Q: Is it possible to balance a career, family and graduate level studies?
A: Our program is designed with the working adult in mind. The modularized, accelerated format allows students to attend class one night per week for a four-hour class. In addition, the student is only taking one class at a time. The program mixes traditional classroom experience with the benefit of significant out of class learning that allows only 24 hours of class time for each 3-hour credit class. This does not imply that the student only spends four hours per week in learning activity. Most students spend about 4 hours of out of class time for every hour they are in class.
Q: How long will it take to complete my degree?
A: The MAMFT program generally takes about 18 months. The MSCP program takes about 24-26 months to complete. It depends on whether you start in the September or February group.
Q: Why should I attend SNU for my counseling degree program?
A: SNU has demonstrated that the program we offer trains competent highly skilled counselors. Our graduates have 61% pass rate on the Licensed Professional Counselor Exam in Oklahoma. This is the second highest pass rate in the state and well above the state average of 53%. Graduates of the programs have frequently been hired by their internship sites and others have found that the community respects our program and her graduates. Students who have gone on to doctoral programs have found that they are well prepared for doctoral work. But SNU is not interested in just having a quality program. We are interested in helping you integrate Christian perspectives in the counseling process. Our small class size and instructors who are actively involved in clinical work gives students an opportunity to be mentored by experts in various counseling perspectives.
Q: Why is the GRE not required to be admitted to the Graduate Programs in Counseling at SNU?
A: When the program began, the GRE was a requirement for admission, but the score did not affect admission to the program. It was believed that due the fact that many of our students had been out of college for a significant period of time, the GRE may not be a good tool for predicting success in our program. The decision was made to use admission criteria that would assist the Admissions Committee in evaluating applicants for the type of program we designed. The use of the journal article review as an admission requirement seemed to assist us in evaluating the critical thinking skills and the writing abilities of our applicants.
Q: What is the APA exam and when do I take it?
A: The APA exam is intended to assure us that you have gained mastery of the APA writing style prior to initiating the Graduate Programs in Counseling. The exam is given after applicants have been accepted into the program. It is an open book exam and students can take the exam until they show proficiency in the writing style. The exam is offered usually 2-3 weeks prior to the start of each cohort group.
Q: What courses fulfill the 18-hour requirements for admission into the programs?
A: All applicants must take a Statistics course and a General Psychology or equivalent course. Any other psychology course and some sociology courses may fulfill the other course requirements. The following courses are courses in the SNU catalog that meet these requirements. You may find similar courses at other universities. The following courses are not required. Please contact Dr. Budd or fax a copy of your transcript to be evaluated by us if you have additional questions.
3113 Social Psychology
3133 Human Development
3173 Physiological Psychology
3183 Psychological Testing
3203 People in Organizations
4103 Abnormal Psychology
4113 Psychology of Religion
4142 Survey of the Exceptional Child
4153 Psychology of Personality
4213 Principles of Counseling
4263 Techniques of Counseling
4273 History and Systems of Psychology
Q: What financial aid is avaiable?
A: Most students are able to make use of guaranteed student loans. There may be limited graduate assistant positions available. Please call the Financial Aid office for additional information (405) 491-6685.
Q: Will the program prepare me for a doctoral program?
A: The MSCP program is ideal in preparing you for a doctoral program. The thesis requirement in the MSCP allows students the research foundation that doctoral programs encourage applicants to possess. We have had good success in placing graduates in doctoral programs.
Q: Will I be eligible for licensure from the graduate programs?
A: YES! The MSCP program was designed to fulfill the academic requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor license in Oklahoma and the MAMFT program was designed to fulfill the licensing requirements for the Licensed Marital and Family Therapist license in Oklahoma. Students may be eligible for either license from each program with some modifications.