Counseling Dual Degree: Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Master of Arts in School Counseling

Verl Pope, Ed.D., Department Chair and Graduate Program Director

Purpose

The Dual Degree in Counseling combines both a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Master of Arts in School Counseling, both CACREP accredited programs.  A combination of these degrees will prepare students to be eligible for licensure as clinical mental health counselors and certification as school counselors.

Contact Information

Department of Counseling, Social Work, and Leadership - MEP 203
Counseling, Social Work, and Leadership Graduate Office - MEP 295
counselored@nku.edu; (859) 572-7892

Admission Requirements

Individuals applying must meet all requirements for admission to graduate study at Northern Kentucky University as defined by the Graduate Catalog at the time of application in addition to the following:

To be eligible for admission applicants must have the following qualifications:

• A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an overall minimum 2.75 undergraduate grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
• Undergraduate coursework must contain 48 semester credits (or equivalent in quarter hours) in the liberal arts. 
• Baccalaureate degree must show completion of a statistics course with a grade of C- or higher.

Application Process:

1. Submit an online application and application fee to the Office of Graduate Education.
2. Submit official transcripts of undergraduate and any graduate coursework sent directly from all institutions of higher education previously attended.
3. Submit official scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). This requirement will be waived for those individuals who have already completed a master’s degree.
4. Submit the supplemental application including a 500-700 word essay demonstrating evidence of one’s potential to work effectively with people, reasons for wanting to become a professional counselor, any relevant work or volunteer experiences, and examples of important events that have influenced one’s career goals. Supplemental application is available on the Office of Graduate Education website. 
5. Three recommendations from people (former instructors, supervisors, colleagues, etc.) who are qualified to evaluate academic and professional potential in the field of counseling. These must be submitted on counseling recommendation form.  Recommendations available on the Office of Graduate Education website.
6. Submit a professional resume tailored to educational goals, including educational background, employment history, awards, and accomplishments.
7. A criminal background check (state and federal) is required for admission to the program. For individuals currently employed in the public schools, a copy of their teaching certificate may be submitted in lieu of the background check.  Please contact the program at counselored@nku.edu in order to obtain information on getting your background check completed.  Any costs associated with background check are the responsibility of the applicant.
8. Successful completion of an interview with Counseling Program faculty and a positive recommendation from the admission’s committee for admission to the program, to ensure the candidate possesses the interpersonal characteristics and personal dispositions to uphold ethical standards of the counseling profession.