Current Students

Currently enrolled in our graduate counseling program? Consider this your one stop shop for all the resources you may need while working towards your degree. Explore below to find handbooks, forms, practicum and internship documents, course information, details about scholarship opportunities and more! 
   

A female student sits in a chair by the window in the library

 

Icon for Grants
Scholarships and Funding
Learn about our scholarship opportunities and options for grants, reciprocity and more.
Icon of a leader with a star
School Counseling Student Association
As an enrolled student, you're a member of our student group. Come join us!
Icon of a question and answer speech bubble
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about our program? Find all the answers here!
Icon of a magnifying glass
Schedule Lookup
Use this link to view class schedule information and details.
Icon for Course Reservations
Join our Listserv
Join our listserv to stay up-to-date on all things counseling at UWRF!
Icon of three people with a question mark
About Us
Experienced faculty and small class sizes create a supportive learning environment.

 

The counseling program meets state standards for certification and the curriculum includes a carefully constructed blend of in-person, online and hybrid-style courses. It also adheres to the profession's accepted and established practices for training school counselors.

Fall Semester

 Course Name
COUN 610Introduction to School Counseling
COUN 614Practicum
COUN 620Career Counseling
COUN 732Group Counseling
COUN 770Comprehensive School Counseling Programming
COUN 753Counseling Theory and Skills
COUN 771
COUN 772
COUN 773
Internship
SPSY 795Research and Program Evaluation
SPED 530Exceptional Child
COUN 798Independent Study


Spring Semester

 Course Name
COUN 610Introduction to School Counseling
COUN 612Lifespan Human Development
COUN 614Practicum
COUN 615Cultural & Ethical Foundations
SPSY 622School Behavior Assessment and Intervention
COUN 732Group Counseling
COUN 771
COUN 772
COUN 773
Internship
SPED 530Exceptional Child
COUN 798Independent Study


Summer Session

*Note: 1-2-credit COUN 789 electives are offered in summer and J-term sessions.

COUN 612Lifespan Human Development (not always offered in summer- check with adviser)
SPSY 795Research and Program Evaluation
SPED 530Exceptional Child
COUN 700
COUN 701
COUN 702

Higher Education Administration Elective Track

Part 1 and Part 3 in summer term; Part 2 in J-term

COUN 717
COUN 718
COUN 719

Substance Use Disorder Elective Track

Part 1 and Part 3 in summer term; Part 2 in J-term

Our student handbook is designed as a helpful guide for counseling students. The handbook labeled with the year you started taking courses as an admitted student is your designated handbook.


Student Evaluations:

You can expect to spend approximately $800-$1000 on textbooks throughout the program. Prices vary depending on preferences (hard copies versus electronic copies, etc.). Some students rent books and purchase others that are used in multiple courses.

Where do I purchase or rent my books?
Amazon and Chegg are popular options but you can find many options, including textbooks.com, Campus Book Rentals, Cengage, ecampus, etc. Choose the option that works best for you!

When should I purchase/rent my books?
You should plan to purchase and/or rent your books prior to your first planned course meeting.

How will I know what books I need?
Professors will email you a list of required textbooks at least one week prior to classes starting.

Should I buy or rent?
This is up to you! Required textbooks are chose with care and with an intention to serve as professional resources beyond graduation.

 

Practicum is a field experience for counseling students in their second or third semesters of the program. You'll spend 100 hours over the course of the semester working with licensed counselors in authentic settings to practice counseling skills. Specifically, you'll be spending 3-5 hours per week in the schools during the school day and you'll be attending a weekly seminar from 4-8 p.m. Speak with your adviser to learn more about how this course fits into your degree plan. 

Questions about practicum experiences (COUN 614: Practicum) may be directed to the Caroline Baker, practicum coordinator at 715-425-3237 or caroline.baker@uwrf.edu.

A portfolio is required from every student in the counseling program. In each counseling classes, you'll prepare several standards for review, progressively completing the final portfolio due during your internship course. You must use the template below, which indicates required artifacts for each standard. Beginning in COUN 610, you'll create a space in OneDrive to manage your portfolio and will submit links to your site to your instructors. More detailed information will be shared in your classes. Questions? Contact your adviser!

  • 2024 Portfolio Template: Students beginning in spring 2024 should use this template. 
  • Portfolio Template: Students entering the program prior to spring 2024 may continue to use this template or switch to the new 2024 template.
  • Rubric: This will be used to evaluate your portfolio throughout the program. Make sure to use the feedback you receive to make revisions prior to the final submission during your internship.
  • OneDrive Instructions: Use these instructions to create and submit your portfolio.

 

The Praxis exam is required by many states when you apply for an educator license. We strongly encourage students to take the exam during your internship seminar. However, the Praxis is not required to graduate from the program and is not currently required for a Minnesota or Wisconsin license (unless you leave Wisconsin and return at a later time to apply for a new license).

Visit Licensure Requirements (ets.org) to find more information about the Praxis exam, including links to a study guide and practice test. 


When should I take the exam? We recommend you wait to take the exam until you have completed all the core courses and have some practical experience. The exam includes sections that are based on academic learning and practical counseling skills that are definitely enhanced in your practicum experience. While exam dates are available several times per year and you may schedule your exam on any of these dates, the goal of the program is to assist you in acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to take the exam at the appropriate time in your program and pass it!

What can I do to prepare? Check out the ETS website for information, including study guides and practice tests. Don't be surprised - be prepared!

What is a passing score? A passing score is 159 (Test Code 5422). 

Where should I have more scores sent? Please use code 1918-UNIV WI-RIVER FALLS-EDUCATION when selection which institution to have scores sent to. 

Please note: This exam does not take the place of the comprehensive exam.

Schoolcounselor.com provides resources for aspiring school counselors. Visit schoolcounselor.com/professional-development/interview-questions/ to view a list of questions designed to prepare you for interviews.


 

Counseling

Suelle Micallef Marmara
231 Wyman Education Building
410 S. 3rd St.
River Falls, WI 54022

suelle.micallefmarmara@uwrf.edu

715-425-4034