School Counseling and Guidance Services M.Ed.

Admission

Admission to The University of Southern Mississippi’s graduate programs in educational leadership and school counseling is selective. Regular admission is contingent on having graduated from a college or university accredited by a recognized regional accrediting agency. In addition, the department’s Admission Committee recommends admittance only for those applicants whose academic background, work experience, demonstrated leadership, and communication skills meet the challenging demands of graduate programs in school counseling. In evaluating applications, the admission committees utilize separate criteria in each degree program offered.

Summer Cohort: Courses are offered for the summer term partially online with face-to-face instruction on the Hattiesburg campus. Online coursework, practicums, and internships are completed during fall and spring semesters.

Traditional Cohort: Courses are offered throughout the academic year and may be available on the Hattiesburg or Gulf Coast campuses. Courses are delivered in a face-to-face format through night and weekend courses.

Required Criteria:

1. GRE - Verbal, Quantitative, Writing (within past 5 years) official scores
2. Three references from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study (one must be from immediate supervisor)
3. Written essay
4. Evidence of practicum site availability
5. GPA on last 60 hours of undergraduate work; GPA in major

Note: Applicants should check with their respective state department of education for school counseling licensure requirements.

Supplemental Criteria

Supplemental material may be submitted at the discretion of the applicant or may be requested by the admissions committee. Example: Standard Teaching License, evidence of teaching experience, clinical certifications, and other documents.

Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study form to the Graduate School by the end of the first semester they are enrolled. The Plan of Study forms are available at www.usm.edu/graduateschool/planofstudy.php - click on the “Plans of Study” link.

Research and Scholarly Integrity Education (RSIE)

All graduate students must complete CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The RSIE policy and training information are found on the Graduate School web page –www.usm.edu/graduate-school. Contact the Integrity Assurance Program Manager at (601) 266-5997 or www.usm.edu/orix  if you have any questions regarding the policy of training information.

Program Requirements:

The program includes 36 semester hours of prescribed coursework. Successful completion of a comprehensive exam, practicum internship, and a 3.0 GPA are required for graduation.

Continuous Enrollment Requirement: Students must meet the requirements specified in the front section of this Bulletin for continuous enrollment.

Application for Graduation: Application materials must be submitted one semester prior to graduation.

Graduation is based upon

1. completion of required coursework in the respective program with no grade lower than C;
2. satisfactory completion of the comprehensive examination and portfolio;
3. satisfactory performance in the counseling practica and internship;
4. 3.0 GPA.