Three study options in counselor education lead to the M.A. and Ed.S. degree and provide the professional preparation necessary for work in schools, colleges, rehabilitation, and other agency and community settings. The Ed.D. and Ph.D. are also offered in counselor education. Certification programs for school counselors are available at the Class A and Class AA levels. Students who earned initial credit toward Class AA professional certification during the fall semester of 1992 or later must enroll in and complete the Ed.S. degree program. Courses used to qualify for a lower-level supporting certificate may not be used again in a higher-level certification program.

Because of the necessarily heavy emphasis at the entry level upon practicum and internship experiences, the M.A. programs in school counseling and rehabilitation counseling require a minimum of 48 semester hours of study. The community counseling master's degree requires a minimum of 60 semester hours. No thesis is required in any of the M.A. programs.

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has conferred accreditation on the following: community counseling (M.A.), school counseling (M.A.), and counselor education (Ed.D. and Ph.D.). The Council on Rehabilitation Education, also recognized by CHEA, has conferred accreditation for rehabilitation counseling (M.A.).

Admission and degree requirements for the Graduate School and for the College of Education are detailed in an earlier section of this catalog. Cohort admission decisions are made twice annually (November and April). Admission and degree requirements specific to the program and in addition to those of the Graduate School, College, and department include the following:

Admission for master's degrees. Admission to pursue a master's degree in any track within the program in counselor education is based upon success in admission for graduate study with the Graduate School. No additional program requirements are expected beyond these minimum standards.

Admission for educational specialist degree. Admission to pursue an educational specialist degree in counselor education is based upon success in admission for graduate study with the Graduate School as well as the following requirements: (a) completion of a master's degree in counseling, and (b) two years of experience.

Admission for doctoral degrees. Admission to pursue a doctoral degree in counselor education is a two-step procedure. Unconditional admission by the Graduate School is only the initial step for those seeking the doctoral degree. Within this step, students are engaged in post-master's study and are subject to scrutiny and review by program faculty for their suitability for doctoral study. An applicant for doctoral study must (a) possess a completed master's degree in counselor education; (b) when necessary, complete supplemental master's-equivalency courses to comply with the CACREP-accredited course of study for the master's degree; and (c) successfully complete the doctoral screening interview for formal pursuit of the doctoral degree in counselor education. Course credit in post-master's study prior to the screening interview may be used to fulfill doctoral degree requirements only after supplemental master's-equivalency study is completed and a successful screening interview is conducted.

Degree requirements. Degree requirements are noted on the official program planning record for the various degrees/tracks. These documents are available from the chairperson or administrative staff for the department.

EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
Professor Stephen Thoma, Office: 310 Carmichael Hall

The educational psychology program is designed to provide the highest-quality graduate education for exemplary professional development in the field of educational psychology. The program is ideal for individuals aspiring to develop expertise in theory, research, application, and practice related to learning, development, motivation, and reflective problem solving for functional well being of people of all ages. The student-centered program views educational psychology not as a static body of pre-existing knowledge to be internalized by the students, but as an evolving system of problems and solutions, a scientific system of problem solving, a living system of communication, and an ethical system for personal and professional conduct. The program invites applications from all potential students, especially those in underrepresented populations.

Four educational psychology degrees are offered: M.A., Ed.S., Ed.D., and Ph.D. in educational psychology. The M.A. has thesis and nonthesis options and a focus on general educational psychology. There is also an option for an M.A. focus on program evaluation (no thesis), in collaboration with the program in educational research. Ph.D. students may choose specializations in (a) learning, motivation, and instruction, (b) interdisciplinary educational science or (c) human development, through a collaborative arrangement with the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in the College of Human Environmental Sciences.

Admission requirements. Statement of purpose and letters of recommendation consistent with goals of the program, scores above the 50th percentile on the GRE or MAT, and a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are needed for unconditional admission. Conditional admission will be granted in some circumstances. Prospective students are encouraged to complete their applications by January 15 for admission the following fall.

Degree requirements. Master's degrees require 30–33 graduate credit hours. Ed.S. degrees require 30–33 hours beyond the master's. Doctoral degrees require 60 or more hours beyond the master's.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Professor Judith A. Stock, Office: 315 Carmichael Hall

The program in educational research offers the Ph.D. in educational research and Ed.S. in educational psychology: educational research. The degrees require coursework in educational statistics, assessment/measurement, program evaluation, and qualitative research. A student may choose to specialize in educational statistics, program evaluation, assessment/measurement, research methodology, or qualitative research at the Ph.D level. Field experiences are required as part of the program. A doctoral minor is also offered in educational research. Admission and degree requirements for the Graduate School and for the College of Education are detailed in an earlier section of this catalog.

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY
Professor Patti Harrison, Office: 306 Carmichael Hall

The school psychology program is designed to provide exemplary graduate training in research, application, and practice related to learning, development, and mental health of people of all ages. The program also serves graduate students and faculty throughout the College of Education and other colleges by providing coursework, consultation, and doctoral minors.

The degrees from the school psychology program may lead to state and national credentials. The M.A. degree in educational psychology: school psychometry is approved for Alabama A Certification in School Psychometry if the following prerequisite is met: (a) baccalaureate-level certification in a teaching field and (b) two years of satisfactory educational experience. The Ed.S. in educational psychology: school psychology and the Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees in school psychology are approved for the Alabama AA Certification in School Psychology if the following prerequisites are met: (a) baccalaureate-level certification in a teaching field, (b) certification as a school psychometrist, and (c) two years of satisfactory educational experience. Individuals who hold National Certificate in School Psychology (NCSP) may be eligible for the Alabama AA certificate in School Psychology. The Ed.S. and doctoral degrees are approved by the National Association of School Psychologists. Students who obtain these degrees are eligible for the NCSP, following successful completion of the national school psychology examination. Requirements for certification and licensure in school psychology vary from state to state. Students are expected to determine the requirements in the state or states in which they are interested in practicing before beginning the program.

For a student handbook and specific degree requirements, email or call: Chairperson, School Psychology, The University of Alabama, College of Education, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0231; phone (205) 348-7575; fax (205) 348-0683; program office, 306 Carmichael Hall, email: pharriso@bamaed.ua.edu.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA GRADUATE CATALOG

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Update: Sep. 2007