FAQ for Guidance & Counseling

1. How and when do I apply to the Guidance and Counseling Program?
2. Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?
3. Must I have a teacher's certificate or license in order to be admitted to the Guidance and Counseling program?
4. Can I work and still pursue a degree in Guidance and Counseling?
5. What are the "job" prospects for graduates of the Guidance and Counseling Program?

FAQ for Instructional Media - Library Information

1. What is the difference in your program and an ALA accredited Masters? 
2. What is required for me to be a school library media specialist?
3. How do I get certification as a school librarian if I already have a teaching certificate and a Masters?
4. Do I have to have teaching certification to be a school library media specialist?
5. Do I have to take a test to get in the IM-LI program?
6. Are IM-LI classes offered during the summer?
7. Are IM-LI evening classes offered?
8. Are IM-LI distance classes offered?
9. How long will it take me to finish the IM-LI program?

FAQ for Instructional Media - Applied Technology

1. What does this degree prepare me to do?
2. Does this Masters align with a specific teaching certificate?
3. Do I have to take a test to get in the IM - AT program?
4. Are Summer IM - AT classes offered?
5. Are evening IM - AT classes offered?
6. Are distance classes offered?
7. How long will it take me to finish the IM - AT program?

FAQ for Guidance & Counseling

How and when do I apply to the Guidance and Counseling Program?

Candidates may apply to either the M.Ed. or Certification (Must already possess a Masters Degree to be eligible for this option) Program in Guidance and Counseling at any time during the fall, winter or summer sessions. A candidate will need to apply for both admission to the Graduate College and to the Guidance and Counseling Program. Each application has its own process and forms. Contact the Graduate College at (405) 974-3341. It is located in the University Center room 404. The Graduate College After completing the graduate college forms you will be instructed to contact Ms. Stephanie Green, College of Education & Professional Studies Graduate Advisor. She can be reached at 974-5105. Information concerning application to the Graduate College (including forms) can be found at:
http://www.ucok.edu/graduate/index.htm

To apply to the Guidance and Counseling Program it is best to schedule an appointment with one of the Guidance and Counseling faculty/advisors. Formal admissions to the Guidance and Counseling Program will occur twice a year in the fall and spring. In addition Candidates can start taking courses in the summer. NOTE: Oklahoma Teacher Certification or Licensure is required. An application packet for the Guidance and Counseling Program can be obtained from the Graduate Office, the Guidance and Counseling Program or the Guidance and Counseling Web page at: http://www.educ.ucok.edu/subwebs/APS/jchandler/GUID/.
The application for formal admission to the Guidance and Counseling Program must be completed by Friday of the 14th week of either the fall or spring semester (check with the Guidance and Counseling Office for the specific dates). Interviews with prospective students will be scheduled through the end of final exam week. Students will be mailed/given notification of the results of their application as soon as possible. Those students who are accepted may begin their course of study the following full semester (fall or spring). To facilitate this process, students seeking to enroll in the M.Ed.. or Certification Program (for those already possessing a masters degree and teacher certification) may begin course work while they complete the application process. They may enroll in PTE 5013 Foundations of Educational Research and GUID 5013 Principles of Guidance and Counseling. In order to do this, prospective students must complete the necessary paperwork with Ms. Stephanie Green. This will allow the student to enroll for one semester. This will give students the opportunity to determine if they indeed wish to pursue a M.Ed. or certification in Guidance and Counseling and to complete the formal admissions process. It is stressed that receiving a 'Recommendation for Admission to the Graduate College' does not insure acceptance or continuation in the Guidance and Counseling Program.

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Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required?

No. The Guidance and Counseling faculty decided that the GRE did not add enough to the admission process to warrant the cost to the prospective Candidate. The following is the admissions requirement for the Guidance and Counseling Program:

Admission Requirements: 
Candidates for the M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling must:

• A. Hold a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, and either an Oklahoma standard teaching certificate or license.  Attach a copy to your application to the Guidance and Counseling program and a copy must be provided to the graduate office.
• B. The Guidance and Counseling Application packet must be completed and received by the Guidance and Counseling Program by Friday of the 14th week of the semester to be considered for acceptance for the next full semester (fall or spring).
• C. Meet one of the following academic standards:
  • a. 1. Attain a 2.75 or higher GPA in all undergraduate (UGPA) hours attempted.
    or
  • b. 1. Attain a 3.0 or higher GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate hours attempted.
    
• D. Must complete an interview with at least two members of the Guidance and Counseling Curriculum Committee with a favorable recommendation. Recommendations for admission are made through the Curriculum Committee for Guidance and Counseling. This committee serves as a policy-making body, and considers applications for admission to the program, the practicum and the internship. Any problems related to admission, retention, organization or administration of the program must be approved by this committee. The student has the right to appeal all decisions.

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Must I have a teacher's certificate or license in order to be admitted to the Guidance and Counseling program?

Yes.  If you do not have a teaching background, you may want to pursue alternative certification in a teaching field related to your undergraduate degree.  Contact the State Department of Education for information on alternative teaching certifications.  If you obtain an alternative teacher license, you may be eligible to enter the Guidance and Counseling program. The graduate office will allow you to enroll for up to 12 graduate hours while you complete this process.

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Can I work and still pursue a degree in Guidance and Counseling?

Yes. The vast majority of our students are working full time. They typically take two courses a semester and pick up some courses in the summer. Our program is designed for the working professional. The first classes start at 4:30 p.m. and end at approximately 7:15 p.m. The second round of classes start at 7:30 p.m. Each class meets one night a week during the regular semester.

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What are the "job" prospects for graduates of the Guidance and Counseling Program?

Currently the demand for Professional School Counselors outstrips the supply. It is anticipated that this will continue for the near future as many counselors are approaching retirement. This is true both state wide and nationally.

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FAQ for Instructional Media - Library Information

What is the difference in your program and an ALA accredited Masters? 

The Master of Education in Instructional Media - Library Information is specific to those individuals who want to be school library media specialists. A Master of Library Science from an ALA-accredited program is a broader degree, preparing those who might want to work in public, school, academic, or special libraries. UCO's program is specialized, and though it will not prepare those who want to work in other types of libraries, all course experiences, assignments, projects, etc. will be specific to K-12 school library media centers.  The program meets all AASL guidelines and is accredited through NCATE.

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What is required for me to be a school library media specialist?

In the state of Oklahoma, the school library certificate is graduate level. In order to obtain standard, K-12 certification, you must have: 1) teaching certification in another field first (i.e. elementary education, secondary English, etc.); 2) successful completion of a Masters degree; 3) all coursework aligned with the standard, K-12 school library media specialist certificate; and 4) successful passage of the State Certification exam in school library media. Note: the UCO Masters of Education in Instructional Media - Library Information includes requirements for #2 and #3 as well as preparation for #4. 

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How do I get certification as a school librarian if I already have a teaching certificate and a Masters?

If you already hold a valid teaching certificate and a Masters degree, you are required to take 24 hours of coursework - the 18 hours aligned with State Department requirements and six (6) hours of electives from other Instructional Media courses. 

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Do I have to have teaching certification to be a school library media specialist?

Yes, a prior certification area is required before you can obtain certification as a school library media specialist. If you have a bachelor's degree, but it is not in education, you will be required to take 28 hours of the professional teacher education sequence in addition to the 36 hour Masters requirement.

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Do I have to take a test to get in the program?

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is no longer required prior to acceptance to the program. A minimum of a 2.75 GPA is required, however, and a 3.0 must be maintained once in the graduate program.

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Are classes offered in the summer?

Yes, depending on UCO's summer budget, 2-3 program courses are offered per summer session.

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Are classes offered in the evening?

Yes, since the majority of students in the program are working educators, all program classes are offered as evening sections. Every attempt is made, based on budget, to "stack" two courses per night so students can take six hours per semester while attending only one night per week.

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Are classes offered by distance?

Though the program is not available completely at a distance, every attempt is being made to accommodate those students who must travel great distances to reach the UCO campus. Both web courses and Interactive television are currently used to make classes available at a distance. In addition, as time and workload allow, more courses will be transferred into the distance format.

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How long will it take me to finish the program?

It depends on your work and home schedule and your willingness to attend multiple nights and summers. Students have completed the program as quickly as one calendar year; some have taken as long as five years, but the average completion time is two years. Note: any coursework older than 5 years will go to half credit.

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FAQ for Instructional Media - Applied Technology

What does this degree prepare me to do?

In the state of Oklahoma, there is no standard certificate for teaching computers. There is a vocational business certificate and an endorsement, so most people teaching computers in the public schools in Oklahoma are working off another certificate. Many have picked up their technology skills through self-teaching. This program is for those educators who are already teaching technology and would like to pick up more structured training. It is also for those would like to become a technology administrator or teacher in the common schools. 

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Does this Masters align with a specific teaching certificate?

No - since there is currently no standard teaching certificate for computer technology in Oklahoma, this degree is not aligned with a specific certificate or certification exam. We have aligned the curriculum, however, with what we think would meet expectations for a standard certificate should one be added in the future.

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Do I have to take a test to get in the program?

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required prior to acceptance to the program. A minimum of a 2.75 GPA is required, however, and a 3.0 must be maintained once in the graduate program.

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Are classes offered in the summer?

Yes, depending on UCO's summer budget, 2-3 program courses are offered per summer session.

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Are classes offered in the evening?

Yes, since the majority of students in the program are working educators, all program classes are offered as evening sections. Every attempt is made, based on budget, to "stack" two courses per night so students can take six hours per semester while attending only one night per week.

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Are classes offered by distance?

There are currently a few "partial" distance courses available in this program. As time and workload allow, more courses will be transferred into the distance format.

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How long will it take me to finish the program?

It depends on your work and home schedule and your willingness to attend multiple nights and summers. Every attempt will be made to allow students who so desire to complete the program in 1-2 years. Note: any coursework older than 5 years will go to half credit.

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