Masters Programs

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Apply to the Masters Program

In order to be admitted, applicants are required to complete the interview process with the Department of Counseling Admissions Committee. Generally, preference for interviews is given to prospective students who meet all of the requirements. Interviews are on-campus but student may request other accommodations under extraordinary circumstances. The Admissions Committee will make the final decisions regarding admission. This decision will be based on grade point average as well as the committee's impression of the applicant's interpersonal style and compatibility of personality with the program's training philosophy and written statement.

To apply to the program, go to Graduate School and click on Graduate Application. The application materials for the Master in Counseling program's preferred application date is January 15 to be considered for admission for the following academic year.

Complete the ISU Graduate School online application.
Attach a maximum two-page statement of purpose.
Submit the contact emails for three (3) letters of recommendation. The letters can be from anyone except a relative.
Have all university transcripts submitted to Graduate School
Complete an on-campus interview with the Department of Counseling Admissions Committee.

Changing your Masters Program

Application Schedule

Master's of Counseling Program applications will be accepted through January 15. A secondary admissions process may be conducted if the program has not filled all available seats with high quality applicants.

August 15- January 15 (preferred application date)	Apply to the Graduate School and Department of Counseling.
January 15- February 1	Applications reviewed by Department of Counseling Admission Committee.
Early February	Candidates selected for on-campus interviews notified. Interview conducted Mid-February (ISU Pocatello). Interview conducted Early February (ISU-Meridian).
Late February	Applicants notified of admission decisions.
April 15	Secondary admissions process may be conducted.
May/June/July	Notify alternates of admission (if applicable). New Graduate Student Surveys Sent/Returned. Advisor Assignment Letter Sent. Registration for Fall Semester Courses.

Requirements for Admission

1. Applicant must have a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited in the United States or its equivalent from a school in another country. (Must complete degree before onset of classes in the fall semester in year of acceptance.)

2. Admission into the counseling program is competitive. A preset number of students will be admitted according to faculty resources. All applicants admitted into the counseling program will require a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.

NOTE: The method of calculating an Admission GPA is based on the last 60± semester undergraduate credits (90±quarter credits), using complete semesters (quarters). In the case of those students who have not completed the baccalaureate degree, the grade point average will be calculated on the last 60 credits at the time of application. If the applicant does not meet both GPA and percentile requirements, but meets one of the parameters, they can be admitted with performance requirements.

3. Only applicants who have submitted all materials on or before the preferred application date will have their material reviewed by the Department of Counseling Admissions Committee to determine status as a competitive, qualified applicant. Due to the competition for limited seats in the Master of Counseling program, satisfactory completion of the entry level requirements does not guarantee acceptance.

4. Applicants are required to complete an interview with the Department of Counseling Admissions Committee. Usually, these interviews will be in person, but students may request other accommodations under extraordinary circumstances. The Admissions Committee will make the final decisions regarding admission. This decision will be based on grade point and test score rankings as well as the committee's impression of the applicant's interpersonal style and compatibility of personality with the program's training philosophy and written statement.

PLEASE NOTE: The Department of Counseling interviews applicants, and admits students yearly during the spring semester for course work beginning the next fall semester.

Program Costs

Program costs are subject to change without notice.

Application Fees Total - $95

ISU Graduate School - $65

ISU Department of Counseling - $30

Tuition and Course Fees

Program Fees:

Liability Insurance - $15/year

Program/Professional Fee - $807/fall and spring semesters

Additional costs include, but are not necessarily limited to: books/learning materials, graduation fees, and registration fees to attend professional conferences.

Scholarships

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling

The Department of Counseling, Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program was awarded a 5-year $1,000,000 Rehabilitation Training grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The grant includes a limited number of scholarships available to students, called scholars, for tuition and fees, stipends toward cost of attendance (i.e., books and supplies, etc.) and costs for attending professional conference or related professional development course. If awarded the scholarship, the scholar agrees to complete an internship at Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (IDVR) or State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, and work for a State VR Agency (e.g., IDVR) or other approved related-rehabilitation agency for two years upon graduation for every year of funding a scholar receives. For information, contact Project Director, Dr. Ngonidzashe (Ngoni) Mpofu at ngonidzashempofu@isu.edu or (208) 282-2413.

Western Region Graduate Program

The Department of Counseling is part of the Western Region Graduate Programs (WRGP). The WRGP is a consortium of states that agree to substantially discount out of state tuition for graduate students from these states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible for consideration. More information on the qualification requirements can be found on the WGRP page of Funding and Support.

To be considered for the WRGP tuition rate, students simply apply directly to the department of the enrolling institution and identify themselves as WICHE WRGP applicants. Contact information for each participating program is listed in the WRGP online directory. WRGP students must fulfill all the usual requirements of the department and institution concerned, and meet all admission deadlines.

Master Program Objectives

The general objective of the Master of Counseling (M.COUN.) degree is to prepare students to be professional counselors. The Department of Counseling faculty believes that the development of a strong professional identity, a rich knowledge base, and expertise in the skills of counseling are essential to functioning as a professional in each counseling setting.

The Master of Counseling degree is designed to be the strong foundation upon which graduates enter a lifetime career in the helping professions. This program prepares counselors to respond to the multitude of changes in society and to the ever-expanding counseling profession. In addition to knowledge and experience in the following eight common-core areas, graduates have specialized knowledge and skills as identified in the objectives of the Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling; School Counseling; and Student Affairs Counseling majors.

The Department of Counseling has curricular and professional objectives for each Master of Counseling student. Each of these objectives has specific outcome measures.

Curricular Objectives:

Students will have knowledge of Human Growth and Development in order to understand the nature and needs of persons at all developmental levels and in multicultural contexts.
Students will have knowledge of Social and Cultural Foundations to be effective in a multicultural and diverse society.
Students will be knowledgeable and skillful in Counseling and Consultation processes.
Students will be knowledgeable about group development, dynamics, counseling theory, group counseling methods, and group work approaches.
Students will be knowledgeable and understand career development and related factors.
Students will understand and be knowledgeable about individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation.
Students will be knowledgeable about various research methods and, statistical analysis, needs assessments and program evaluation.
Students will be knowledgeable about the profession of counseling including history, organizational structures, ethics, standards, and credentialing.

Student Professional Objectives:

In addition to the above curricular objectives, the Department of Counseling has program specific objectives. These include:

School Counseling students will obtain certification as school counselors.
Students in all majors (Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Student Affairs Counseling) will obtain the appropriate state licensure as professional counselors.