|
|
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Petree College of Arts & Sciences at OCU offers the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Applied Behavioral Studies: Professional Counseling. It is designed to train students to become professional counselors and render services to individuals, groups, and families experiencing normal adjustment difficulties of a personal, social, or career nature in settings such as community counseling centers, mental health clinics, guidance centers, human service agencies, drug and alcohol treatment facilities, university counseling centers, abuse shelters, religious counseling centers, and private practice (once licensure is attained). Students are encouraged to secure internships in settings consistent with their specific areas of professional interest.
STRUCTURE
In order to attain the professional counseling concentration, the student must accrue at least 60 credit hours, including field experience. The sequenced, mental health program of study is designed to meet the Oklahoma academic requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)--as set forth and granted by the State Department of Health. Students must first meet academic requirements for the 33 hour M.Ed. in Applied Behavioral Studies, then complete 3 more traditional courses (plus field experience) to have the "Professional Counseling" designation added to their transcript--bringing the total to 60 credit hours (as required by Oklahoma). Most courses are offered in the evening, but flexible daytime schedules are necessary for Practicum and Internship. The program is fast-track in that most of the courses are offered in a once-per-week, 8-week session. Some courses, such as Practicum and Internship, will be offered in longer sessions. Each 3 credit hour course requires a one-weekend seminar while 4 credit hour courses will require more. Some summer course work is required. Students must satisfactorily complete a proficiency exit exam in the last semester of enrollment.
PHILOSOPHY
Emphasizing a practitioner-wellness model, counseling is viewed as an integration of art and science at OCU. As such, the counselor's effectiveness becomes a product, in part, of personal awareness and creativity. The experiential philosophy of the program reflects this belief by emphasizing students' personal growth and development as critical in the training of counselors. It is therefore assumed that students not only desire, but also intend to pursue the inspection of their own personal identity, growth, and development--both inside and outside the classroom--as an integral part of their graduate studies in counseling at OCU.
CURRICULUM*
ABS 6813 Personality & Human Development
ABS 5703 Behavior Pathology
ABS 5713 Counseling Theories
ABS 5314 Assessment I
ABS 6903 Research Methods
ABS 6743 Group Process
ABS 5813 Career Development
ABS 6513 Socio-cultural Foundations
ABS 5313 Sexual Issues in Counseling
ABS 6975 Professional Orientation/Ethics
ABS 6776 Practicum
ABS 6714 Advanced Counseling Techniques
ABS 6314 Assessment II
ABS 5564 Marriage & Family Therapy
ABS 6979 Internship
[* curriculum subject to change; bottom 5 classes denotes required course to be taken beyond the 33 hour M.Ed. in Applied Behavioral Studies in order to have the "Professional Counseling" designation added to the transcript--if seeking the LPC]
CANDIDACY & PROBATION
Near completion of the 33 hour M.Ed. in Applied Behavioral Studies, students will be evaluated and must "advance to candidacy" in order to continue study toward the Professional Counseling concentration (for those seeking the LPC). This requires grades of at least 3.0 in each course as well as demonstrating a high degree of professionalism, ethical behavior, and a non-combative, non-abrasive attitude on campus with faculty and students as well as off-campus with supervisors. An oral candidacy interview may also be requested.
If a student's grade point average (GPA) falls below a 3.0 before or after candidacy, he/she will be placed on academic probation with one semester to raise the GPA to 3.0 or higher. Students entering on probation must raise their ABS grade point average to at least a 3.0 within the next 9 semester hours taken. A student placed on probation twice may disqualify him/her from continuation. Only one course grade in the C range is acceptable. Under no circumstances is a grade below the C range acceptable.
QUALIFICATIONS & ADMISSIONS (see Graduate Admissions for other requirements)
An earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education (or its substantial foreign equivalent)
Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0
Ability to speak and write proficiently in the English language
2 recommendation letters (preferably from faculty)--sent to Graduate Admissions
Submission of transcripts from all institutions, reflecting all course work taken
For international students, a minimum TOEFL of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer based), or 79 (Internet based), or the equivalent on another appropriate examination, such as the IELTS.
APPLY
Email Dr. Bryan Farha (Director)
about Dr. Farha
Telephone: (405) 208-5387 (Dr. Farha)
Toll-free: (800) 633-7242 (Admissions)
|
