Apr 25, 2024  
2014-2015 Graduate Catalog 
    
2014-2015 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Counseling and Psychology in Education


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Division Chairperson: Amy Schweinle, Ph.D.
Program Coordinators:

Counseling: Seth Olson, Ph.D.
Human Development and Educational Psychology: T. Bruce Proctor, Ph.D.
School Psychology: Nicholas Benson, Ph.D.

University of South Dakota
Division of Counseling and Psychology in Education
Delzell Education Center, Room 210
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Phone: 605-677-5250

cpe@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/cpe

FACULTY

Professors:

Hee-sook Choi, Ph.D., Indiana State University. Specialization: School Psychology, Personality Assessment, and Intervention and Childhood Disorders.
Harry Freeman, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin. Specialization: Developmental Research, Child Growth and Development, and Attachment Theory and Youth Violence.
Lisa Newland, Ph.D., Utah State University. Specialization: Child Development, Educational Measurement, Developmental Research, Family Studies, and Attachment across the Life Span.

Associate Professors:

Nicholas Benson, Program Coordinator for School Psychology, Ph.D., University of Florida. Specialization: School Psychology, Psychological Assessment, Educational Assessment, and Temperament.
Kelly Duncan, Ph.D., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Comprehensive School Counseling Programming, Supervision, Legal and Ethical Issues, Career and Lifespan Development, and Advocacy Issues.
David Hulac, Ph.D., University of Northern Colorado. Specialization: School Psychology, Neuropsychological Assessment and Intervention, Academic Intervention and Response to Intervention.
Seth Olson, Program Coordinator for Counseling, Ph.D., Kent State University. Specialization: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, In-patient Adolescent Care, Counselor Supervision, Brief Counseling Approaches, and Gottman Marital Counseling.
T. Bruce Proctor, Program Coordinator for Human Development and Educational Psychology, Ph.D., Purdue University. Specialization: Educational Research and School Psychology, Educational Measurement, and Assessment in Gifted Education.
Amy Schweinle, Division Chairperson, Ph.D., University of Texas-Arlington. Specialization: Educational Evaluation and Research, Experimental Psychology, and Cognitive and Motivational Development.

Assistant Professors:

Greta Bardhoshi, Ph.D., George Washington University. Specialization: School Counseling, Bullying, School Counselor role and identity.
Kathleen Brown-Rice, Ph.D., University of North Carolina-Charlotte. Specialization: Clinical Mental Health, Substance Abuse Counseling, Culture and Diversity, and Counselor Supervision.
Maribeth Jorgensen, Ph.D., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Clinical Mental Health, Research Identity, Sports Counseling, Multiculturalism, and Professional Identity.
Sarah Wollersheim-Shervey, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University. Specialization: Gender Differences and Inequalities, School-Based Mental Health.

DEGREE

Master of Arts
Specialist in Education
Doctor of Philosophy

CERTIFICATE

Mental Health Counseling  

Division of Counseling and Psychology in Education

The Division of Counseling and Psychology in Education delivers degrees in three separate areas: Counseling, School Psychology, and Human Development and Educational Psychology. All school-related programs in the division are accredited by NCATE. In addition, the clinical programs (School Psychology and Counseling) are nationally accredited by professional organizations. The School Psychology program is fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and the Counseling program is fully accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The division offers the Master’s, Specialist, and Doctoral (Ph.D.) degrees and Graduate Certificate as summarized below.

In all programs for the Division, appropriate professional and/or academic experience may complement current or past official GRE test scores to enable applicants who do not meet all of the admission criteria to be admitted on a provisional basis pending faculty approval and the approval of the Graduate Dean. In all programs for the Division, the minimum requirement for continued enrollment is successful completion of a trial course sequence and maintenance of the minimum required GPA. Students in some programs must also pass a preliminary exam in order to continue to full admission status.

