Counseling FAQs

There are multiple reasons to apply for the UWRF school counseling program:

• CACREP accredited program.
• Department faculty have prior school counseling experience with knowledge of current issues facing students and school districts.
• All courses are designed with a focus on school counseling.
• Location on the border of Wisconsin/Minnesota allows for access to diverse practicum and internship sites.
• Strong reputation with area partners and school districts.

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) outlines the best practices for counseling training programs. These programs are reviewed on a yearly basis, with changes implemented to continue promoting best practices within each program.

Program applications must be submitted by October 1 for spring admission and February 1 for fall admission. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Visit our Future Students page to see what is needed for a complete application.

You will earn a Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) degree. Completion of all program requirements includes passing your coursework, comprehensive examination, practicum and internship.

Students beginning the program during or after fall 2022 will need 60 credit hours to graduate.

No. Credits earned from specific courses will be increased to accommodate the new requirement. These courses include practicum (four credits), internship (four credits each), COUN 798: Independent Study/small group research (two credits) and elective courses (two credits each).

To qualify for financial aid, a student must be enrolled in a minimum of four credits. By increasing the credits in practicum and internship, students will be able to take these courses at a pace more advantageous for their unique circumstances while still qualifying for financial aid.

Graduating from a CACREP accredited school counseling program is advantageous for school counselors seeking licensure and finding employment following the end of their master's programs. In addition, the UWRF school counseling program is focused on best practices and training as outlined by the CACREP standards.

Full-time attendance at the graduate level is considered nine credits or more, usually the equivalent of three classes. After fall 2022, the credits for the following courses will increase to accommodate the shift to a 60-credit hour program:

• Practicum (4 credits)
• Internship (4 credits each)
• COUN 798: Independent Study (2 credits)
• Elective courses (2 credits each)

With the increases in credits, it is likely that students will be taking more than nine credits during a semester. Contact your adviser with any questions or concerns regarding the number of credits being taken each semester.

No. There is currently no requirement in Minnesota or Wisconsin to complete the Praxis exam for license. However, the Counseling program strongly encourages students to take the exam to enhance license portability between states, and while knowledge of course content is still current.

We recommend waiting to take the exam until all core coursework is completed. We also recommend for students to have started an internship before taking the test. Students should register for their preferred test date well in advance.

Find more information about the Praxis exam on our Current Students page.

Following complete of all coursework, students will be required to take the Counseling Program Comprehensive Exam. This exam draws upon knowledge from all courses within the counseling program and assesses the readiness of students to begin their required counseling internships.

Your academic adviser is assigned to you when you are admitted into the program. The name and contact information for your adviser is on your letter of acceptance and provided at the new student orientation.

Please visit University Parking for more information. Different street parking options are available to students who do not wish to utilize Pay Lot parking.

Textbooks may be purchased from any vendor of choice. The estimate total cost for required texts to the complete program is between $800-$1,000.

You can find textbook requirements on the syllabus about one week ahead of the start of class. Contact your course instructor with questions about textbooks.

No.

Upon completion of the program, individuals will be eligible to obtain the Wisconsin or Minnesota state licensure for school counseling. For more details, click here.

You can check with each state's department of education for specific license requirements.

The UWRF counseling program values the input and involvement of its students. Multiple opportunities exist for students to become more involved with the program such as:

• Graduate Assistantships
• MSCA Mentors Presentations
• WSCA Presentations
• Student Group Leadership/Participation
   

Please visit the following links regarding information on student involvement within the school counseling Program:

• School Counseling Student Association
• Counseling Professional Organizations

UWRF offers many support services for students, included in tuition. A comprehensive list of services and links to contact information can be found here.

• Counseling DPI Continuous Review Process - 2024
• Program Improvement Plan - Program Audit Review
• 2023-24 Accomplishments Magazine

Students will meet with their advisers to complete a customized degree plan which will outline when classes should be taken. Degree plans must be completed within the first semester of coursework. COUN 610: Introduction to School Counseling is a prerequisite to all core coursework and must be taken during your first semester in the program.

Courses occur Monday through Thursday, typically from 4:30-7:15 p.m., fall and spring semesters. Summer and J-Term course offerings vary depending on the term.

Yes. One benefit of our program is that it allows students to choose their own pace. The program must be completed within seven years, so students often take classes part time. We recommend students take no more than nine credits (full time) in any semester. Talk with your adviser to map out your degree plan.

Occasionally classes are offered online or in a hybrid format (part online, part in-person). Due to the nature of counseling being a person-oriented, interactive profession, we prefer in-person classes to facilitate optimal learning and skill development.

In-person classes are conducted in the classrooms with a blend of lecture, small group and discussion-based lessons. Hybrid courses are taught with a blend of online discussions and lectures with skills practiced within classroom and lab settings. 

Contact your instructor with your specific concerns. They will work with you and the Division of Technology Services (DoTS) for options and/or financial aid to support your online needs. Stay in contact with your adviser regarding any additional questions or concerns.

UWRF currently uses Canvas as their online learning platform for all courses. Additionally, video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Webex and Microsoft Teams may be used for some class meetings.

Registration is done by logging into eSIS using your student ID and password. Once logged in, click on "enroll" from the homepage and select the correct semester. From there, select the department that offers your desired course. A list of courses will appear and you can choose the course you wish to take.

Yes. Students may take one three-credit course (COUN 610: Introduction to School Counseling) without being officially admitted to the program. A short "Non-Candidate for Degree" application is required. Speak with the department or program chair to find out more.

The UWRF school counseling program offers courses in research where students learn the basics behind conducting field-based research and then apply this knowledge to complete an independent research project, utilizing student data from an existing school district.

Yes, beginning in fall 2022, individual liability insurance is required. Options for coverage will be discussed prior to practicum and internship. Talk with your adviser about options that will work best for you.

The practicum is completed during the second or third semester in the program and after COUN 610. Talk with your adviser about when you should take the practicum.

The internship may be completed after successfully passing all core counseling courses, passing the comprehensive examination and attending a mandatory pre-internship meeting. Students may complete the three internships in one, two or three semesters. Talk with your adviser about your degree plan.

No. Students must find their own field placement sites within two hours of UWRF. Program Practicum and Internship Coordinators assist you in this process by providing consultation, resources and contacts. Attending the mandatory pre-practicum and pre-internship meetings will provide the necessary information to find placement sites.

For more information on practicum and internship experiences, please visit the Current Students page. 

UWRF offers several scholarships for counseling program students. Also, professional organizations like the Wisconsin School Counselor Association (WSCA) offer scholarships for graduate students. Check out the Minnesota School Counselors Association (MSCA) or the American School Counselors Association (ASCA) for other options.

Yes. Graduate assistant positions are available to students. They require 8-12 hours of work per week. Assistantships involve many projects that support the program and students, including website editing, data management, and research for the program. Openings are posted on the Counseling listserv and on Facebook.

Visit the Financial Aid Office for more information. Generally, you will need to complete a FAFSA.

First, make sure to complete your FAFSA. Financial aid applications for J-term and summer courses can be found under the following links. Applications are processed manually, with additional financial aid determined by the number of credits being taken and the amount of financial aid remaining for the academic year. For summer courses, a minimum of four credits must be taken in order to qualify.

• J-term Financial Aid Application
• Summer Financial Aid Application