Counseling (COUN), EdS

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Mental Health and Wellness Mission Statement:

The mission of Harding’s Mental Health and Wellness 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 current, practical, and ethical education consistent with Harding’s Christian foundations equipping them to be effective counselors capable of facilitating mental health growth and development.

Admission Requirements for the Ed.S. in Counseling:

Applicants for the Ed.S. must:

1. Hold a master’s degree in a counseling-related field with at least 60 hours of approved graduate credits. Leveling hours may be required if master’s or equivalent courses total less than 60 hours or do not meet CACREP core requirements.
2. Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 on all graduate work.
3. Successfully complete the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) with a minimum score of 385 or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a combined verbal and quantitative minimum score of 286.
4. 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.

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. 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 specialist 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.

Written comprehensive exams are required for all education specialist programs.

International Students:

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.

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 the Cannon-Clary College of Education and are listed in that section . Mental Health and Wellness students should refer to their student handbook for program requirements.