COUNSELOR EDUCATION
The Counselor Education program offers graduate work leading to a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree. There are twospecializations in the program: schoolcounseling and community counseling. The program prepares students to become entry-level, human development specialists. The M.Ed. level program constitutes the initial professional preparation for students desiring employment in public or private schools or non-educational agencies. The course of study is based on the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) national standards.
Accreditation
The Professional Education Programs at UMES are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The school counseling specialization meets competency area requirements for school certification (PreK-12).
Admission Criteria
The Counselor Education Program Admissions Committee recommends students to the UMESGraduateSchool for admission to the program. Entrance requirements include:
A.Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution;
B. Course preparation in education, psychology and human development. Students are expected to have completed undergraduate courses in education, psychology and/or other behavioral sciences prior to entry into the program. Students who have not completed course work in these areas may be required to do so before being admitted to the program; and/or be required to take EDGC 610 Advanced Psychology;
C. 3.0 average or better on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate course work;
D. Three letters of recommendation from persons capable of assessing the applicant's potential for success in the Counselor Education graduate program;
E. An interview with the Admissions Committee.
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester - May 1st
Spring Semester - November 1st
Summer Sessions - April 1st
Provisional Admission
Applicants who possess an overall GPA of between 2.75 to 2.99 will be admitted to Provisional Status. Provisional Status students must maintain a 3.30 average in the first nine approved credit hours of graduate level courses in Counselor Education. In exceptional cases, students who possess an overall GPA of 2.5 - 2.74 and yet show promise may be considered for Provisional Status.
A student who is considered to have potential for success, but lacks adequate course preparation for Counselor Education, may be asked to complete additional courses to enhance his/her background in related fields.
Retention and Exit Requirements
A 100 clock hour practicum and a 400 clock hour Internship are required for all students. The practicum and internship are supervised counseling experiences in which students are required to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. Students seeking certification as a school counselor are placed in school settings at the elementary/middle and/or high school levels where they can participate in all activities that a professional school counselor is expected to perform. Other students are placed in appropriate agencies and settings where they can participate in all activities expected by a professionalcommunity counselor. Application to take the practicum must be filed with the department one semester before the student plans to take it. Approval by the advisor and the program coordinator isrequired.
Students selecting the school counseling specialization must pass a background check prior to the practicum experience. Students who are certified teachers and currently working in a public or private school setting may not need to pass the backgroundcheck.
A written comprehensive examination is required to ensure the mastery of the programcompetencies. Core courses must be completedbefore the comprehensive examination is taken.
The completion of a seminar paper demonstrating research competency is required.The Advisor for the paper, the GraduateProgram Coordinator, and the Chair of theEducation Department must approve this paper.
For retention, Counselor Education candidates must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and earn no more than a total of two ‘C’ grades in the program.
A minimum of 48 credit hours is required for completion of the master’s degree program in Counselor Education.
Program Objectives:
The general objectives of the program are:
A. To help students develop personal and interpersonal characteristics and skills that are necessary to be effective in helping others; and
B. To provide students with the competencies needed to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and dispositions that are necessary for counselors in school settings and human development specialists or counselors in non-school settings.
Counselor Education Courses
Based upon the applicant's background and interests, a course of study will be planned with the advisor that is congruent with the student’s career goals. Curriculum options are: (1) School Counseling PreK-12; or (2) Community Counseling.
(NOTE: COURSE CREDIT HOURS ARE GIVEN IN PARENTHESES.)
SCHOOL PROGRAM (PreK-12)
CORE COURSE/COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
EDGC 601 Introduction to Guidance & Counseling(3)
EDGC 604 Theories and Techniques of Counseling(3)
EDGC 605 Individual and Group Appraisal(3)
EDGC 606 Clinical Applications of Counseling(3)
EDUC 620 Human Growth and Development(3)
EDGC 631 Career and Life Development (3)
EDGC 640 Group Processes in Counseling(3)
EDGC 643 Counseling Children and Adolescents(3)
EDGC 645 Cross Cultural Perspectives
in Counseling (3)
EDGC 660 Crisis Management in Counseling (3)
EDGC 665 Special Topics(1)
EDGC 670 Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues
in Counseling(3)
EDGC 677 Practicum in School Counseling (3)
EDUC 690 Introduction to Behavioral Research (3)
EDGC 697 Advanced Practicum in Counseling (3)
EDGC 698 Seminar in Counselor Education(1-6)
Elective(3)
COMMUNITY COUNSELING
CORE COURSE/COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS
EDGC 602 Introduction to Community Counseling (3)
EDGC 604 Theories and Techniques of Counseling (3)
EDGC 606 Clinical Applications in Counseling (3)
EDGC 612 Marriage and Family Counseling (3)
EDUC 620 Human Growth and Development (3)
EDGC 631 Career and Life Development (3)
EDGC 640 Group Processes in Counseling (3)
EDGC 645 Cross Cultural Perspectives in
Counseling (3)
EDGC 655 Social Diversity in Counseling (3)
EDGC 660 Crisis Management in Counseling (3)
EDGC 665 Special Topics(1)
EDGC 670 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues
in Counseling (3)
EDGC 679 Practicum in Community Counseling (3)
EDUC 690 Introduction to Behavioral Research (3)
EDGC 698 Seminar in Counselor Education(1-6)
EDGC 699 Advanced Practicum in Community
Counseling (3)
Elective (3)
ELECTIVE COURSES
The student may select additional electives to complete degree requirements from the following offerings upon approval by the advisor.
