include a Practicum in Counseling, Internship in Counseling I, and Internship in Counseling II. Students must have taken the specialty area's prerequisite courses and must complete a formal application process to participate in the Professional Practice experience. This includes attending a clinical orientation a full year before submitting an initial placement site application, securing a placement, and beginning the Professional Practice experience. Students should consult an advisor for additional information on the application and the course enrollment process.
Professional Practice Courses: 12 quarter hours required, grade of B or better required
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSL 552 | PRACTICUM IN COUNSELING | 4 |
| CSL 553 | INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING I | 4 |
| CSL 554 | INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING II | 4 |