Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Bulletin 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Counseling (M.S.)


Bulletin/Catalog Year 2019-2020
College of Behavioral and Health Sciences
Department of Psychological Science and Counseling

Dr. Nicole Knickmeyer
Chair, Department of Psychological Science and Counseling
Associate Professor
Location: Clement Building, Room 205B
Phone:  931-221-7232
Email: knickmeyern@apsu.edu
Website: www.apsu.edu/psychology

Dr. Kim Coggins
Graduate Coordinator
Associate Professor of Counseling
Location: Clement Building, Room 221B
Phone: 931-221-7234
Email: cogginsk@apsu.edu

The Department of Psychological Science and Counseling at Austin Peay offers a Master of Science in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling.

Admission Requirements

The prerequisite for pursuing this degree is 12 hours of psychology or psychology related courses that should include: introduction to  psychology, human development, behavioral statistics, and abnormal psychology (or closely related). If seeking a master’s degree in counseling, candidates must request admission to candidacy before completing nine hours of graduate course work. 

Admission to the M.S. in Counseling Program (both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling concentrations) is competitive and selective.

Listed below are the required application materials and the associated scores (if necessary) for each.

  • Application for admission
  • Application Fee:  $45 domestic or $55 international
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Verification of lawful presence in the United States (i.e. submit a license or other approved document)
  • Bachelor’s degree, from a regionally accredited institution showing a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher
  • GRE scores (typical scores on the new version are 146 or above on the Verbal section and 142 or above on the Quantitative section)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • Military documents (if applicable)
  • Individual and/or group interview with Counseling program faculty
  • Admission decision by department

All completed applications will be reviewed. Those applicants who meet the admissions requirements will be contacted for an on campus interview (phone or Skype interviews may be granted on a case-by-case basis). Students will be admitted based on the number of available openings in their program of interest, in addition to the criteria listed above.  The Department of Psychological Science and Counseling does not grant conditional admissions. 

Priority admission will be given to applicants whose files are completed and who meet admission requirements prior to February 20th for fall admission. Later applications will be considered based upon openings. Students seeking to apply after February 20th must contact the coordinator of the counseling program. Applicants to the Department of Psychological Science and Counseling must be formally admitted to the department before they can enroll in classes.

For more information about the application process, please visit apsu.edu/grad-studies.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration


Master of Science in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration prepares students to work in a variety of community agency settings and/or eventual private practice. Students completing this concentration will have met the educational requirements for licensure in Tennessee as a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider status.

The curriculum requirements include coursework, a 100-hour practicum experience, 600-hour internship and a comprehensive examination.

School Counseling Concentration


Master of Science in Counseling - School Counseling concentration

The school counseling concentration is designed to prepare graduates for school counseling positions at elementary, middle/junior high and high school levels. Graduates will meet the current licensing requirements for the Tennessee Board of Education.

The curriculum requirements include coursework, a 120-hour practicum experience, 600-hour internship, and a comprehensive examination. Students entering the program without prior teaching experience will be required to take two education courses (*) as electives.

Total Hours 48

Total Hours 3 or 6*

* Required for students with no teaching experience as determined by program coordinator

  • NOTE: Successful completion of a comprehensive exam is also required. 

Total Hours for degree completion 51-54