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Counseling, M.S.

NLU’s CACREP-accredited Counseling program prepares students to become licensed professional counselors, certified school counselors in the State of Illinois or both.

The Community Counseling option coursework meets the educational standards for licensure in Illinois at both the LPC and LCPC levels. It also meets the educational requirements for certification as a Board-eligible National Certified Counselor. The program prepares students to sit for the National Counselor Exam and Licensed Professional Counselor license examination in Illinois.

Applicants interested in school counseling who do not already have a teaching certificate should choose the “School Counseling for those without a Teaching Certificate” option and those with a teaching certificate should choose the “School Counseling for those with a Teaching Certificate” option. Neither option leads to a teaching certificate.

Both School Counseling options prepare students for the Type 73 School Service Professional (School Counseling) certification. Students must pass the Content Exam #181 (school counselor) to earn the certificate.

In addition to the College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Admissions Requirements, applicants must:

  • Submit the results of the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal
  • Submit three letters of recommendation
  • Complete an admission interview with a faculty member
  • Pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) if they are planning to complete the School Counseling option. The results are valid for ten years. The TAP cannot be taken more than five times.
  • Submit a written response to questions provided by the Office of Admissions

This degree requires:

  • 51–58 SH
  • Only courses from CACREP accredited universities may be accepted for transfer into the Counseling degrees
  • A grade of “B” or better in all coursework
  • A minimum 100 hour practicum
  • A minimum 600 hour internship
  • Completion of one of two options—Community Counseling OR School Counseling (additional courses are required for those without a teaching certificate who choose the School Counseling option)

Community Counseling Option - 51 SH

HSC501Fundamentals of Counseling
HSC510Theories of Counseling
HSC511Professional Practice and Ethics in Human Services
HSC512Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling
LAP506Advanced Human Development
HSC505Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
HSC506Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Family Therapy
HSC503Counseling and Human Development in a Multicultural Society
LAP501Introduction to Psychological Assessment
HSC504Clinical Techniques of Counseling
HSC514Counseling for Career Development
HSM508Research and Evaluation Methodology
HSS534Perspectives on Substance Abuse Counseling
HSC524Introduction to Community Counseling
HSC533Counseling Practicum
HSC581Internship I
HSC582Internship II

School Counseling (for those with a Teaching Certificate) - 51 SH

HSC501Fundamentals of Counseling
HSC510Theories of Counseling
HSC511Professional Practice and Ethics in Human Services
HSC512Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling
LAP506Advanced Human Development
HSC505Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
HSC506Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Family Therapy
HSC503Counseling and Human Development in a Multicultural Society
LAP501Introduction to Psychological Assessment
HSC504Clinical Techniques of Counseling
HSC514Counseling for Career Development
HSM508Research and Evaluation Methodology
HSS534Perspectives on Substance Abuse Counseling
HSC534School Counseling: Theory, Issues and Practice
HSC533Counseling Practicum
HSC581Internship I
HSC582Internship II

School Counseling (for those without a Teaching Certificate) - 58 SH

HSC501Fundamentals of Counseling
HSC510Theories of Counseling
HSC511Professional Practice and Ethics in Human Services
HSC512Theories and Techniques of Group Counseling
LAP506Advanced Human Development
HSC505Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
HSC506Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Family Therapy
HSC503Counseling and Human Development in a Multicultural Society
LAP501Introduction to Psychological Assessment
HSC504Clinical Techniques of Counseling
HSC514Counseling for Career Development
HSM508Research and Evaluation Methodology
HSS534Perspectives on Substance Abuse Counseling
HSC534School Counseling: Theory, Issues and Practice
HSC533Counseling Practicum
HSC581Internship I
HSC582Internship II
EPS539Foundations of Behavioral Support
SPE500Introduction to Exceptional Children and Adolescents/Special Education
EPS509Structure and Organization of the Educational System for School Counselors

For more information about this program, visit http://www.nl.edu/academics/cas/humanservices/handbooks.cfm.