EDGC 655 Social Diversity in Counseling (3)
EDGC 612 Marriage and Family Counseling (3)
EDGC 665 Special Topics (1)
(maximum 6 credits)
EDGC 610 Introduction to Advanced Psychology (3)
SPED 600 Characteristics of Exceptional
Individuals (3)
EDGC 609 Special Problems in Counselor Education (1-3)
EDGC 646 Organization and Administration
of Guidance Programs (3)
EDGC 665 Special Topics(1-6)
EDGC 798 Research Project (3)
COURSES
EDGC 601 Introduction to Guidance and Counseling (3)
This course is an overview of the field of counseling, providing knowledge of the historical and philosophical foundations of guidance and counseling and their implications for professional practice. Professional activities and ethical practices of counselors and other helping professionals in both educational and non-educational settings are explored. Exploration of how personal values interact and impact upon counseling are examined.
EDGC 602 Introduction to Community
Counseling (3)
This course focus on planning, implementation, administration, and evaluation of human service systems affecting communication. Major organization theories, management styles, administrative techniques and study of relevant issues in human services delivery in a community setting are explored.
EDGC 604 Theories & Techniques of
Counseling (3)
The course focuses on counseling theories and techniques, with emphasis on their applicability to specific counseling settings and counselor orientation.
EDGC 605 Individual and Group
Appraisal (3)
The course focuses on the following topics: understanding of group and individual educational and psychometric approaches to appraisal, use and interpretation of both standardized and non-standardized appraisal data, and planning and administering testing programs. Prerequisites: EDGC 601/602
EDGC 606 Clinical Applications of
Counseling (3)
Students conduct the initial stages of counseling with individuals, who present a variety of personal, educational, and vocational concerns. Students will establish realistic goals with the client and evaluate the extent to which goals were reached. Students will describe their own well formulated theory of counseling. PREREQUISITE: Must obtain thepermission of the Coordinator of theCounselor Education Program to enrollin this course.
EDGC 609 Special Problems in CounselorEducation (1-3)
This course consists of individual projects geared to specific needs of students. It allows students to study independently in topical areas related to counseling. Specific requirements related to each independent study are approved on an individual basis.
PREREQUISITE: Written permission ofadviser is required.
EDGC 610 Introduction to Advanced
Psychology (3)
This is a survey course which reviews major psychological concepts of human development and behavior. The intent of this course is to provide a foundation to students with a minimal background in psychology and the social sciences who intend to enter the field of counseling. Emphasis is given to personality theory, abnormal psychology, and adjustment.
EDGC 612 Marriage & Family
Counseling (3)
This course focuses on counseling theory and techniques as related to families and couples, with an emphasis on the unique aspects of marriage and family relationships. Analysis of family dynamics and the use and interpretation of genograms are presented. Prerequisites: EDGC 601/602, EDGC 604, EDUC 620
EDGC 631Career and Life
Development (3)
This course is the study of topics on: career development theories, the relationship between career choice and life style, sources of occupational and personal/social information, career decision-making processes and career development explanation techniques. Prerequisites: EDGC 601/602
EDGC 640 Group Processes in
Counseling (3)
The study of the dynamic processes that occur in groups and their application to group counseling is the focus of this course. It examines group stages, leadership styles and the importance of verbal and non-verbal communication in a laboratory setting. Social and cultural issues such as race, gender and social class are also addressed. Actual involvement in group process is required. Prerequisites: EDGC 601/602 EDGC 604, EDUC 620
EDGC 643 Counseling Children and
Adolescents (3)
This course examines counseling theory and techniques as related to children and adolescents. It emphasizes how to plan and implement counseling strategies appropriate to the developmental stages and need of each group. Prerequisites: EDGC 601/602, EDGC604, EDUC 620
EDGC 645 Cross-Cultural Perspectives in
Counseling (3)
This course examines barriers in effective cross-cultural counseling. There is an emphasis on understanding cultural characteristics on visible racial/ethnic groups. Issues of racial identity world view and bias awareness are addressed. Prerequisites: EDGC 601/602
EDGC 646 Organization and
Administration of Guidance
Programs (3)
This course examines the evolution of content-based comprehensive guidance programs and why guidance programs are an integral part of the school curriculum. It provides the student with experience in developing and implementing a comprehensive program.
