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M.A. IN COUNSELING

M.A. IN COUNSELING

As early as the 1950s Xavier University of Louisiana was graduating professionals with certification in counseling. Many of the students at that time were teachers in the New Orleans public schools who sought add on certifications in community counseling, student services counseling, and educational guidance. During that time, there was a growing need for counselors in a variety of settings, including community mental health agencies, schools, and organizations. Initially, courses were offered in the administration building but after the opening of the new library in 1995, the counselor education faculty moved there, operating on the 5th floor.

The Counselor Education Program Mission

The Counselor Education Program, housed in the Division of Education and Counseling, furthers Xavier’s mission by preparing counselors to assume roles of leadership and service in society as Professional Counselors through our CACREP accredited standards-based program.

 

View Counseling Handbook 2022

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Required Courses

To promote a more just and humane society through counseling, the faculty prepare candidates who are knowledgeable, competent, reflective, and ethical. These candidates exhibit the highest degree of professionalism in facilitating the personal growth and development of clients at the individual, institutional, and systemic levels. This preparation takes place in a diverse teaching and learning environment that incorporates all relevant educational means, including scholarly works and community service.

The Xavier University Counselor Education Program educates students within an integrated leadership-practitioner model thus enabling students to become professionals who are change agents in promoting and advocating for a more just and humane society.

Program Goals & Objectives

Regardless of specialization, students pursuing an MA in Counselor Education must demonstrate knowledge and skills in all Student Learning Outcomes identified with the CACREP standards for core and specialization areas. The counselor education program faculty is committed to ensuring the development of reflective professionals, collaborative change agents toward a more just and humane society, as outlined in the Conceptual Framework for the Division of Education and Counseling. In order to realize this goal, the division infuses all curricula with understandings that recognize and develop the gifts and rich heritage each person brings to the respective program. 

Counseling Programs:

Clinical Mental Health

The counselor education program faculty prepare candidates based on CACREP Clinical Mental Health Counseling standards to work in a variety of diverse settings (including agencies, institutions, and private practice), collaborate with local community stakeholders, promote a more just and human society through service learning and service projects, commit to ongoing program evaluation, advocate for their clients and the counseling profession, and engage in continuing professional development.

Professional School

The counseling program faculty is equally committed to preparing candidates to be knowledgeable, competent, reflective and ethical Professional School Counselors.
Faculty prepare candidates to work in diverse school environments; advocate care and support for all students; develop comprehensive school counselor programs based on the standards of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA Model) and adopted by the Louisiana Department of Education; collaborate with parents, school administrators and community agencies; commit to lifelong professional development; and promote a more just and humane society as leaders of the school counseling profession.

Admission and Candidacy Requirements

  • Graduate Application
  • Standardized test scores Graduate Record Exam (GRE) (GRE – no minimum score)
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
    Please note: Applicants must submit a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Two Academic or Professional Letters of Recommendation on official letterhead and signed by someone who can speak to your potential as a graduate student.
  • Post Application Interview 
  • Personal Statement of Interest

(After student has been accepted and completed 12 credit hours)

  •  Pre-Candidacy student evaluation
  • GPA – Minimum 3.0
  • Graduate Council Decision
  • Pre-Candidacy Mandatory Counseling

Application Deadlines:

Fall                                                                                                    Spring
April 1 – Priority  October 1 – Priority

May 1 – General

Application Deadline has been extended to July 1st for Fall 2024 semester 

 December 1 – General

 

 If you have questions, contact the Office of Graduate Program at (504) 520-7669 or via email at ogp@xula.edu