Chadron State College

As a member of the Nebraska State College System, Chadron State College has been providing accessible learning opportunities for learners of all ages through traditional and distance education programs since 1911. With a home base in Nebraska's northwestern Pine Ridge region, CSC currently offers 65 undergraduate majors and eight master's programs to approximately 3,000 students from 43 states and 22 countries. State-of-the-art technology allows Chadron to instruct these eager students in relevant career fields such as education, school counseling, criminal justice, biology, health sciences and business. CSC also strives to keep the cost of top-quality education affordable through flexible, accessible programs for diverse learners especially military personnel as noted by G.I. Jobs and Military Friendly Schools®.

Chadron State College: Accreditation Details

Chadron State College holds regional accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Higher Learning Commission. This accreditation permits CSC to confer baccalaureate and graduate degrees. The following professional organizations have also accredited individual programs that adhere to their recommended curricular standards:

• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
• Council on Social Work Education Office of Social work Accreditation
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education

Furthermore, Chadron State College abides by regulations for online programs in states outside of Nebraska where students may reside.

Chadron State College: Application Requirements

General admission requirements state that prospective students must submit a complete application and requested documentation to be considered for undergraduate or graduate acceptance. First-time undergraduates should submit:

• Official high school transcripts or equivalents for GED or home-school programs
• Verified ACT or SAT scores
• Matriculation fee of $15

Transfers need to supply official transcripts from accredited colleges to receive credit consideration towards their stated degree completion program. Likewise, candidates for graduate programs should send:

• Official transcripts from accredited programs where they earned their degree
• Information about professional work history
• Verified GMAT or GRE scores if required by program of enrollment

International students should be prepared to send:

• Proof of English proficiency verified by TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT scores or approved alternative measures
• Documentation of visa status
• Financial declarations and certification

Chadron State College: Tuition and Financial Aid

CSC offers flat rate tuition plans for most programs meaning that per credit costs remain the same no matter how many credits are taken. Online rates run $246.00 and $307.50 per credit for undergraduate and graduate programs respectively. For undergraduates attending classes on campus, rates run slightly lower with residents paying $210.57 per credit. Out-of-state students choosing to study on campus pay only one dollar more per credit, or $211.57, through the Chadron State Eagle Rate plan. On-campus graduate classes cost $440.07 per credit. Students can also expect to pay fee assessments for lab courses, health care, activities, events, facilities use, capital improvement, technology and records maintenance.

With regard to tuition assistance, CSC participates in Federal, state and local aid programs. The college also offers many scholarships based on academic achievement, area of study or extracurricular activities. Assistance programs from these sources include the following for eligible students:

• Federal Student Aid Program, referred to as FAFSA
• Federal Work Study Program
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal PLUS Parent or Graduate Loans
• Federal Stafford or Perkins Loans
• Federal Direct Loans
• Army ROTC Scholarships
• Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty Scholarships for Reserve & National Guard Personnel
• GI Bill Education Benefits Program
• Military Tuition Assistance (active duty personnel)
• Nebraska Juvenile Justice Association Scholarship
• Nebraska Access College Early Scholarship for state high school students
• Nebraska ACE Plus Scholarship
• Nebraska Opportunity Grant
• Local Organizational Scholarships from retailers, businesses and non-profits
• CSC Non-resident Scholars Program
• CSC Scholarships for freshman, upperclassman and transfers (multiple program categories)
• CSC Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
• CSC Alumni Scholarship
• CSC Stephen & Janice Taylor Study Abroad Scholarship
• CSC Dr. Earl Strohbegn Memorial Graduate Scholarship
• CSC Graduate Assistantships

Online Master of Education in School Counseling at Chadron State College

Chadron State College provides degrees in many trending career areas that address community needs and societal issues. One of these programs leads to an online Master of Education in School Counseling that prepares graduates to work with diverse school-age populations in public and private schools. School counselors are critically important to the academic, social and vocational success of students. Those with degrees from accredited schools and school counseling programs are especially sought after to provide the resources and strategies necessary to improve school climates and encourage students to succeed across a variety of educational environments.

Interested candidates for this school counseling master's must hold a baccalaureate in education from an accredited school or have completed a state-approved transitional teaching program that included student teaching. Those wishing to work as high school counselors in Nebraska must also possess a current teaching certificate or be eligible to obtain one and have a minimum of two years of teaching experience by the time they complete the master's program.

The 39-credit graduate curriculum incorporates advanced knowledge about educational counseling theories and techniques with hands-on practices used in elementary, middle and secondary settings. Candidates explore the following instructional content:

• Counseling and communication skills
• Traditional and evolving counseling theories
• Counseling ethics and professional behaviors
• Advanced human and family development
• Foundations of assessment
• Counseling in multicultural contexts
• Counseling practices with children
• Counseling practices with adolescents
• Group counseling practices
• School counseling practices
• Career and lifestyle development
• Crisis counseling
• Educational research design and data analysis

Learned knowledge and skills are applied through supervised practicum and internship experiences. According to Nebraska state regulations, candidates must participate in internships that earn 450 clock hours for a K-6 counseling endorsement or 900 clock hours for a K-12 endorsement. Additionally, prospective school counselors who wish to obtain professional state licensure may need to take coursework covering treatment issues in addiction and mental health counseling.

The final step for graduates seeking to work in Nebraska requires taking the Praxis II test for School Counselors to become certified in this endorsement area. Candidates earning this degree who live in other states should check with their state educational agencies to find out specific certification and licensing requirements.

Becoming a professional, licensed school counselor can lead to rewarding careers helping children and young adults succeed in life. For those interested in earning a flexible, affordable, high-quality degree in this important field, the Chadron State College Master of Education in School Counseling may be worth investigating.