University of Wisconsin - Stout

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How long does it take to complete the program?

Full time students can complete the Mental Health Counseling program in four semesters plus one or two summer sessions.


Can I do the program on a part-time basis?

It is not unusual for a number of our students to be part-time. Students can progress through the program at their own pace, keeping in mind the University seven-year limit policy. Program planning and course sequencing is important and should be discussed with the program director. While there are some evening and weekend classes available, flexibility will be needed to take all the necessary coursework.

 

Do I have to take all classes at Stout?

Credits earned at another graduate school can be transferred and applied to the program at Stout. Transfer credits have to be approved by the program director and should be appropriate to a counseling program. See the Graduate Bulletin for specific information on transfer credits.


What does the internship experience involve?

The internship is done during the last several semesters of the program. It entails 900 hours of supervised experience at one or several counseling agencies. Students generally work at their sites for approximately 20-30 hours per week over the course of a semester, and receive training in counseling and counseling related experiences. Some sites prefer to have students for longer periods of time with fewer hours per week. We do have a number of excellent sites in the immediate area we refer students to for internship placement. If the student wishes to work outside of the Menomonie -- Eau Claire -- Chippewa Falls area, they may need to make their own arrangements and receive faculty approval. An internship brochure is available to students, listing and describing available sites in the surrounding area.

 

Do I have to do a master's thesis?

You will have the choice of doing a master's thesis or taking a comprehensive examiniation near the end of the program.

 

Will I receive licensure as a counselor as a result of completing this degree?

Completing a Master's degree in a counseling program such as the Mental Health Counseling Program at UW-Stout is only one step toward licensure. To obtain the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) status in Wisconsin, you will need to obtain 3,000 hours of post-masters supervised work experience in the counseling field in not less than two years, and take the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) test. For the national Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) credential, you need 60 credits of graduate coursework, two years of supervised clinical practice, and a passing score on the Examination of Clinical Counseling Practice (ECCP). These issues will be discussed more thoroughly during the applicant's interview and in classes.

 


What is entailed in the admission process for the Mental Health Counseling Program?

Application deadlines are February 1 for Summer and Fall admissions and October 1 for Spring admissions. To apply for admission you will need to submit both to the Graduate School and to the Mental Health Counseling Program.

The Applications for Admission/Enrollment form for the Graduate School are available here. Criteria for admission to the Graduate School is specified in the Graduate Bulletin. The application for the Mental Health Counseling program can be obtained from the Graduate School or the program secretary at 715/232-1309 or here. It will include the application form, asking for written information about background and experience, as well as two letter of reference forms for you to supply to those persons who can best represent your candidacy for admission (most often, past professors and/or employers/supervisors).

Shortly after the admissions deadline, the Mental Health Counseling faculty will review your application materials. Decisions will be made at that point as to which applicants will be invited for interviews. Interviews will be done in a group format. For those applying for Fall 2008, the interview will be held on Friday, February 22, 2008 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Written materials, letters of recommendation, transcripts and the interview process will all be used to make decisions regarding admission to the program.

We often receive more applications than we can admit to the program; therefore, admission is competitive. Criteria used to make decisions include: faculty's judgement of applicant's ability to do graduate work, quality and amount of work and/or volunteer experiences in the counseling or helping professions field, quality of writing, communication skills, and quality of references.

Candidates are notified of their status as soon as possible once the interview process is completed.

 

For answers to questions not addressed here, contact the program director at the address, telephone, or e-mail address listed on the home page.