CHDS

310 White Hall

Kent State University

P.O. Box 5190

Kent State University

Kent, Ohio 442420-0001

Last Updated:

October 2005

Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective Master's Students

Question: When can I apply for the master's degree program?

• Answer: The CHDS master's programs holds admissions three times a year. The deadline for fall admissions is June 1st, the deadline for spring admissions is October 1st, and the deadline for summer admissions is March 1st.

Question: What materials are needed to be turned in by the deadline?

• Answer: (1) completed application packet, (2) all transcripts, (3) two letters of recommendation

Question: I know that there is an interview for admissions, when is that?

• Answer: Typically within a week of the admissions deadline, our secretary will call you to set up an appointment to come into our department and have a 1/2 hour interview with a faculty member. The faculty would like to complete these interviews within three weeks of the admissions deadline.

Question: Is the master's programs in CHDS accredited?

• Answer: YES! The Community Counseling and School Counseling programs are both accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Feel free to visit their website located at www.cacrep.org

Question: Is the GRE requited for admissions?

• Answer: NO!

Question: What if I have a felony or any other offense (other than a speeding ticket)? Will that effect me in the program?

• Answer: YES! During the program, you are required to be covered by professional liability insurance (during practica and internship). you might have trouble obtaining professional liability insurance if you have such offenses. Also, you may not be able to become licensed as a counselor with such offenses.

Question: Who do I contact regarding admissions to the master's program?

• Answer: Dr. Jason McGlothlin, jmcgloth@kent.edu  330-672-0716.

Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective CHDS Doctoral Students

Question: When can I apply for the doctoral program?

• Answer: The CHDS doctoral program has admissions once per a year. The deadline for admissions is February 1st.

Question: What materials are needed to be turned in by the deadline?

• Answer: (1) the application form with supplemental CHDS forms, (2) a writing sample, (3) Graduate Record Examination (GRE), (4) undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and (5) three letters of recommendation.

Question: I know that there is an interview for admissions, what does that consist of?

• Answer: Applicants will complete an individual interview with the CHDS Doctoral Program Coordinator (Dr. John West). In addition, they will have a group interview with the CHDS doctoral faculty.

Question: Is the CHDS doctoral program accredited?

• Answer: YES! the CHDS doctoral Program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Feel free to visit their website located at www.cacrep.org

Question: Is the GRE requited for admissions?

• Answer: YES!

Question: What if I have a felony or any other offense (other than a speeding ticket)? Will that effect me in the program?

• Answer: YES! During the program, you are required to be covered by professional liability insurance (during practica and internship). you might have trouble obtaining professional liability insurance if you have such offenses. Also, you may not be able to become licensed as a counselor with such offenses.

Question: Who do I contact regarding admissions to the doctoral program?

• Answer: Dr. John West, jwest@kent.edu 330-672-0713.

Frequently Asked Questions by Current Community Counseling Students

Question: How can I register for practica?

• Answer: Only your advisor can sign you up for practicum. Once you are signed up, a department secretary will register you for the course (note - this may be some time after you actually sign up - don't worry, you will get in if you are signed up). It is important to come early in the semester before you take practica to sign up because the classes get filled up quickly.

Question: How much time is needed for practica?

• Answer: Practica is a time intensive course. There is one hour of weekly supervision, a practica class which includes group supervision and you have to make time for clients to actually see you. The CHDS faculty highly recommend that you make yourself available to see clients and are in the CHDC a minimum of 10-12 hours each week outside of supervision and class. This will assist you in receiving you individual and group hours.

Question: Can internship be done over one semester?

• Answer: The CHDS faculty strongly recommend not completing internship over one semester. The reason for this is one of education, experience, and supervision. First, there is an internship class which includes both content and group supervision - if done in one semester, you would essentially receive half of this education. Second, would you want to go to a surgeon with only half of their educational experience? NO! The same principle applies for counselors - you want as much supervised experience as possible. Lastly, if you complete internship over one semester you must receive two hours of weekly individual supervision by your site supervisor compared to one hour (if done over two semesters). Many supervisors do not have enough time to accommodate such a request. The CHDS faculty do not endorse such a practice.

Question: What about grades? What GPA do I have to maintain in the program?

• Answer: Your grades are evaluated by both KSU and the licensure board. So for KSU, you can earn up to eight credit hours of "C" and remain in the program. However, the licensure board does not accept any coursework lower than an earned "B". So, to be licensed, you need to earn all "A's" and "B's".

Question: What if I want to be dually licensed as a Community Counselor and a School Counselor?

• Answer: First complete your degree. Then apply to the Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) and take only those courses you need to the other licensure. You CANNOT take complete the requirements for both licenses at the same time.

Question: When do I need to apply for internship?

• Answer: The community counseling internship is offered three times a year. A copy of the Internship Eligibility Form, signed and dated by both you and your CHDS faculty advisor, along with the three necessary accompanying materials (i.e., current academic transcript, Student Profile, and Professional Liability Insurance Policy), are due to the CHDS Community Counseling Internship Coordinator by June 15^th if starting Fall semester; November 15^th if starting Spring semester; or by April 15^th if starting Summer semester.

Frequently Asked Questions by Current School Counseling Students

Question: How can I register for practica?

• Answer: Only your advisor can sign you up for practicum. Once you are signed up, a department secretary will register you for the course (note - this may be some time after you actually sign up - don't worry, you will get in if you are signed up). It is important to come early in the semester before you take practica to sign up because the classes get filled up quickly.

• A copy of the Clinical Experience Eligibility Form, signed and dated by both you and your CHDS faculty advisor, along with the three necessary accompanying documents (i.e., current academic transcript, Student Profile, and Professional Liability Insurance Policy), are due to the CHDS School Counseling Practicum and Internship Coordinator by April 1^st if starting Fall Semester or November 1^st if starting Spring Semester.. 

Question: How much time is needed for practica?

• Answer: Practica is a time intensive course. There is one hour of weekly supervision by your onsite supervisor, one hour of weekly supervision by your university supervisor, a practica class which includes group supervision and you have to make time for clients to actually see you. The CHDS faculty highly recommend that you make yourself available to see clients and are at the schools a minimum of 20 hours each week outside of supervision and class. This will assist you in receiving you individual and group hours.

Question: Can internship be done over one semester?

• Answer: The CHDS faculty strongly recommend not completing internship over one semester. The reason for this is one of education, experience, and supervision. First, there is an internship class which includes both content and group supervision - if done in one semester, you would essentially receive half of this education. Second, would you want to go to a surgeon with only half of their educational experience? NO! The same principle applies for counselors - you want as much supervised experience as possible. Lastly, if you complete internship over one semester you must receive two hours of weekly individual supervision by your site supervisor compared to one hour (if done over two semesters). Many supervisors do not have enough time to accommodate such a request. The CHDS faculty do not endorse such a practice.

Question: What about grades? What GPA do I have to maintain in the program?

• Answer: Your grades are evaluated by both KSU and the licensure board. So for KSU, you can earn up to eight credit hours of "C" and remain in the program. However, the licensure board does not accept any coursework lower than an earned "B". So, to be licensed, you need to earn all "A's" and "B's".

Question: What if I want to be dually licensed as a Community Counselor and a School Counselor?

• Answer: First complete your degree. Then apply to the Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) and take only those courses you need to the other licensure. You CANNOT take complete the requirements for both licenses at the same time.

Question: When do I need to apply for internship?

• Answer: See the School Counseling practicum and Internship Manual located in the "downloads" page on this website.