Click on any of the following programs for information:

Counseling Program

Master of Arts, Plan A and Plan B  

SPECIALIZATION

Clinical Mental Health
School Counseling K-12

Specialist in Education   

SPECIALIZATION

Counselor Education

Doctor of Philosophy   

SPECIALIZATION

Counselor Education

Program Description

The Master’s degree with an emphasis in Counseling has credit-hour programs with two specialization areas ranging from 48 credit hours to 64 credit hours: Clinical Mental Health (60-64 credit hours) and School Counseling K-12 (48-52 credit hours). In addition to an individualized focus beyond the Master’s degree in counseling, the Specialist degree offers study options tailored to individual goals. The Doctoral degree has a specialization in Counselor Education. The Counseling program prepares students for licensure and certification as professional counselors, educators, and supervisors.  

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS (for Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychology in Education - Counseling Specializations)

The Counseling Program requires a two-step admission process.

Step 1: Applicants must submit the following material and, at minimum, must meet the criteria noted.

  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, is required.
  • A completed Application Packet received by the stated deadline on the program website.
  • Three letters of recommendation on the supplemental counseling recommendation form.
    • Recommenders should have knowledge of the applicant, counseling profession, and graduate school expectations.
    • Recommenders should speak to the applicant’s professional experience and potential strengths as a counselor.
  • Additional requirements exist for international students and applicants with degrees from other countries.

Step 2: Upon review by the Counseling faculty, applicants who meet the preceding criteria for admission will be selected for an on campus interview.

Admission into the master’s degree program is based upon (a) potential and aptitude for graduate study, (b) career goals consistent with the profession of counseling, (c) potential for forming positive interpersonal relationships, and (d) personality attributes linked to successful professional development as a counselor (e.g., self-awareness and self-acceptance). Quantitative (e.g., GPA) and qualitative measures (e.g., letters of recommendation and personal statement) are used to make admission decisions. The purpose of the application process is to determine “goodness of fit” between an applicant’s strengths and goals and those of the counseling program.

Application Deadline

Application deadlines and their corresponding interview schedules can be found at:
http://www.usd.edu/education/counseling-and-psychology-in-education/counseling-program-admission-requirements.cfm   

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS (for Specialist in Counseling and Psychology in Education - Counseling Specializations)

The Counseling Program requires a two-step admission process.

Step 1: Applicants must submit the following material and, at minimum, must meet the criteria noted.

  • An undergraduate and a graduate GPA 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, are required.
  • An earned Master’s degree in counseling or a counseling-related field. Specialist students must complete studies in all CACREP entry-level standards.
  • The GRE General test is required with a minimum score of 147 in both the Verbal and Quantitative sections.
  • A completed Application Packet received by the stated deadline on the program website.
  • Personal statement of professional goals
  • Three letters of recommendation on the supplemental counseling recommendation form.
    • Recommenders should have knowledge of the applicant, counseling profession, and graduate school expectations.
    • Recommenders should speak to the applicant’s professional experience and potential strengths as a counselor.
  • Additional requirements exist for international students and applicants with degrees from other countries.

Step 2: Upon review by the Counseling faculty, applicants who meet the preceding criteria for admission will be selected for an on-campus interview.

Admission into the specialist degree program is based upon (a) potential and aptitude for graduate study, (b) career goals consistent with the profession of counseling, (c) potential for forming positive interpersonal relationships, and (d) personality attributes linked to successful professional development as a counselor (e.g., self-awareness and self-acceptance). Quantitative (e.g., GRE scores) and qualitative measures (e.g., letters of recommendation) are used to make admission decisions. The purpose of the application process is to determine “goodness of fit” between an applicant’s strengths and goals and those of the counseling program.

Application Deadline

Application deadlines and their corresponding interview schedules can be found at: www.usd.edu/education/counseling-and-psychology-in-education/counseling-program-admission-requirements.cfm

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS (for Doctorate in Counseling and Psychology in Education - Counselor Education Specialization)

The Counseling Program requires a two-step admission process.

Step 1: Applicants must submit the following material and, at minimum, must meet the criteria noted.

