DEPARTMENT OF COUNSELING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Have questions about the Department of Counseling? Our FAQs provide helpful information about admissions, program requirements, course offerings and delivery formats, advising, scholarships, field experiences, and program progression. These FAQs are designed to help you better understand the programs within the Department of Counseling.

FAQ

The Department of Counseling offers four graduate degree programs:

The department also offers the following Certificate programs for currently enrolled counseling students seeking specialized training. These certificates are available only to students enrolled in the Department of Counseling's master's or doctoral programs and are completed concurrently with their degree.

The department does not offer any undergraduate degrees but does offer 2 undergraduate   courses (COUN 210 and COUN 310) open to any major at North Carolina A&T State University.

Yes. All master's and doctoral counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the national accrediting body for counselor education. The School Counseling program also aligns with North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) requirements.

Admission requirements vary by program but generally include:

  • A completed Graduate College application
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
  • A statement of purpose
  • 3 professional Letters of recommendation
  • GRE optional (Not required )
  • Professional Resume or CV
  • Doctoral applicants must have a counseling master’s degree from a CACREP accredited program. There are no specific undergraduate major requirements for admission consideration into the master’s degree programs. All applicants are encouraged to review the Graduate Catalog for complete admission requirements and application deadlines
  • Any additional program-specific requirements listed in the Graduate Catalog

 

The master’s programs application deadlines are July 1 for Fall admissions and November 1 for Spring admissions. The doctoral program only has a Fall admission and the deadline is July 1. However, all applicants are encouraged to apply before January 15 for the best funding opportunities.

Yes. In accordance with CACREP accreditation requirements, all master’s and doctoral counseling students complete supervised field experiences. These experiences allow students to apply theories, skills, and practices in real-world settings that fit their unique professional counseling goals. These experiences are typically student selected and approved by the department’s Field Experience Coordinator, who assists with placements.

Yes. Many students matriculate either part-time or full-time while working. Students can complete the program at a pace that works best for their schedule. All classes meet once per week for approximately 3 hours. All students are able to matriculate at their own pace, but are encouraged to enroll full-time.

The counseling programs are in-person degree programs. However, course delivery formats may vary by course and semester. Students should review the official course schedules to confirm the delivery format.

Courses typically meet once a week for 2 hours and 50 minutes. Course times may vary by semester. A matriculation guide is provided to student to inform their plan of study and course scheduling. Each student also has an assigned advisor.

 Master’s Students: Classes are generally offered in the afternoon or evening from 3:00–5:50 p.m. or 6:00–8:50 p.m. The master’s programs are not on a cohort model which allows students to matriculate according to their schedules.

Ph.D. Students: Classes are generally offered during the day from 9:00–11:50 a.m. and 2:00–4:50 p.m. The doctoral program follows a cohort model and these students can expect to be in classes 2 days per week.

Time to degree varies for master’s students given that students are able to attend either full or part-time. An average time to degree is 2 ½ to 3 years. Students have the option to attend summer classes. Time to degree for doctoral students is 3 years with the first 2 years consisting of coursework and the 3rd year

 Yes. Graduate students may be eligible for scholarships and financial assistance through the university, professional organizations, and external organizations.

Students are encouraged to explore Graduate Funding Opportunities for additional information about available funding resources, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines.

If you have program specific questions, feel free to reach out to the department at 336-334-7916. If you need support in one of the following areas, please contact the respective office linked below.

 

Graduate College – Questions related to your application, letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.

Financial Aid – Questions related to FAFSA, student loans, etc.

Treasurer’s Office – Questions related to billing, student payments, etc.

Registar’s Office – Questions related to course registration, academic calendar, etc.