Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Counseling and Psychology in Education-Counselor Education ( Ed.S.)


Program Overview


Become an expert in school and human service organizations with an advanced degree in counseling and psychology in education. If you are pursuing a master’s degree you may specialize in counseling, clinical mental health or human development and educational psychology. If you plan to pursue an Ed.S. or Ph.D., you can specialize in counselor education, human development and educational psychology or school psychology. Our small class size allows you to develop one-on-one relationships with faculty as you gain the necessary skills to serve the educational and mental health needs of children or to work as a senior school psychologist. The program has been accredited by CACREP since 1993 and NASP since 2000. Learn more at usd.edu/cpe.

DELIVERY: On campus

Major Area Coursework


This degree emphasizes counseling practitioner specialization beyond the master’s. The program of study is tailored to the student’s professional needs and career goals. Students work closely with their advisor to design an individualized counseling-related program of study. The faculty grants final approval. For this reason, there is not a specific required course sequence.

Students are required to complete 60 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 32 credit hours taken beyond the counseling master’s core during the Specialist program enrollment at USD. Students are required to take at least one practicum during the program [COUN 895  or COUN 795 ]. In addition, the student may choose to complete a Thesis, Applied Clinical Project, or Portfolio. Based upon the student’s choice and advisor recommendation, the Counseling faculty chooses the appropriate final defense.

All students who are admitted to the program must successfully complete nine credit hours of trial coursework selected with and approved by their advisor. These initial nine hours must include EDER 761 , if not taken previously. Having completed this trial course work, the student completes a preliminary examination. After successfully passing the initial coursework with a “B” average and passing the preliminary examination, the student becomes a degree candidate and is permitted to file a program of study approved by his/her advisor.

Application Requirements


  1. Completed application
  2. $35 application fee
  3. Official transcripts*
  4. Letters of recommendation*
  5. Admission test scores*
  6. Statement of purpose
  7. Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. For specific program requirements and submission deadline, visit: catalog.usd.edu.

Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification


The educational curriculum for your academic program may or may not meet educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification in states other than South Dakota. If you are planning to apply for licensure/certification in a state other than South Dakota after completion of your program, please review that state and your program on USD’s Licensure-Track Programs webpage. Licensure-Track Programs

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?


Division of Counseling and Psychology in Education
605-658-6623 | cpe@usd.eduusd.edu/cpe


Graduate Admissions
605-658-6200 | gradadmissions@usd.edu  | usd.edu/grad