A student proposing to major in any of the degree programs in the department or to seek certification through the department must be fully admitted as an HPC student or, in exceptional circumstances, have received approval by the HPC department chair prior to taking any course. A separate departmental questionnaire must be completed as part of the application process.
Back to Top2. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
The HPC faculty expects students to demonstrate a commitment to: (a) Gaining the necessary knowledge as identified in program objectives, (b) Understanding and following appropriate ethical standards, (c) Developing facilitative interpersonal skills, (d) Developing the personal qualities necessary to integrate and apply their knowledge and skills, (e) Using good judgment and appropriate emotional functioning prior to contact with clients in any practicum or internship. Those students who are recovering from a personal addiction to alcohol or drugs are expected to have 12 months of continuous sobriety prior to registering for the Practicum and 15 months of continuous sobriety prior to registering for the internship.
Students in HPC will be reviewed by the appropriate faculty at the time a student's program of study is under consideration, at the time application is made for candidacy and at any other time when there is a concern.
If there is a question as to whether or not a student is meeting the departmental expectations, the student's advisor will give feedback both orally and in writing regarding the concern(s) and step(s) needed to rectify the situation.
After a review of progress, if improvement is not being made, the student might be given additional time, might be asked to stop taking courses for a specified period of time or might be dismissed from the program/department.
If the student does not agree with the faculty or advisor, the student may first appeal to the department chair. If not satisfied, the student may appeal to the RCOE Dean, then to the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and/or appropriate committees on campus. The student should remember that "Appalachian reserves the right to exclude at any time a graduate student whose conduct is deemed improper or prejudicial to the best interest of the University" (Graduate Bulletin 1995-1997, p. 68).
Back to Top3. RECRUITMENT OF STUDENTS REPRESENTING A VARIETY OF SUBGROUPS AND SUBCULTURES:
Appalachian State University is committed to equality of educational opportunity and does not discriminate against applicants. Moreover, Appalachian State University is open to all people and actively seeks to recruit and enroll students from diverse populations.
Back to Top4. ADMISSIONS PROCESS FOR MASTER'S DEGREE - SUMMARY OF BASIC REQUIREMENTS:
Application materials are submitted on-line to the Graduate School.
A. Have a baccalaureate degree from a college or university of recognized standing. Although the undergraduate major of each applicant is not limited to specific fields, the student may be required to take specific courses in other departments (e.g. psychology or education) as part of or in addition to the regular degree program.
B. Submit a report of scores from the Aptitude Section of the Graduate Record Examination which is administered by appointment at the testing centers of many universities and senior colleges.
C. Submit a completed on-line application and the application processing fee to the Graduate School office at least one month before the applicant plans to begin graduate study. This application includes: biographical information; two complete transcripts of all previous college work, unless done at Appalachian; three reference ratings; and a special admissions questionnaire for the Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling. Since space in one or more of the programs may be filled prior to the deadline, applications should be submitted as early as possible, preferably between three and twelve months prior to planned enrollment.
D. The Graduate School office will certify whether the applicant meets minimum Graduate School requirements.
E. The Admissions Committee of the Department of Human Development and Psychological Counseling will make a recommendation to the Graduate School regarding acceptance. Often, the applicant will be asked to meet with the Admissions Committee. In rare incidences, an applicant who fails to meet all of the entrance requirements may be considered for admission if other outstanding characteristics and experiences are documented.
Back to TopApplicants may be considered for admission in these categories:
Regular. Regular admission to the Graduate School is granted to students who meet the established requirements for entrance. Conditions, such as the completion of one or more additional undergraduate or graduate courses, may be specified.
Provisional. A student who does not have all the course prerequisites for admission, or who has deficiencies, but is otherwise admisssible may enter on a provisional basis. The department will review the student's progress and success in remaining deficiencies in determining enrollment beyond the first term. Provisional status is granted only in EXCEPTIONAL cases.
Applicant. In certain instances, students whose applications are incomplete may register for a maximum of one term for a designated number of courses upon approval by the departmental admissions committee and the department chairperson.
Non-Degree. Students holding a baccalaureate degree and who are not working toward a graduate degree are permitted to take graduate courses only with the permission of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Such courses will not be counted toward a graduate degree.
School Counseling Licensure. Endorsement for school counseling licensure from ASU requires that applicants complete a master's degree program in professional school counseling. Applicants with masters degrees from other fields must complete a second master's degree, after following the regular application process through the Graduate School.