EDGC 655 Social Diversity in
Counseling (3)
This course is study of the nature, characteristics, and needs of socially diverse client groups seeking counseling. Socially diverse groups will include those with differing life-styles, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, the gifted and talented, the elderly, the obese and women. An emphasis will be placed on societal oppression, treatment, discrimination, and specific counseling issues related to these socially diverse groups. Prerequisite: EDGC 601/602, EDGC 645
EDGC 660 Crisis Management in
Counseling (3)
This is an overview of applied therapeutic counseling in general and crisis intervention in particular. There is an emphasis on intervention strategies that work when people are in crisis. Counseling and counselor issues that will be effective in any crisis are explored. Topics such as suicide, sexual assault, posttraumatic stress disorder, and bereavement and grief are addressed. Prerequisites: EDGC 601/602
EDGC 665 Special Topics (1)
This course number and title are intended to be a mechanism for students to take 1 credit courses on special topics that are cutting edge in the field of counseling and/or completion of program skills and requirements. All courses will be listed as 665 with a letter to delineate which course was taken (e.g. 665a-technology in counseling; 665b-gerontological counseling; 665c-Adlerian counseling; 665d-seminar II). Prerequisites: EDGC 601/602
EDGC 670 Ethical, Legal and
Professional Issues
in Counseling (3)
The study of the role of the counselor in relation to ethical and legal issues and dilemmas is explored. Emphasis is place on the dynamic interactions and processes between counselor, individuals, and institutions. Topics such as standards, licensure, accountability, liability, and professional development will be addressed. Prerequisites: EDGC 601/602
EDGC 677 Practicum in School
Counseling (3)
This course assists counselor trainees in acquiring a broad and varied background of knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as certain personal characteristics, in order to perform their roles effectively and efficiently. The trainee must demonstrate under supervision the ability to integrate and apply theories and techniques in providing direct counseling services for individuals and groups and to participate in appropriate professional activities in the practicum setting. PREREQUISITE: Mustobtain the permission of the Coordinator ofthe Counselor Education Program toenroll in this course.
EDGC 679 Practicum in Community
Counseling (3)
This course assist community counselor trainees in acquiring a broad and varied background of knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as certain personal characteristics, in order to perform their roles effectively and efficiently. PREREQUISITE: Must obtain thepermission of the Coordinator of theCounselor EducationProgram to enrollin this course.
EDGC 697 Advanced Practicum in
School Counseling (3)
This course is an advanced group supervision experience (taken in conjunction with the second practicum placement) which seeks to provide a capstone experience that prepares students for a career as a professional counselor.
EDGC 698 Seminar in Counselor Education (1-6)
The opportunity to research professional issues is provided, culminating in an approved seminar paper. Prerequisites: EDGC 601/602, EDUC690
EDGC 699 Advanced Practicum in
Community Counseling
(3)
This course is an advanced group supervision experience (taken in conjunction with the second part of practicum placement) which seeks to provide a capstone experience that prepares students for a career as a professional counselor. PREREQUISITE: Must obtain thepermission of the Coordinator of theCounselor Education Program to enrollin thiscourse.
EDGC 798 Research Project (3)
This course allows students to pursue topics of interest that relate to counselor education as an independent study under the direction of faculty.
PREREQUISITE: Must obtain thepermission of the Coordinator of theCounselor Education Program to enrollin this course.
EDUC 620 Human Growth &
Development (3)
This course is a general overview of life-span development from conception through late adulthood. The scientific study of the quantitative and qualitative ways people change over time is examined. The use of theory and other information through application of scientific principles in the study of a child may be included.
EDUC 690 Introduction to Behavioral
Research (3)
This course introduces the various methods and techniques of educational research. It provides intensive experience both in reading, analyzing and interpreting educational research and in writing abstracts, reports on research and seminar papers. Prerequisites: EDGC 601/602
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For further information on this program, please contact:
Dr. Cheryl Bowers
Graduate Program Coordinator
Counselor Education
Department of Education
Hazel Hall
University of MarylandEastern Shore
Princess Anne, MD 21853
Email: