Application for Admission to Candidacy is made after completion of 15 to 18 credit hours of graduate course work/study.  Students must complete the three Professional Education Core courses (CUIN 654, EDUC 603 and EDUC 606) as well as a minimum of six hours in the School Counseling concentration (SCCO 600, SCCO 606, and SCCO 609) with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 as part of the candidacy process. Transfer courses are only counted toward the 15 to 18 credits if they are accepted as equivalent courses. Transfer grades are not calculated in the grade point average.

The decision to recommend or deny candidacy is based on evaluation of satisfactory completion of admission to graduate school study, to the department, and departmental approval of Program of Study, satisfactory academic performance and the professional development and personal growth of the student.

If the School Counseling faculty or adjunct faculty and coordinator agree that a student’s performance is not acceptable (acceptability is defined in the student handbook under Professional Behavior), or that the student’s behavior indicates concern for optimal functioning as a school counselor, they have several options in terms of action.  They may require that the student complete extra coursework to remedy deficiencies in skill level or knowledge, thus deferring the candidacy decision for at least one semester. They may also decide to deny candidacy based on evaluation of the student’s aptitude, professional and/or personal growth, or potential.  The student has the right to appeal the decision to the Educational Professions Graduate Committee.  See further information under the section on Evaluation of Students in the Program below.