  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better and a graduate GPA of 3.5 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, are required.
  • An earned Master’s degree in counseling or a counseling-related field. Doctoral students must complete studies in all CACREP entry-level standards.
  • The GRE General test is required with a minimum score of 150 in both Verbal and Quantitative sections.
  • A completed Application Packet received by the stated deadline on the program website.
  • Post-Master’s professional work experience is strongly recommended.
  • Personal statement of professional goals
  • Five letters of recommendation on the supplemental counseling recommendation form.
    • Recommenders should have knowledge of the applicant, counseling profession, and graduate school expectations.
    • Recommenders should speak to the applicant’s professional experience and potential strengths as a counselor.
  • Additional requirements exist for international students and applicants with degrees from other countries.

Step 2: Upon review by the Counseling faculty, applicants who meet the preceding criteria for admission will be selected for an on-campus interview.

Admission into the doctoral degree program is based upon the applicant’s (a) academic criteria and plan, (b) potential and aptitude for graduate study, scholarship, and research, (c) career goals for leadership in counselor education and supervision and/or advanced counseling practice, and (d) interpersonal characteristics related to professional counseling.

Application Deadline

Application deadlines and their corresponding interview schedules can be found at: www.usd.edu/education/counseling-and-psychology-in-education/counseling-program-admission-requirements.cfm

Performance Requirements for all Counseling Students

Retention decisions at all degree levels are based upon successful completion of the above criteria as well as demonstration of consistently high academic and clinical performance. A student’s character and personal and professional behavior will be monitored during the course of the program. Specifically, students must maintain certain GPA (MA-3.0; Ph.D-3.5) and receive acceptable annual student evaluations all times in the program. Students must demonstrate qualities of good character consistent with the ACA (American Counseling Association) Codes of Ethics. The faculty reserves the right to continually reassess the candidate’s performance concerning the stated criteria as well as the guidelines established by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) as well as other professional organizations and licensing/certifying bodies. As stated in the catalog under Academic Standing, Probation and Dismissal (see Graduate School Policy section): “It is the policy of the Graduate School that any department may, through due process, deny a graduate student admission or continued enrollment in a program for reasons (1) of academic performance which does not meet the standards of the department and the Graduate School, or (2) of conduct in violation or unfavorable of the ethical or professional standards of the degree program or discipline involved.” A procedure has been established for impartial review and hearing in the case of grievance.

Human Development and Educational Psychology Program

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Master of Arts, Plan A and Plan B  

SPECIALIZATION

Human Development and Educational Psychology

Specialist in Education   

SPECIALIZATION

Human Development and Educational Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy   

SPECIALIZATION

Human Development and Educational Psychology

Program Description

The Human Development and Educational Psychology (HDEP) Specialization at the University of South Dakota immerses students in a cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural study of children, adolescents, and young adults. Students will learn research-based theory and practice in an applied setting, designed to develop competency in human development, educational psychology, and research and statistics. While students gain a breadth of understanding across these areas, individual specialization within a content area is expected.

The program is flexible in meeting students’ real-world needs. HDEP faculty work closely with every student to design an individualized curriculum. Whether a master’s candidate interested in developing better teaching methods for students or a doctoral candidate pursuing a research career in the developmental sciences, your coursework will be uniquely packaged to fit vocational needs and personal interests. HDEP students are involved in experiencing and studying human development, cognition, and motivation where it takes place, in families, schools, communities and the larger culture. Mentorship in teaching and research is a high priority at all degree levels. To ensure a comprehensive educational experience, Ph.D. students are expected to actively engage in departmental activities, in residence, including research and teaching.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS (for the Master of Arts in Counseling and Psychology in Education - Human Development and Educational Psychology Specialization)

  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, is required for full admission.
  • The GRE General test is required with a minimum score of 148 in the Verbal section and 147 in the Quantitative section.
  • Personal statement of professional goals
  • Three letters of recommendation

-Subject to faculty approval and approval of the Graduate Dean, those who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS (for the Specialist in Counseling and Psychology in Education - Human Development and Educational Psychology Specialization)

  • An undergraduate and a graduate GPA 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, are required
  • Human Development and Educational Psychology Master’s degree or equivalent.
  • Personal statement of professional goals
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • The GRE General test is required with a minimum score of 148 in the Verbal section and 147 in the Quantitative section.

