WHY PURSUE COUNSELING AT EIU?
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School counseling students have the option to graduate with both the Professional
Educator License (PEL) and LPC licensure. Those who choose to do so have a competitive
edge when it comes to applying to jobs within school districts. Principals see the
value in hiring a school counselor who is also a licensed therapist, as those professionals
can best address the mental health needs of students.
Both licenses offer career flexibility within the counseling profession. Graduates of the School Counseling program can choose to work in school or clinical settings once dually licensed. Obtaining both licenses takes advantage of all that EIU’s School Counseling program has to offer. Students can pursue both licenses by enrolling in their regular 60-credit hour program.
Practicum and internships placements begin in the second semester of coursework. These practical experiences combine coursework with field experience conducted in a setting as similar as possible to that in which you will be seeking employment. The nature of this experience should be very much like that of a regular counseling position, but with intensive supervision both on-site and on-campus. Practicum and internship sites and supervisors play a pivotal role in helping you begin the transition into your professional identity.
EIU is proud to be one of a few programs that offer graduate coursework in play therapy. Enrolling in both the Introduction to Play Therapy and Advanced Play Therapy courses offers prospective students a comprehensive and sequential foundation in the theory and application of play therapy, each approved by the Association for Play Therapy (APT) to count toward 135 of the 150 required hours for becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). The Introduction course provides essential knowledge of play therapy history, principles, and basic techniques, equipping students with a solid grounding in developmentally appropriate therapeutic approaches for children. Building on that foundation, the Advanced course deepens clinical skills through focused training on complex cases, specialized populations, and integration of play therapy into diverse clinical settings. Additionally, Dr. Yoder hosts an annual play therapy conference where, alumni, and mental health professionals can earn additional APT continuing education credits. Together, these educational experiences not only fulfill a significant portion of the educational requirement for RPT credentialing, but also enhance students' clinical competence, confidence, and marketability in child-focused mental health professions.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
- SCHOLARSHIP - Professor Paul Ward left a generous endowment to the Department of Counseling and Higher Education which allows us to offer all newly admitted full-time students in the counseling program a scholarship ranging from $2000-$5000 for their first year.
- ASSISTANTSHIP - Many of our students secure Graduate Assistantships across campus which waives tuition (students are responsible for fees) and pays a monthly stipend.
Apply to the program
The M.S. in Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP).
- Deadline for submitting materials: Jan. 31, 2026. (NOTE: Please make application to the Graduate School in a timely manner to assure that the department receives the items by Jan. 31). Application to the Graduate School and Counseling program are both done in MyEIU.
- The 2026 Interview day will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, for those who are invited to interview. This interview is mandatory to be considered for admission.
- All new fully-admitted students will be considered for the Paul Ward Scholarship of up to $2,500 for your first year.
- School Counseling: Students are required to submit a criminal background investigation. Please contact the office at che@eiu.edu for more details.
All students can apply to the graduate school through MyEIU. The graduate school requires:
- A copy of your official transcripts
- A $30 application fee
Learn more about the Graduate School admissions process.
Applicants also apply to the Counseling program in MyEIU.
The program application requires:
- Email addresses for two references who are familiar with your academic work and potential for graduate study.
- Current resume or c-v.
- A short essay discussing your intent to become a counselor. This essay will also be used for the Paul Ward Scholarship application.
If you are interested in a graduate assistantship, you also need to submit a graduate assistantship application.
Graduate assistantships are typically awarded in accordance with the academic year. Assistantship applications are normally accepted through the middle of February; a decision for the next academic year comes within a month. For more information about graduate assistantships, please click here.
Primary Hiring Agent: Dr. Catherine Polydore
Contact Information: cpolydore@eiu.edu or (217) 581-2400
Qualifications: Acceptance into the Master of Science in Counseling (either School
or Clinical track)
Hiring Process:
1) Admission Interview
2) Selected admitted students are asked to interview for the departmental GA.
WELCOME INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
The Counseling Programs welcome applicants from across the globe. We currently have students from Dominica, Ghana, Russia and Turkmenistan. International students have access to most graduate assistantships, as domestic students. However, the application process is a little different for international students and may vary slightly based on your country of origin. Please note the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) addresses all immigration questions/concerns and requirements (e.g. English language proficiency, passport copies, etc.). While it is not necessary to have these to be admitted into the program, you must submit ALL required immigration documents before an I20 can be issued.
- Can I apply for the spring semester?
No. The program is cohort based and begins every fall. This means that everyone begins in the fall, and take the same classes together, through the completion of the program. On rare occasions, a student may request a transfer of credits from another master's program. However, final approval is done on a case by case basis.
- Can I apply if I have a bachelor’s degree in a different field?
Yes, in many cases, you can still apply to the program even if your bachelor’s is in a different field.
- Are there any internship or practicum opportunities to provide hands-on experience?
Yes, our program requires students to undergo 1,000 hours of clinical experience prior to graduating. Our students are seen as counseling interns at grade schools, colleges, community mental health facilities, and in private practice.
- Can I pursue this program on a part-time basis?
The Counseling program at EIU is cohort based and therefore the whole cohort starts in the fall semester of every year.
- Do you offer any networking or professional development opportunities for students?
Networking and professional development opportunities are provided through conferences, workshops and partnerships with professional organizations in the field like IL-APT, ACA, CSI and many others.
For more information regarding being an international applicant, please visit the Office of International Students and Scholars.
OISS