Counseling and Human Resource Development Program
Become a counselor through one of our Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs-accredited 60-credit hour master’s programs.
Typically, full-time students graduate in 2.5 years in the following specializations:
- Administration of Student Affairs (M.Ed.)
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.S.)
- Marriage and Family Counseling (M.S.)
- College Counseling (M.S.)
- Rehabilitation Counseling (M.S.)
- School Counseling (M.S.)
These programs are designed to implement your passion for supporting vulnerable and underserved populations. Our premier programs build theoretical expertise alongside hands-on skills training to ensure graduates achieve robust, practice-ready counseling skills for the workforce. To ensure eligibility and preparation for professional certification and licensure, students complete a rigorous core curriculum, perform specialized coursework in their selected subject area of practice and pass a comprehensive examination.
Graduate students are fully eligible to take the National Counselor Examination to become a national certified counselor six months before graduation.
The curriculum is structured to meet the professional standards of the South Dakota Board of Regents.
Counseling Real World Practice
The counseling program provides rigorous, evidence-based preparation for impactful careers. We prepare students to navigate complex human dynamics across educational, clinical, higher education and community settings, meeting the growing demand for skilled, culturally responsive leaders.
The program’s primary aim is to develop practitioners who are prepared to deliver effective assessment, prevention, intervention and strategic development services within their specialization environments. Through a comprehensive curriculum, students build a strong professional identity while gaining the knowledge, skills and ethical grounding necessary for contemporary counseling practice.
Additionally, the program prepares graduates to:
- Develop a professional identity grounded in ethical and legal standards.
- Demonstrate multicultural awareness, knowledge and skills for counseling and program development.
- Apply developmental and evidence-based approaches to prevention and intervention.
- Integrate career development and assessment models that connect education, human growth and the world of work.
The goal of the counseling and human resource development program at South Dakota State University is to develop and prepare students to become proficient and accomplished professionals in their chosen specialty area. As graduates, they will display and exemplify a high level of professional integrity, multicultural competence, wellness, resilience, advocacy and intellectual curiosity.
2025 vital statistics for each program in the department.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
Number of graduate: 32
Program completion: 96%
Placement rate: 100%
NCE Pass Rate (National Pass Rate is 91%): 100%
Enrollment: 70
College Counseling Program
Number of graduates: 3
Program completion: 100%
Placement rate: 100%
NCE Pass Rate (National Pass Rate is 91%): N/A
Enrollment: 7
Marriage and Family Counseling Program
Number of graduates: 5
Program completion: 100%
Placement rate: 100%
NCE Pass Rate (National Pass Rate is 91%): N/A
Enrollment: 15
Rehabilitation Counseling Program Under CORE Standards
Number of graduates: 5
Program completion: 100%
Placement rate: 100%
NCE Pass Rate (National Pass Rate is 91%): N/A
Enrollment: 13
School Counseling Program
Number of graduates: 7
Program completion: 100%
Placement rate: 100%
NCE Pass Rate (National Pass Rate is 91%): 100%
Enrollment: 19
The graduate student internship program is an experiential course that allows students to participate in activities and to carry professional responsibilities specific to their respective fields under the direct supervision of a qualified professional. A significant number of graduates speak highly of their internship experience and regard their site supervisor as one of the most influential people in their professional development.
Play therapy is a specialized set of knowledge, skills and attitudes for working with children that offers a safe and trusting environment to address emotional, behavioral and cognitive difficulties. Play therapy coursework is completed in a cohort model. Play therapy studies at SDSU include at least seven graduate credits.
Accreditation
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
The M.S. in counseling and human resource development specializing in clinical mental health counseling, college counseling and school counseling have been fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs since Nov. 1, 1994. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. The program is currently accredited under the 2001 standards and will be reviewed again in 2017.
The rehabilitation counseling program was first accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education in 2009. Since its merger with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, the program has been accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs since July 1, 2017. This program is designed to prepare graduates to be eligible for licensure in counseling and certification through the Commission for Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs accreditation provides recognition that the content and quality of the counseling and human resource development program has been evaluated and meets standards set by the profession. Graduates from Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs-accredited programs score higher on national counselor exams, are perceived by others to have better counseling abilities, obtain state licensing easier and are eligible to waive two years of supervised field work after graduation that is required for the national certified counselor credential offered through the National Board of Certified Counselors.
Resources for Counseling Students
Research
Solution-focused brief therapy research from members and students who were fortunate to learn from inspiring leaders Insoo Kim Berg and Steve de Shazer (both now deceased) wish to keep their teachings available to others.
- Email Jay Trenhaile
- Counseling People with Developmental Disabilities
- General Principles for Developmental Disabilities
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy
- Solution-Focused Approach
- Anxiety: Therapeutic Intervention
- Grief: Therapeutic Intervention
- Response to Grief: Crisis Management Plan
- Social Stories: Therapeutic Intervention
- Warm-Up/Attention Skills: Therapeutic Intervention
- Miscellaneous Therapeutic Intervention
- Resources
