Admission

Application deadlines can be found in the Graduate Programs Admissions and Regulations section of the Graduate Calendar at www.unbc.ca/calendar/graduate/admissions.

Admission to the MEd Counselling program at the Prince George campus occurs each September; deadline for applications is December 15 of the prior year. Admission to the program at regional campuses does not normally occur each year and will vary in response to demand and resources.

In addition to the admission application requirements outlined in General Admission of the Graduate Admissions and Regulations, priority will be given to those applicants applying for the MEd Counselling program who have (a) graduated with a Baccalaureate degree a minimum of two years prior to the admission date to which they are applying, and (b) obtained some paid or unpaid work experience in a helping capacity at a counselling-related or teaching-related setting since receiving their Baccalaureate degree.

Applicants are also required to submit a Curriculum Vitae or résumé that indicates the number of hours in each employment or volunteer position. A list of any scholarships or publications should also be included.

Criminal Record Review

In addition to meeting the admission application requirements outlined in General Admission of the Graduate Admissions and Regulations, all applicants to the MEd Counselling program are required to submit a Criminal Record Check search prior to the first day of classes in their entry semester.

Domestic applicants must supply a Criminal Record Check search result after receiving an offer of admission and before the first day of classes; the search result is not required with the application. International applicants must submit a Criminal Record Check search result provided by their local police authority upon application, and will also be required to submit a British Columbia Criminal Record Check if offered admission. The Office of the Registrar will provide instructions to domestic and international applicants who have accepted offers of admission on how to complete a British Columbia Criminal Record Check.

Requirements

Provided that such courses have not been associated with the receipt of either a degree or diploma from UNBC or another educational institution, students may apply to the Dean for up to 6 credit hours of previously completed graduate-level coursework that is equivalent to that completed in the MEd program. Where equivalent courses have been associated previously with the receipt of either a degree or diploma, students are permitted to elect alternative courses from the MEd program to satisfy the requirements for the degree.

Students in an MEd program may take up to 6 credit hours of elective coursework from UNBC programs other than Counselling or from other institutions under the Western Deans' Agreement (students require permission of their Academic Supervisor and the Chair).

Thesis Requirement

The thesis route emphasizes academic study, research, and the successful completion of a thesis. This program route is designed to develop each student's ability to evaluate theory and practice, and conduct research that contributes to the counselling discipline. The thesis route requires the successful completion of a minimum of 40 credit hours of graduate coursework and includes 9 credit hours of supervised research culminating in the completion of a thesis and the successful defence of it in an oral examination.

Project Requirement

The project route emphasizes the study of theory and practice, and the successful completion of an innovative and applied project that addresses a particular aspect of counselling support and practice. This program route is designed to develop a student's ability to evaluate and improve professional practice in counselling. The project route requires the successful completion of a minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate coursework and includes 6 credit hours of supervised applied research and development culminating in a non-defendable project.

Comprehensive Examination Requirement

The comprehensive examination route requires the successful completion of a comprehensive examination that evaluates a student's knowledge of theory, research, and practice in his/her field of study. This comprehensive examination route is designed to enhance and reinforce a student's knowledge of both theory and practice, as well as their interrelationship. The comprehensive examination route requires the successful completion of a minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate coursework including 3 credit hours awarded upon the successful completion of a written comprehensive examination at the end of the student's program.

Application can be made to the Counselling program to enter a thesis or project route after having completed at least 12 credit hours of coursework.

One of the following research courses is required; the other may be taken as elective credit:

EDUC 602-4	Quantitative Research Design and Data Analysis
EDUC 610-3	Qualitative Analysis in Education

Elective Courses

EDUC 603-4	Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis
EDUC 633-3	Human Development: Implications for Education
EDUC 692-3	Special Topics  (Assessment in Counselling, Child and Youth Counselling, Multicultural Counselling)
EDUC 693-3	Directed Reading
EDUC 715-3	Career Counselling
EDUC 716-3	Clinical Counselling
EDUC 795-3	Research Seminar

Thesis, Project or Comprehensive Examination

EDUC 797-3	Comprehensive Examination
EDUC 798-6	MEd Project
EDUC 799-9	MEd Thesis