Courses for Counseling and Higher Education (CHE)
Rotation of Classes for the 60 hour School Program (2026-2028)
The Department of Counseling and Higher Education offers the Masters of Science in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling. This program meets the requirements for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and leads to certification as a School Counselor in the State of Illinois (Professional Educator License).
Class Options
CHE 5510 Professional Orientation
3 credits
CHE 5520 Theories of Counseling
3 credits
REQUIRED: HAVE BACKGROUND CHECK COMPLETED IN PREPARATION FOR PRACTICUM
CHE 5500 Research Methods
4 credits (1 hour lab)
CHE 5510** Professional Orientation
3 credits
CHE 5520** Theories of Counseling
3 credits
CHE 5530 Basic Counseling Skills
4 credits ( 1 hour lab)
14 credits
Pre-requisites – 5500, 5510, 5520 & 5530
REQUIRED: Purchase Professional Liability insurance prior to beginning Practicum
OPTIONAL: Sign up for NCE Roster
CHE 5600 Cross Cultural Counseling
3 credits
CHE 5620 Group Counseling
3 credits
CHE 5630 Practicum
4 credits (1 hour Lab)
CHE 5943 Foundations/Management of School Counseling Programs
3 credits
13 credits
Content Area Test a pre-requisite for 2nd Internship {6921} OPTIONAL: Apply for NCE Exam
CHE 5610 Human Development
3 credits
CHE 5941 Emerging Issues in Sch. Counseling 3
credits
CHE 6920 Supervised Experience
3 credits
9 credits
Needed: Internship Presentation & Positive Prof. Disposition;
OPTIONAL: take NCE OR sign up for NCE roster for SPRING
CHE 5640 Play Therapy
3 credits
CHE 5942 SC: Collaboration, Consultation and Counseling 3 credits
CHE 5920 Career Counseling
3 credits
CHE 6921 Supervised Experience
3 credits
12 credits
(Apply for Graduation, Cap & Gown & Hooding; REQUIRED: Comp. Exam;
OPTIONAL:take NCE)
CHE 5900 Appraisal 3 credits
CHE 6922 Supervised Experience
3 credits
CHE Elective
3 credits
CHE Elective
3 credits
12 credits
* Schedules are tentative and subject to change. ** If 5510 and/or 5520 is taken in the summer, students may consider 5640 Play Therapy as a replacement course for fall of first year. (It is recommended that you only take one replacement course so that your remaining schedule is not adversely impacted).
What is the School Counseling Concentration?The Department of Counseling and Higher Education offers the Master of Science degree in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling.
This program meets the rigorous accreditation standards for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), making graduates of the School Counseling concentration marketable to school districts across the country.
The School Counseling track offers a unique licensure opportunity for students as well. First, students will become certified as a School Counselor in the state of Illinois upon graduation (earning their Professional Educator License). Additionally, students in the School Counseling track will have the extra opportunity to earn their clinical license, becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Illinois. No additional coursework or internship experience is required, as the 60-credit hour School Counseling Program covers requirements necessary for both licenses. This dual licensure opportunity only applies to students enrolled in the School Counseling concentration track.
What are the benefits to earning a Masters in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling?School counseling is a growing field across the country, and there are many benefits to earning a Master’s in School Counseling, including:
- School counseling is a dynamic profession, in which new, exciting things happen every day. Those wanting a career where they are not doing the same thing every day can look toward the School Counseling profession for that excitement.
- Those wanting a career that makes a positive impact on others should consider School Counseling. School counselors work closely with children and adolescents, making tangible, positive impacts in the lives of youth every day.
- Coursework in the School Counseling program is collaborative, experiential, and detailed. Coursework directly connects students to concepts that can help them in their future work with students.
- Those in the School Counseling program learn a variety of counseling theories by practicing in a controlled, private Lab Room. Students get the proper clinical skills needed to be a successful mental health professional as they enter the school building and work with students.
What are the benefits to earning both licenses? The dual licensure opportunity for students in the School Counseling program offers a variety of benefits, including:
- Graduates with both the Professional Educator License and LPC licensure have a competitive edge when it comes to applying to jobs within school districts. Principals see the value in hiring a school counselor who is also a licensed therapist, as those professionals can best address the mental health needs of students.
- Both licenses offer career flexibility within the counseling profession. Graduates of the School Counseling program can choose to work in school or clinical settings once dually licensed. For example, many graduates opt to earn extra income in the summers as a clinical counselor.
- Obtaining both licenses takes advantage of all that EIU’s School Counseling program has to offer. Students can earn both licenses by enrolling in their regular 60-credit hour program, making dual licensure a convenient bonus to the learning taking place within the program.
Rotation for the 60-hour Clinical Mental Health (2026-2028)
The Department of Counseling and Higher Education offers the Masters of Science in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This program meets the requirements for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and leads to licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the State of Illinois.
Class Options
CHE 5510 Professional Orientation 3 credits
CHE 5520 Theories of Counseling 3 credits
CHE 5500 Research Methods 4 credits
(1 hour lab)
CHE 5510** Professional Orientation 3 credits
CHE 5520** Theories of Counseling 3 credits
CHE 5530 Basic Counseling Skills 4 credits (1 hour lab)
14 credits
(CHE 5500 - 5530 are pre-requisites)
REQUIRED: Purchase Professional Liability insurance prior to beginning Practicum
Sign up for NCE Roster
CHE 5620 Group Counseling 3 credits
CHE 5630 Practicum
4 credits (1 hour lab)
CHE 5930 Foundations of Clinical Counseling 3 credits
CHE 5980 Clinical Diagnosis 3 credits
13 credits
Apply for NCE Exam
CHE 5640 Play Therapy
3 credits
CHE 5920 Career Counseling 3 credits
CHE 6900 Supervised Clinical Experience 3 credits
9 credits
REQUIRED: Comp. Exam and NCE Test
CHE 5600 Cross Cultural Counseling 3 credits
CHE 5610** Human Development 3 credits
CHE 5690 Supervision and Trauma Informed Care 3 credits
CHE 6901 Supervised Clinical Experience 3 credits
12 credits
Apply for Graduation, Cap & Gown & Hooding
Internship Presentation, & Positive Prof. Disposition
CHE 5900 Appraisal
3 credits
CHE 5960 Family Counseling 3 credits
CHE 5970 Counseling the Addictive Client 3 credits
CHE 6902 Supervised Clinical Experienced 3 credits
12 credits
* Schedules are tentative and subject to change.
** If either 5510 and 5520 (or both) are taken in the summer, please consider 5610 Human Development as a replacement course for the fall (It is recommended that you only take one replacement course so that your remaining schedule is not adversely impacted).