Visiting. Graduate students enrolled in good standing at other recognized schools may be permitted to register for a limited number of graduate credits upon approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and by the department chairperson.
Auditors. Regular fees are charged for auditing. A student may register as an auditor for a course with the consent of the instructor and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Classes audited shall count as part of the student's load, but he or she will receive no credit and no grade will be assigned. An auditor is expected to be regular in class attendance but may not participate in class discussions unless invited to do so. An auditor is not required to take tests and examinations. An auditor who finds it necessary to discontinue class attendance should formally drop the course.
Undergraduate Enrollment for Graduate Level Course. Seniors with a grade point average of 3.00 or above, may, with written permission from the course instructor, chairperson of the department offering the course, and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, be permitted to take one or more graduate courses for undergraduate credit. Credit earned in this manner will be used to meet baccalaureate degree requirements and may not be applied toward a graduate degree.
Back to TopEach student is assigned an academic advisor and an advisory committee. The student is expected to meet with his/her advisor periodically and must plan a complete program of study after completing 9 hours. Program of Study forms are available in the departmental office. Changes in this program can be made only with the approval of the advisor, the department chairperson, and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Course work taken without the approval of the advisor will not automatically be applicable towards the degree.
Back to Top7. PRE-REGISTRATION FOR COURSES:
All students are strongly encouraged to pre-register for classes. By pre-registering, students greatly enhance the likelihood of getting courses when they need them.
Back to TopAdmission to graduate study does not carry with it admission to candidacy for the master's degree. Admission to candidacy may be considered after the completion of two semesters of graduate study in the appropriate university degree program.
Each student is accepted into a specific program within the department (i.e. community counseling, marriage and family therapy, professional school counseling, college student development). A student may not switch to another program without making a formal written request and receiving the prior approval of his/her advisor, the new program admissions committee, and the department chairperson. A student who wishes to change to another department must have the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and of the department into which he/she proposes to transfer before the change is made. Acceptance into a particular program/department does not guarantee acceptance by another program/department.
Back to TopCultural diversity has become the norm in our society. Viewing cultural diversity as the norm means that students need to learn about the experiences, cultures, histories, and perspectives of people from a variety of ethnic, racial, gender, and social class backgrounds. Therefore, all courses in the department are taught from a multicultural perspective.
Back to Top*Note: These are excerpts only; see the current Graduate Bulletin for details and additional policies/processes.
Required Courses-See the separate listing of courses required by each major and see advisor.
Thesis Option-See the Graduate Bulletin and advisor.
Course Load-A student may take no more than 15 hours during a regular semester and 12 hours in the summer.
Course Numbering-Graduate students may be admitted to courses designated 4500 to 4999 if they did not take them as undergraduate students. Normally, a student may not take more than 12 semester hours (non-thesis degree) or 10 semester hours (thesis degree) below 5000. Courses designated 5000 and above are limited to graduate students only.
Time Limit-Academic work, including transfer credit, taken no more than seven (7) calendar years before the year in which the graduate degree is awarded may be used to satisfy the degree requirements. Course work that is beyond the seven year limit cannot be used for the degree.
Back to TopThe following grades are given in the Graduate School:
A (4.0)-Superior graduate accomplishment; A- (3.7); B+ (3.3); B (3.0)-Average graduate accomplishment; B- (2.7); C+ (2.3); C (2.0)-Below average but passing; C- (1.7); F (0.0)-Failing grade; I-Incomplete, given because a student has not completed the quantitative requirements of a course due to sickness or some other unavoidable cause; W-Withdrawal, either from a course or from the university; AU-Auditing; S-Satisfactory, given for a practicum/internship, a thesis and other designated courses; U-Unsatisfactory, given for a practicum/internship and a thesis and other designated courses. Back to Top
Graduate credit accepted in fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree shall average not lower than 3.0, and no credit toward the degree shall be granted for a grade below C-. Course work reported "Incomplete" must be completed within a year of the official ending of the course. A graduate student is permitted to repeat not more than one course to improve his grade. A grade of F is assigned to a student who arbitrarily discontinues meeting a class or who withdraws without making proper arrangements with the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
Back to TopStudents wishing to appeal an academic evaluation should first discuss the situation with the instructor of the course. If the situation is still not resolved, the student should contact the department chair. And, finally, if the problem is still not resolved, the student should contact the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
Back to TopAppalachian reserves the right to exclude at any time through due process a graduate student whose conduct is deemed improper or prejudicial to the best interest of the University. Graduate students who fail to maintain a cumulative grade average of at least 3.0 or who fail a course may not be permitted to re-register as degree candidates. However, students may petition the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research for consideration in extenuating circumstances which may constitute justifiable exceptions to this regulation. If the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research approves, students may be permitted to register at their own risk for an additional semester.
