University of South Dakota

Program Goals

• To provide all students with strong theoretical background on which to base their service to clients.  
• To provide all students with a knowledge of human development over the life span.  
• To provide all students with competencies in the areas of consultation and coordination of services to various constituencies.  
• To provide all students with specialized preparation in developmental, preventive, and therapeutic counseling.  
• To provide all students with specialized preparation through practicum and internship.  
• To provide all students with field based internship settings similar to their future employment goals.  
• To provide doctoral students with competencies in counseling, supervision, diagnostic methods, case management, research, and administration of counseling services.    

Strengths of the Program

• Positive relationships between and among graduate students and faculty  
• Program flexibility which enables students at all degree levels the opportunity to develop skills and competencies necessary for individual, professional and career goals.  
• A staff with multi-theoretical backgrounds and training who provide students with thorough grounding in theory and practical application of theory.  
• A staff who are all professionally certified or licensed in their respective areas of expertise.  
• Master of Arts through Doctoral degrees which provide students with the benefit of junior-senior learner interaction.  
• Excellent history of placement of graduates.  
• The program is affiliated with Chi Sigma Iota, National Honor Society for Counselors.