-Subject to faculty approval and approval of the Graduate Dean, prospective students who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS (for Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling and Psychology in Education - Human Development and Educational Psychology Specialization)

  • Applicants must have a graduate GPA of 3.0 or better or, if applying without a conferred graduate degree, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, for full admission. Applicants are not required to have a conferred graduate degree or graduate courses and may apply directly to the Ph.D. program with an undergraduate degree.
  • Personal statement of professional goals
  • Five letters of recommendation are required.
  • The GRE General test is required with a minimum score of 150 in the Verbal section and 149 in the Quantitative section.

-Subject to faculty approval and approval of the Graduate Dean, those who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

School Psychology Program

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Specialist in Education  

SPECIALIZATION

School Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy  

SPECIALIZATION

School Psychology

Program Description

The School Psychology program at USD prepares competent school psychologists who possess the knowledge base, necessary clinical skills, and dispositions to serve the educational and mental health needs of children of diverse backgrounds. Both the Ed.S. and Ph.D. degrees are fully accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The Doctoral degree prepares students to work in clinical and research institutions, universities, or school districts as senior school psychologists. Students who pursue a specialist degree in school psychology are prepared to primarily work in public and/or private schools.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS (for Specialist in Counseling and Psychology in Education - School Psychology Specialization)

  • Applicants must have a graduate GPA of 3.0 or better or, if applying without a conferred graduate degree, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale.
  • The GRE General test is required with a minimum score of 145 in the Verbal section and 143 in the Quantitative section.
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Curriculum vita or resume
  • Personal statement of professional goals
  • One official transcript from each institution where credit was received

 -Subject to faculty approval and approval of the Graduate Dean, those who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

Application Deadline

  • April 15 for Specialist in School Psychology to begin fall semester.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS (for Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling and Psychology in Education -School Psychology Specialization)

  • Applicants must have a graduate GPA of 3.5 or better or, if applying without a conferred graduate degree, an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale.
  • The GRE General test is required with a minimum score of 147 in the Verbal section and 145 in the Quantitative section.
  • Personal statement of professional goals
  • Curriculum vita or resume
  • Five letters of recommendation
  • One official transcript from each institution where credit was received

-Subject to faculty approval and approval of the Graduate Dean, prospective students who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

Application Deadline

  • April 1 for Doctorate in School Psychology to begin fall semester. 

Performance Requirements for all School Psychology Students

Retention decisions at all degree levels are based upon successful completion of the above criteria as well as demonstration of consistently high academic and clinical performance. A student’s character and personal and professional behavior will be monitored during the course of the program. Students must demonstrate qualities of good character consistent with the NASP (National Association of School Psychologists) and APA (American Psychological Association) Codes of Ethics. The faculty reserves the right to continually reassess the candidate’s performance concerning the stated criteria as well as the guidelines established by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) as well as other professional organizations and licensing/certifying bodies. As stated in the catalog under Academic Standing, Probation and Dismissal (located under Graduate School Policies section): “It is the policy of the Graduate School that any department may, through due process, deny a graduate student admission or continued enrollment in a program for reasons (1) of academic performance which does not meet the standards of the department and the Graduate School, or (2) of conduct in violation or unfavorable of the ethical or professional standards of the degree program or discipline involved.” A procedure has been established for impartial review and hearing in the case of grievance.

Mental Health Counseling Graduate Certificate

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Program Description

Many states, including South Dakota, have moved or are moving to a required 60 hours of training for counseling licensure. In South Dakota, for example, this license is known as Licensed Professional Counselor-Mental Health (LPC-MH). In order to accommodate application requirements for the LPC-MH and other similar state counseling licensure, often an additional 12 credit hours of graduate work beyond a 48-hour counseling program is needed. This mental health certificate will provide the additional coursework to assist with 60 hour licensure requirements. The courses for this certificate will be provided by a CACREP approved counseling program at USD and provide training in clinical supervision, crisis intervention, psychopathology, and psychopharmacology.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

  • Successful completion of bachelor’s degree as verified by official transcripts from all higher learning institutions attended
  • Undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Applicants must have experience similar to practicing mental health counselors to increase chances for academic success in courses.

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