Program of Study

During orientation, students must meet with their advisor virtually and develop a program plan. Students will complete an Individual Student Program Plan, which includes a list of required core counseling courses, specialization courses for Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling, and elective courses. Students specializing in either Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling will have the option to complete the program part-time; this will not be available to dual-track students. The program plan should be developed in collaboration with the program advisor and must be approved by the advisor before the start of the fall semester.

Modifying the Program Plan

Changes can be made to the program plan as necessary. These changes must be described in writing, approved by the advisor, and updated within the formal program plan. The program plan is a document for planning, not a record of completed activities. Once a student has received a grade for a course, the student can no longer add or take off that course from their program plan.

Modifying a Dual-Track Program Plan

Students are strongly encouraged to declare dual-track plans early if they wish to focus on dual specialization. Students wishing to add dual track must do so before their first fall semester ends. Students who wish to withdraw from the dual track and focus on one pathway must do so by the end of their first spring semester. Changing track plans once a student has started the program could impact graduation timelines.

Modifying a Program Plan: Switching Specialty Focus

Similar to dual track plans, if a student wishes to switch specialization, they must do so before the first add/drop course date established by the registrar’s office during the first fall semester as students will need to ensure they have the appropriate introduction course completed prior to practicum. Please note that a request to change specialty areas does not guarantee the request will be granted. Additionally, changing track plans once a student has started the program could impact graduation timelines.

Modifying a Program Plan: To Support Degree Completion via Advising

Due to the Graduate School policy, the dual specialization pathway does not have a part-time enrollment option, as a part-time dual-track pathway would extend beyond the five-year degree completion window. However, all students can have up to five years to complete the degree, no matter the pathway or specialization. When circumstances prevent a student from completing coursework outlined in our program of study offerings, students can support degree completion through advising. Students, including dual-track students, can work with their advisors to adjust their program of study due to extenuating circumstances.