Counseling
B.S.Ed. in Counseling and Student Services
This non-teaching major features an interdisciplinary study within the fields of education, counseling psychology and student affairs. Courses emphasize knowledge and skills in learning, development and interpersonal communications and will prepare you for careers and professions in the mental health or higher education and student affairs field.
Students will develop a strong theoretical and research-based understanding of learning and human development and be able to apply this knowledge to their future work in a variety of professions. They will learn how to facilitate effective interpersonal communication, utilize advanced listening skills to empathetically understand the perspective of others and access resources to help people actualize their potential and improve performance to effect positive personal, organizational and societal change. Through a Capstone Experiential Practicum embedded into one of the Core Courses (i.e., Professional Skills and Career Planning), students will also have the opportunity to apply these skills in their area of desired professional engagement.
Service learning is prominently featured within this major and provides experiences that can prepare you for your career. The opportunities will combine academic theory with practical real-life experience. You’ll engage with a broader and deeper understanding of the course content, fostering civic engagement and sharpening your insights both within yourselves and your place in the community.
After being admitted to IU Bloomington through the Office of Admissions, students must apply to Teacher Education Program (TEP). After completing further program-specific requirements, students may be admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP). Admission to TEP is competitive; meeting minimum admission requirements is necessary but not always sufficient for admission. Late applications are considered on a space-available basis.
Deadlines:
Fall Term: March 1
Spring Term: October 1
We offer a range of scholarships for qualified students. Current students can be considered for most School of Education scholarships by completing one application each year.
We also encourage students to visit Student Central for information about financial assistance.
If you are a prospective student who applies to our Direct Admit Scholars program, you’ll be considered for scholarship opportunities as an entering freshman.
The Counseling Concentration is well-suited for those students who envision careers in mental health, social service and other settings where their skills will facilitate the well-being of others. Graduates from this track will be suited for entry-level jobs in the Community and Social Service Occupations. While they will not be independent practitioners, they would be able to be in entry-level positions under the supervision of licensed practitioners on interdisciplinary teams in mental health settings.
This degree is also good preparation for those that intend to purse graduate study in mental health helping fields (e.g., counseling psychology, clinical psychology, social work, nursing).
For careers as a licensed counselor, bachelor’s degree recipients would need to subsequently pursue at least an accredited master’s degree in a clinical counseling field.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Concentration is designed for students interested in education, psychology, medicine, social work and public health who want to focus their career aspirations on children and adolescents. Students will develop the skills necessary to successfully integrate the knowledge of child and adolescent mental health into their profession as it relates to the social and cultural context of mental health, mental illness, diagnosis, and treatment, with coursework that reflects research‐based, developmentally appropriate practices for addressing child and adolescent mental health issues.
This concentration is well-suited for individuals seeking advanced graduate degrees in mental health-related fields (school psychology, counseling psychology, social work, nursing, etc.).
For careers as a licensed mental health professional, bachelor’s degree recipients would need to subsequently pursue at least an accredited master’s degree in a clinical counseling or related field.
Students who select the Student Services Concentration will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to transition into a variety of entry-level positions on college campuses. Positions will typically focus on working directly with undergraduate college students, including academic advising, student organization advising, leadership education, orientation, and residential programs and services.
Graduates of the program can subsequently pursue a master’s degree in the field to advance professionally from entry level positions.
The program requires 60-63 credits of Major coursework. These credits are broken up into 36 credits of core courses, plus 15-18 credits of coursework in the selected track (18 for Counseling Psychology, 15 for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health track, and 15 for Higher Education and Student Affairs track). Students additionally will select 9 credits from specific courses as part of their Professional Major Electives. Students can include a 15 credit Minor, and they also must complete General Education requirements to total a minimum of 120 credit hours. All courses must be completed with at least an average minimum GPA of 2.5.
Contact Us
Office of Teacher Education
ED 1000
(812) 856-8500
edhelp@iu.edu