ISU Boise Center Counseling Program To Add Faculty, Admit Students Yearly

Boise - Beginning this fall, the counseling program at the Idaho State University Boise Center will begin admitting three-year cohorts each year. Previously, students were admitted only every three years for the three-year program. The counseling program includes classroom and cl

and the entire program is based in Boise. "Without advertising, the yearly cohort has had 50 inquiries from people all over the Treasure Valley and as far away as Sun Valley," said Judith Crews, assistant professor at the Boise Center. "The ongoing need for counselors is clear."

Students may elect to study one of two disciplines in the counseling program: marriage and family or mental health. Marriage and family is one of the fastest growing mental health disciplines, according to the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Prospective students are required to have bachelor's degrees and at least a 3.0 undergraduate grade point average, and will need to have taken the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Previous social work or psychology is advantageous but not necessary.

"The commitment is two or three evenings a week during the regular semester and a few days during the summer months," said Crews. "This is a good opportunity for people who would like to change careers," she continued. "Students in our current cohort include a farmer, a former social worker, a massage therapist, and two women who just had children and are still able to participate in the program. In addition, all the students are able to continue their full-time employment." For ISU to meet the increased need for the counseling program, an additional faculty member will be hired for the Boise Center.

"The search is in progress and we hope to have someone in place by fall," said Crews. For more information about the Boise Center program, call Crews at 685-6754 or the department office in Pocatello, (800) 477-4781. The deadline for applications for the Fall 2003 cohort is July 15.