Professional School Counseling (MS)

Return to: Cannon-Clary College of Education

Professional Counseling Mission Statement:

The mission of Harding's Professional Counseling: Clinical and School Program is to prepare counselors to provide caring, compassionate and competent counseling services in a variety of settings to a diverse population. To that end, students will be provided with a current, practical, and ethical education consistent with Harding's Christian foundations equipping them to be effective counselors capable of facilitating health change, growth and development.

Program Overview:

This entry level 48-hour Professional School Counseling degree in the Professional Counseling Program is designed as a practical program preparing professionals to become competent professional school counselors. 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 systemic interventions that address wellness, personal growth, and crises. This base will provide candidates with competencies (as defined by CACREP, ACA and ASCA) designed to positively impact a variety of people across K-12.

Courses meet current requirements for K-12 licensure/practice for school counseling in public or private schools, including higher education, as approved by the Arkansas Department of Education.

NOTE: Licensure as a Professional School Counselor in some states (excluding Arkansas) requires teacher licensure in addition to this degree.

Master of Science Degrees

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science Degree Programs

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 Master of Science degree program must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with 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 a regionally accredited college or university, attested by an official transcript.
2. Earn the required score on either the GRE or MAT, or hold a current teaching license.

• GRE general exam, minimum score of 900 (Quantitative and Verbal combined)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT), minimum score of 380

Application Procedure:

1. An application form for admission may be obtained online at www.harding.edu/gradcounseling or by contacting the program, Box 12254, Searcy, AR 72149; email gradcounseling@harding.edu; or phone 501-279-4500.
2. Applications must be accompanied by a $40 application fee which is not refundable and will not apply against the general registration fee if the applicant enrolls.
3. Applications must provide satisfactory references from three individuals attesting to the applicant’s professional or academic performance, including one related to professional ability in the degree area to which the student is applying.
4. Professional Counseling 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.
5. Professional Counseling applicants must have on file a signed copy of the Limitations of Supervision Statement of Understanding.

 Provisional Admission:

A student who does not fully meet the requirements listed above may receive provisional admission, with the approval of counseling faculty, if he or she:

1. Holds a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative grade point average below 2.50 but not less than 2.35, attested by an official transcript. Provisional status is removed when the student completes 12 graduate level hours with at least a 3.0 grade point average, six of which must be in the academic area of concentration.

Other Program Requirements:

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

Leveling courses, if required, will not be included within the semester hour requirements for the Master of Science degree programs.

All requirements of the program must be completed within eight years from the time of acceptance into the program. Course work taken more than eight years before graduation will not be accepted.

Admission to the Professional Counseling Program does not guarantee retention.

At least one semester before the initial practicum semester in the Professional School Counseling Program, request for admission to field placement must be made by filing the required application forms with the director of field experiences in Professional Counseling. Applications must be submitted by week 9 of the term preceding field placement.

Transfer and International Students:

Correspondence credit will not apply toward the master’s degree. Students may transfer semester hours from other accredited graduate schools, subject to the approval of the chair of graduate studies in education. Counseling students may transfer a maximum of 9 semester hours in which they have a grade of “B” or higher. All coursework to be transferred 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 accredited American college or university must meet a minimum score on a nationally recognized test of English language proficiency such as the TOEFL or IELTS. However, in lieu of these exam, professional programs in the health sciences may assess such students with an interview and/or a writing exam.

Minimum TOEFL scores acceptable for admission to the university are 550 (paper-based test), 213 (computer-based test), or 79 (Internet-based test). The minimum IELTS score is 6.0. 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:

These requirements are common to all programs in education and are listed in the Cannon-Clary College of Education section. Professional Counseling students should refer to their student handbook for program requirements.