Psychology to M.A. Counseling, Accelerated Graduate Degree

The MA in Counseling is an existing program offered in a hybrid format, using a combination of synchronous (real-time video/virtual participation) courses and fully online asynchronous courses. Undergraduates accepted to the AGD program can begin taking master’s level classes while still in the undergraduate program. These graduate credits can be used for both undergraduate and graduate level coursework and will help facilitate an easy and fast transition into the master’s program. In order to be accepted into the AGD program, please see your undergraduate advisor, fill out the AGD Plan of Study, and apply for conditional admission in the MA in Counseling program. You can visit the program website to learn more: www.marshall.edu/coepd/counseling/

For admission to the AGD in Counseling program, students must meet the requirements established by the university and the program. 

Eligibility Requirements for the MA in Counseling Accelerated Graduate Degree Program:

1. Must have completed at least 90 credit hours towards the bachelor's degree.  
2. Must have at least a 3.3 undergraduate GPA.
3. Must meet the minimum admission requirements for the MA in Counseling Program.

How to Apply:

1. During their junior or senior year, eligible students should meet with their Undergraduate Advisor and the Chair or Program Director of the Counseling Department to develop an AGD plan of study. Any changes to the AGD plan of study must be approved by the undergraduate advisor and Chair or Program Director of the Counseling Department.
2. The student’s acceptance into the AGD program is subject to the approval of the plan of study by the undergraduate advisor and Chair or Program Director of the Counseling Department.
3. After the AGD plan of study is approved, the student should apply for conditional admission into the MA in Counseling program. 

Their application materials for the MA in Counseling degree program will be assessed for: (1) relevance of career goals, (2) aptitude for graduate-level study, (3) potential success in forming effective counseling relationships, and (4) respect for cultural differences.

Applicants that meet the admission criteria will be permitted to take graduate level courses and be conditionally admitted into the counseling program until the completion of the undergraduate degree.

Withdrawal from the AGD

A student may withdraw at any time from the AGD by informing the undergraduate advisor and the Chair or Program Director of the Counseling Department. A student’s status will then revert to the standard undergraduate degree program. Any graduate hours earned must be approved for use in fulfillment of bachelor’s degree requirements by the student’s undergraduate dean.

From Undergraduate to Graduate Student

In order to be fully admitted to the MA in Counseling program, the student will need to complete their bachelor's degree and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all graduate credit toward their Master's degree program. Beginning with the semester after the student has earned the bachelor’s degree and has been fully accepted into the master’s degree program, the student is enrolled in the graduate program and is assessed tuition and fees at the graduate rate. All rules regarding graduate education will apply to the student once admitted into the master’s degree program.

The graduation requirements for the AGD are the same as the existing MA in Counseling degree program. 

In the fourth year of the undergraduate psychology degree program, the free elective offerings in the curriculum plan could be used for the graduate level courses. Students accepted into the AGD program can begin taking graduate coursework up to a maximum of 12 hours in place of elective undergraduate courses as outlined in the AGD Plan of Study. Students reduce the number of hours required to complete the bachelor’s degree by the number of graduate hours they complete (up to a maximum of 12).  Students would also be able to use the credits to reduce the number of 300-400 level courses required for graduation with their bachelor’s degree. They must meet all the other degree requirements for their bachelor’s degrees while they work on their master’s degrees. Students would be ready to be fully admitted into the MA in Counseling graduate program after graduation by filling out an application to have their status changed to ‘Graduate Student.’

The total time to complete the MA in Counseling degree will remain 7 years from the time of the first term classes are taken. Students in the AGD will be conditionally admitted into the graduate program until the completion of their undergraduate degree since the admissions criteria are the same.

Eligible Core Counseling Courses (can do one course or up to four COUN courses):

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
COUN 574	Social & Cultural Found	3
COUN 600	Professional Orientation	3
COUN 602	Human Devel and Adjustment	3
COUN 609	Research in Counseling	3

The AGD Plan of Study will be individualized for each student.