Adams State University

As part of beautiful southern Colorado's landscape, Adams State University provides access to higher education opportunities for students from all walks of life. The school began as a regional teachers' college in 1921 and has since expanded into a comprehensive, coeducational state institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs in more than 38 disciplines as well as a Doctor of Philosophy program in Counselor Education and Supervision. In order to reach as many prospective learners as possible, ASU emphasizes an instructional delivery model based on hybrid educational formats including distance learning courses. This approach reflects the school's commitment to inclusive education through affordable, flexible degree programs that prepare graduates for global careers to address society's needs. Adams State has the honor of being Colorado's first higher education institution to have been awarded the federal designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution and has received Title V grants in support of serving this population of learners since 2000. The university has also been recognized for providing a prison college program that allows inmates to earn degrees and increase their chances of future success in the community.

Adams State University: Accreditation Details

Regional accreditation has been awarded to Adams State University by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools through the Higher Learning Commission. Regional accreditation extends to all of ASU's programs, including degrees earned through distance learning formats. Additional accrediting organizations include the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs, the Teacher Education Accrediting Council, and the National Association of Schools of Music. ASU also holds approval from the American Association of University Women.

Adams State University: Application Requirements

Regardless of program type, all prospective students interested in earning degrees at ASU must meet submission deadlines by sending:

• Official transcripts from any educational institutions attended or a verified GED report
• Completed online application,
• $30 nonrefundable processing fee.

Other criteria also apply for specific student groups. Undergraduates and transfer students with at least 13 transferable credits must send verified ACT, SAT or CLEP scores. These do not need to include the writing portion of the test. Transfer students with 12 or less transferable credits and a cumulative GPA below 2.30 should consider submitting a personal statement and letter of recommendation. International students must ensure all information is submitted in English. They also need to provide proof of English language proficiency by sending verified scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language assessment, verified scores from the SAT or ACT, or documentation of reaching Level 109 for English as Second Language high school programs. Finally, graduate or doctoral candidates must meet GPA requirements for individual programs, submit verified GRE scores, and attend selection interviews.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Adams State University prides itself on offering excellent financial aid counseling services for its students. ASU estimates that 91 percent of students in full-time programs qualify for some type of financial aid and receive annual amounts averaging $12,300 through loans, awards, grants and scholarships. Financial aid resources come from federal, state and university institutions in the following forms:

• Federal Student Aid program
• Federal work study awards
• Federal Pell grants
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
• Direct Stafford loans from the U.S. Department of Education
• Graduate PLUS loans
• Perkins loans
• Colorado Student grant
• Experience Colorado scholarship
• Promising Scholar award
• Valedictorian scholarship
• Academic Achievement award
• Milestone scholarship
• Junior and Senior Room Waivers
• San Luis Valley High School Promise
• ASU Foundation scholarships
• ASU work study programs
• Direct lending programs

Available Online Degrees at Adams State University

Distance learning formats at Adams State University create ways for potential students to pursue higher education degrees while working around job and family schedules that may not be conducive to taking traditional campus classes. ASU understands this and has created programs at all levels to address the learning needs of students. State-of-the-art distance learning courses can be taken completely online for all curricular content or in conjunction with face-to-face classes instructed in local settings outside the ASU campus. Content delivery can also be completed through correspondence coursework.

One of the most interesting online programs offered at ASU is the university's first doctoral program in Counselor Education and Supervision. This degree offers a broad range of opportunities for professional counselors to practice in clinical and academic settings as practitioners, program supervisors, researchers and faculty instructors. By assuming positions of leadership, they are able to influence counseling practices, guide future generations of counseling professionals, and affect greater changes to outreach services in their communities.

The 66-credit Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision emphasizes advanced courses in core content areas, research tools, clinical applications, dissertation requirements and approved electives. Candidates need to complete the following courses:

• Psychological theories and practices
• Diagnostic assessments
• Counseling skills and techniques
• Professional research methods, statistics and publication methods
• Multicultural issues
• Consultation and supervision
• Instructional theories in counselor education
• Individual and group counseling practices
• Professional ethics, advocacy and leadership in counseling careers
• Program evaluation and grant writing
• Dissertation studies

In addition to these studies, candidates must also complete a 100-hour practicum in counseling with 40 hours being in direct service to clients and a 600-hour internship. The internship provides in-depth, supervised experiences in community or agency settings. These can be arranged in on-site locations for those who are not located in the ASU region. The internship may involve teaching graduate level classes in counseling, participating in counselor education activities, conducting research with supervising faculty and participating in clinical counseling sessions.

The Ph.D in Counselor Education and Supervision is designed to be completed over a four-year time frame for full-time candidates. Enrolled students can discuss options for completing the degree over a longer length of time with ASU supervisors. Personal outcomes for program graduates include employing advanced counseling practices across work settings, becoming leaders in supervisory and educational positions, using research and publication experience to advance the profession, and being more highly qualified to take advantage of career advancement opportunities. If leading others in the counseling profession sounds appealing, then an online doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Adams State University might be an option to consider.