Professional School Counseling (SCOU), MS

Program Overview:

This entry level 60-hour Professional School Counseling degree prepares candidates in advanced knowledge and skills to become leaders and practitioners in the field of professional school counseling. Practice is given in utilizing current counseling principles in real-world settings through practicum and internship experiences. Candidates are equipped with strategies including cognitive, affective, behavioral or systematic interventions that address wellness, personal growth, crisis and mental health. This program will provide candidates with competencies as defined by CACREP, ASCA, and ACA aligning with the ASCA national model.

Professional school counselors provide comprehensive school counseling services at public and private educational institutions. These services are focused on the career, social/emotional, and academic development of students. Professional school counselors employ leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and systemic change to enhance learning for all individuals.

This degree can lead to professional credentialing as a Licensed Professional School Counselor and prepares for professional practice in K-12 school systems.

Students who complete the program are eligible to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) offered by the National Board for Certified counselors (NBCC) in order to qualify for National Certified counselor status. They are also eligible to become members of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

Admission Requirements for the MS in Professional School Counseling:

Admission to Harding University is determined on an individual basis with the following criteria considered: (1) academic preparation, (2) character, (3) educational interests and (4) academic potential. Effort is made to admit all students who qualify and who can benefit from the unique educational program and opportunities available at Harding irrespective of their religious faith, national origin, sex, race or color. When applying, students should be aware of the distinct mission of Harding University and be willing to commit themselves to upholding institutional values.

Applicants for the MS Professional School Counseling degree program must:

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or more, or 2.75 on the last 60 hours, attested by official transcript(s); OR an earned master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, attested by an official transcript.
2. Earn the required score on one of the following entrance exams:
   • PRAXIS II Examinations, earning at least the Arkansas cut-off score for licensure (Principles of Learning and Teaching and Specialty area),
   • Miller Analogies Test (MAT) with a minimum score of 385,
   • or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a minimum combined verbal and quantitative score of 286. When requesting the score from the Educational Testing Service please reference Harding University code 6267.
3. Abide by the University Code of Conduct. Counseling students must also abide by the Graduate Policies and Procedures and the Mental Health and Wellness Handbook.
4. Applicants holding a master’s degree will be evaluated individually to ensure CACREP master’s criteria is met.

Provisional admission for the MS Professional School Counseling program:

A student who does not fully meet the requirements listed above may receive provisional admission, with the approval of the counseling faculty, if he or she holds a baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation with a cumulative grade point average below 2.50 but not less than 2.34, attested by official transcript(s). Provisional status is removed when the student completes 12 graduate hours with at least a 3.0 grade point average, six of which must be in the academic area of concentration.

Application Procedure

1. Complete the online application.

2. Request official transcripts* be sent directly from previous institutions to MHW@harding.edu.

   *Note: Harding alumni and current students do not need to request Harding transcripts as they are on file.

3. In addition, applicants must submit

   1. three letters of reference that focus on the applicant’s academic and professional abilities

   2. documentation of Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunization

   3. a professional resume

   4. official test results from the MAT or GRE

4. Applicants must complete a personal interview with the professional counseling faculty. The interview will include a writing prompt and assessment of the candidate’s professional objectives, professional commitment, level of self-awareness, and compatibility with the counseling program.

Application Review and Selection of Candidates

Each applicant will be interviewed by the program area graduate faculty. This interview will determine the candidate’s professional objectives, professional commitment, and the compatibility of the program with his or her goals and interests. The applicant must complete an impromptu writing sample at the time of the interview.

The chair of Mental Health and Wellness or the director of each specific program may request additional information from the applicant prior to final approval for admittance to the program.

Other Program Requirements:

Upon acceptance into the program, students must consult with the director or assigned advisor of their program concerning the required course of study, register for classes online through Pipeline each term, and complete financial registration with the Business Office online.

Courses completed outside of Harding University will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In addition, if a student has completed courses that are outdated or do not provide the necessary content, students may have to repeat courses at the discretion of the program director.

Transfer and International Students:

Up to 9 hours of credit for coursework from other institutions accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation may be transferred if the institution is accredited by NCATE, TEAC, or a similar accrediting organization and the earned grade is a B or higher. All transfer hours are subject to the approval of the chair of Mental Health and Wellness and must be completed before a student’s last semester.

Students who (1) speak English as a second language, and have (2) not previously completed an undergraduate degree from an institution within the United States accredited by an agency nationally recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation must meet a minimum score on a nationally recognized test of English language proficiency such as the TOEFL or IELTS. 

The minimum scores acceptable for admission to the university are 79 on the TOEFL iBT or 6.0 on the IELTS. Scores must not be older than two years prior to the date of application to the university. Please note that individual programs may have more stringent minimum requirements.

Academic Standing Requirements

An average scholarship level of 3.00 is required in all course work. No grade below a C is acceptable for graduate credit (but will be used to calculate GPA), and only 6 semester hours of C credit may be counted. These must be balanced by 6 semester hours of A credit. Courses in which a grade of C or lower has been received may be repeated. If a student receives a grade of F, D, or a third C, the student is placed on academic probation.