Back to TopUpon the recommendation of a graduate student's committee and with the approval of the department chairperson, a course numbered 4500-4999 may be challenged by examination for graduate credit. Courses numbered 5000 and above may not be challenged by examination. Grades are not recorded for credit earned by examination.
Back to TopSince regular class attendance is absolutely essential in meeting the objectives of departmental courses, the department permits taking a course listed in the catalog by individual study only in extremely rare situations. If a student requests to take a course by individual study, he/she must receive approval by the advisor, department chair, course instructor, Dean of the Reich College of Education, and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. Consistent with Graduate School policy, this request can be considered only after the student is admitted to candidacy.
Back to TopWith the approval of the advisor, instructor, department chair, Dean of the Reich College of Education, and Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, a graduate student who has been admitted to candidacy may register for independent study in his/her major field. As much as six semester hours of independent study may be applied toward a graduate degree.
Back to TopStudents enrolled in a degree program should check with their advisor regarding the possibility of transferring appropriate graduate courses from another university. If graduate credit is approved for transfer, the grades earned must be at least a B and the credit must not be more than seven years old at the time the degree is awarded. The courses must be approved by the student's advisor prior to enrollment in such transfer courses.
Back to TopPrior to contact with clients in any practicum or internship, students are expected to evidence good judgment and appropriate, emotional functioning. Those students who are recovering from a personal addiction to alcohol and/or drugs are expected to have 12 months of continuous sobriety prior to registering for the Practicum in Counseling and 15 months of continuous sobriety prior to registering for the Internship.
Back to TopSee separate sheet available in the departmental office listing the specific regulations and processes relevant to taking a practicum or internship. A student must receive approval from his/her advisor and the department chairperson prior to registering for any practicum/internship. The appropriate departmental request form must be filed during the preceding regular academic term for both the Practicum in Counseling and the specific program practice and internships.
Back to TopAppalachian State University requires liability insurance coverage for all students enrolled in internship or practicum courses. Appalachian State University participates in a student insurance program with other constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina. The premium for insurance coverage is charged to each student's account along with other registration fees. For more information on liability insurance coverage, click here.
Back to Top21. COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION:
Although students may be required to participate in special departmental examinations at the beginning of their programs and/or at the time of candidacy, all students must perform acceptably on a comprehensive examination (normally written, but may be oral or both). The comprehensive is scheduled during the last one-third of the student's coursework. Written comprehensive exams are offered only once each semester and once in the summer. "Request to Take Comprehensive Examination" forms, available in the departmental office, must be submitted to one's advisor by the posted deadline. Students approved to take comprehensives will be notified in writing by the department chairperson.
Back to Top22. NATIONAL TEACHER EXAMINATION (NTE):
Students in the Professional School Counseling program must achieve the minimum NTE scores currently required by the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction or equivalent scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Early in one's program, each certification student should check with his/her advisor to determine if his/her GRE scores meet certification requirements.
Back to TopVarious kinds of financial assistance are available to graduate students: assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, loans, and work-study. The Graduate Office processes applications for all assistance except loans and work-study grants which are processed by the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Back to Top24. PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Students are strongly encouraged to join a relevant professional association and strongly encouraged to attend national and state meetings of these professional associations.
Back to TopThere is a file of positions available in the departmental office for students seeking employment. In addition, the Career Development Center is highly recommended to assist students preparing to enter the job market.
Back to TopDepartmental faculty will endorse students only for positions for which they have demonstrated the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in that position. Likewise, students will only be endorsed for professional credentials (licensure and/or certification) for areas in which they have been properly trained.
Back to TopThe graduate student is entrusted with the responsibility for his/her own progress. He/she keeps an up-to-date record of the courses taken in his/her program and checks periodically with the advisor. Responsibility for errors in his/her program or in interpretation of regulations rests entirely with the student. It is the student's responsibility to initiate programs of study, candidacy, practicum, internship, and comprehensive exam requests as specified.
Back to TopA student holding a master's degree may earn a second master's degree in another discipline. In all cases the required courses/experiences in a specific major must be completed successfully. See the Graduate Bulletin for further information.
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