Admissions and Continuance
The Application Process
Persons applying for graduate study in the Department of Human Development and Services at North Carolina A&T State University must have earned a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college. The application packet may be obtained from the School of Graduate Studies, Room 120 Gibbs Hall. Complete applications include completed application form, personal statement, resume, two official transcripts of all prior academic work, three letters of recommendation or reference forms, statement of residence, and application fee of $35.00.
The Department of Human Development and Services at North Carolina A&T State University accepts and reviews applications for admission twice a year. Deadlines for counseling applications are April 1st for fall admissions and November 1st for spring admissions.
The applicant’s packet will be reviewed by the School of Graduate Studies and the Admissions Committee of the Department of Human Development and Services. Applicants may be requested to participate in a pre-admission interview with departmental faculty. The admissions decision at the department level is based on the recommendation of the Admissions Committee, other Department faculty, and the chairperson.
Admission Requirements
Admission to graduate study within the Department of Human Development and Services is subject to the following requirements and considerations:
Persons applying for graduate study within Departmental programs should have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point system. Primary factors in the admissions decision include academic background, demonstrated professional and volunteer experience appropriate to Departmental programs of study, three letters of recommendation or reference forms, resume, and official transcripts of all prior academic work. Generally speaking, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for admission to the department. However, in certain instances, the Counseling Admissions Committee may recommend or request applicants take the GRE. In the event an applicant is asked to take the GRE, then his or her score will be submitted to the graduate school as a part of the application process, and the GRE score will be considered in the overall admissions decision. If approved, applicants who do not meet minimum GPA requirements may be admitted to Departmental programs on the weight of other factors. Test of English as a Foreign Language is required for international students.
In addition to the recommendation forms required by the School of Graduate Studies, each applicant is required to submit a personal statement to the Counseling Admissions Committee describing career goals, research interests and a list of publications, experience, academic honors and organizations. Although it is not required by all academic departments, the Counseling Admissions Committee considers this statement to be a document that strongly supports the application for admission.
Unconditional Admission
All provisionally admitted students (those accepted with less than 3.0 undergraduate GPA) must apply for unconditional status after nine (9) semester hours of HDSV courses. Only unconditionally admitted students will be allowed to take 700-level courses. Students who are provisionally admitted must submit the one page departmental admission form and be admitted to unconditional status before enrolling in 700-level courses.
Continuance in Departmental Programs
Once admitted to graduate study within the Department of Human Development and Services, each student is expected to assume primary responsibility for adhering to Departmental and University policies and for appropriate progress through the curriculum. It is strongly recommended that all students retain a copy of the University catalog under which admission was granted for future reference. Students should also maintain a copy of the academic calendar that is published in the registration booklet each registration period and regularly check the department for posted announcements.
Program of Study
Once admitted to the Department, each student is assigned an academic advisor based on his or her degree program and concentration within the Department.
The student is expected to work collaboratively with the advisor to develop the program of study and to complete the Program Plan of Study form which will provide a blue print of study tailored to the unique interests and pace of study identified by the student. The student will receive a copy of the approved Program of Study, another copy is maintained in the departmental student file, and the third copy is sent to the School of Graduate Studies. See the Graduate Bulletin for further instruction on completing the Plan of Study.
Grades
Students are required by the School of Graduate Studies to maintain a 3.0 grade point average overall. The Department requires students to maintain an overall 3.0 grade point average in professional core courses. Students whose averages fall below 3.0 in either case may be restricted in the number of hours for which they will be allowed to enroll and subject to other action including probation and dismissal contingent upon the recommendation of the School of Graduate Studies.
Ethical Conduct
Each student is expected to maintain appropriate academic and professional deportment. Specifically, students are expected to exhibit a respect for and openness to the views of others regardless of individual differences, to adhere to appropriate professional standards of conduct, and to document paper and presentations thoroughly in keeping with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Violations of ethical conduct are dispatched in accord with the departmental ethical standards. Students who violate sound ethical practice jeopardize their standing in the Department. See the Department of Human Development and Services Ethical Conduct Policy.
