School of Education – Counselor Education Programs
North Dakota State University in Fargo is highly regarded as a national institution of higher learning. The Carnegie Commission on Higher Education noted it as one of the 108 best private and public universities in the country and several NDSU programs were ranked in the Top 100 by the National Science Foundation for extensive research activity. NDSU is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Its programs in counselor education have been recognized as well, receiving the prestigious Innovative Counselor Education Program award in 2011, bestowed by the North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NACES). NDSU counseling programs focus upon research, application and supervision, depending upon the degree awarded.
Master's of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or in School Counseling
The M.S. graduate degree emphasizes research and is available in two different disciplines: Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. Initial coursework covers similar topics of growth, human development, social relationships and assessment techniques, but becomes more specialized for clinical vs school settings as the program progresses. For example, those studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling will take a course on marital counseling while thoseinterested in becoming a school counselor will complete a course on professional counseling for grades K-12.
Both M.S. programs are 60 credits and will take approximately three years to complete. Requirements include 600 hours of internship and a written thesis based on pertinent research. Each degree is a foundation for entry level positions as mental health practitioners in clinics or schools. They also prepare the candidate for national certification and state licensure exams.
Master's of Education (M.Ed.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or in School Counseling
The M.Ed degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling have less emphasis on research based practices and more on practical applications for the job setting. Coursework for the first year covers much of the same material as for the M.S. degree before branching off into more specific areas related to providing counseling in clinical or school settings.
Each M.Ed. program is 48 credit hours in length and there is no thesis required. However, the M.Ed. internship is longer at 900 practicum hours of field experience. Like the M.S. programs, these degrees are foundational for entry level positions in specialty areas and will prepare candidates for national certification and state licensure exams.
Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
This accredited counseling degree program in North Dakota is for those with an interest in counseling practice, teaching, leadership, research, and professional service. Candidates must possess a master's degree in counseling and will take 71 credit hours of coursework. Many of the holders of a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision will go on to teach at the college level. A major emphasis for this Ph.D. program has been to raise awareness about the increase of multiculturalism and diversity in society and their effects upon communities and relationships. As such, the NDSU Counselor Education and Supervision program has attracted a wide variety of doctoral students from diverse backgrounds, at least 18% of those from underrepresented groups.
Accreditations
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
Contacts
Counselor Education office – SGC C117
School of Education, North Dakota State University
P.O. Box 6050
Fargo, North Dakota 58108-6050
701-231-7202
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Coordinator:
James S. Korcuska, Ph.D.,NCC
james.korcuska@ndsu.edu
School Counseling Program Coordinator:
Dr. Carol E. Buchholz Holland, Ph.D.
Carol.E.Buchholz@ndsu.edu
Doctoral Program Coordinator:
Jill R. Nelson, Ph.D. Associate Dean/Human Development and Education & Associate Professor/School of Education
Jill.R.Nelson@ndsu.edu