Time Limitations
According to Graduate School policy, students enrolled in master's degree programs must complete their program requirements within six successive calendar years. Any variations need to be approved by the Graduate School Dean. See the Graduate Bulletin for additional information.
Retention Standards
The accreditation standards of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) state in Section II: Program Objectives and Curriculum, Standard E that “consistent with established institutional due process policy and American Counseling Association (ACA) Ethical Standards, when evaluations indicate a student’s inappropriateness for the program, faculty assist in facilitating the student’s transition out of the program and, if possible, into a more appropriate area of study” (p. 58). In keeping with these standards, along with the standards set forth by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) and the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA), the Department of Human Development and Services has developed a process on student retention.
The Human Development and Services faculty maintain a commitment to quality instruction and training of professional counselors and have an ethical obligation to the profession and the community to insure that persons who are graduated meet professional standards of preparation. Unfortunately, it is possible that not all students are capable of becoming competent counseling professionals who will maintain the standards of the profession. Students who exhibit behaviors inconsistent with institutional or professional standards (as outlined under the Ethical Standards of the American Counseling Association, the Graduate Catalog, and as reiterated in this document will be transitioned out of the program and, if possible, into a different area of study.
Codes of Conduct and Standards of Practice
As pre-professional counselors, graduate students abide by a code of ethics and standards of practice as described in the Ethical Standards of the American Counseling Association(ACA), the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Department of Human Development and Services requirements as outlined below and the University academic dishonesty policy in this handbook. Therefore, professional maturity is expected of all students. Behaviors that may impair professional behavior include, but are not limited to the following:
- Confirmed threat of harm to self or others
- Discriminatory behaviors or harassment toward others on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disability
- Unwillingness to receive feedback or resistance to evaluation from superiors and/or failure to modify unprofessional behaviors.
- Disabling or chronic physical or emotional problems which mediate the student’s ability to meet program requirements subject to disability law
- Habitual tardiness to class or field placement
- Habitual unexcused absences from class or field placement
- Disruptive behavior toward colleagues, faculty, staff, peers, or clients
- Consistent failure to demonstrate interpersonal skills necessary to form effective professional and therapeutic relationships
- Failure to use acceptable American Psychological Association style documentation including plagiarism and other failure to document sources in research reports
- The presentation as one’s own work, term projects and papers secured from others, and the submission of the same term papers or projects in several courses
- Any other professional behavior not in accordance with the departmental Ethical Conduct Policy and the Ethical Standards of the American Counseling Association
- The failure to follow other University policies and procedures
The Transition Process
Transition out of the program means that a student may be requested to withdraw from the program and not enroll in further courses. As determined by the program’s benchmark and evaluation system, a student may be transitioned out of the program.
Outcomes of the Violation of Standards
Possible consequences of impairment include but are not limited to the following:
- A grade of “F” in the assignment, exam, or course.
- Removal from the course or the field placement.
- Monitoring by the advisor/administration or referral to campus resources.
- A leave of absence from the program. A student may be required to reapply for continuance to return to the program.
- Transition out of the program.
- Referral to authorized campus authorities for further discipline.
The Review Process
Review of student behavior may be initiated from several sources including student complaints or evaluations, and or faculty/administrator observations, evaluations or complaints. Complainants should direct concerns to the chairperson who will arrange an informal review with complainant, and the student. If the behavior is not corrected or if the severity warrants, a formal complaint (in writing) to the chairperson should be initiated by the complainant.
The department chairperson will then send a copy of the complaint to the students, meet with the student to issue the discipline or forward the complaint to the Department of Human Development and Services Retention Committee to evaluate the merit of the complaint and conduct additional investigation as needed. The committee will forward their recommendation to the chair. The chairperson will notify the student and the advisor (in writing) of the outcome.
A student who wishes to appeal a decision should refer to the Grievance Policy in the handbook.
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