Frequently Asked Questions

When are new graduate students accepted? Fall and Spring Semesters, but not during the summer sessions. Application Deadlines are Oct. 15 for Spring, and March 15 for Fall.

Do I have to take the GRE? Yes, you must take the GRE regardless of your grade point average. If you have a doctorate or a masters degree with a GRE less than eight years old, the Graduate School allows the Chair to waive the GRE requirement. Post graduate courses without a degree do not qualify.

How many hours can I take in the non-degree seeking status (also known as special student status)? No more than twelve (12) hours will be accepted by the Graduate School. Additional hours will not be transferred into the graduate program.

How many hours can I transfer into the program? No more than eight hours or three courses from other accredited colleges or universities, provided they were not used in a degree program. Any courses taken prior to receiving a degree from an institution (even if they were not required for the degree) are not eligible for transfer. Transferred courses must be at the graduate level and acceptable to the Department, and no courses older than seven years at the time the masters degree is applied for will be accepted toward the degree.

Can I have the required courses waived in the program? No. The only exception is transfer of direct equivalents from other Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) accredited graduate programs in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. Please note that this means courses will not be waived for work experience.

Are dual degree programs possible? Yes, this program is referred to as our Five Year Program (please note that the 5-Year program is currently under administrative review; no new applications are being accepted at this time). You must receive both degrees at the same time and complete the 54 hours of required courses in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling (no substitutions) plus 6 hours of Department approved electives. The electives may be required courses toward another masters degree.

Where can I get information about licensure? For licensure as a Mental Health Counselor, please visit Florida Department of Health - LMHC Info. For licensure as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, please visit Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

I was accepted, but haven't taken any classes for a few semesters. Do I need to reapply? You will need to reapply if you haven't taken any courses in a year.

I want to do my practicum next semester. What do I need to do?
1.) At approximately six weeks into a new semester, Dr. DuDell sends out a “Field Placement Announcement” requesting that all students interested in a field placement (Practicum I, II, or Internship) for the following semester (or in the case of Spring, for the following semester(s) since he asks for interest for both Summer and Fall). In this notice, he specifies a date by which the student must contact him and be placed in order to be eligible to register for the class for that following semester.
2.) All interested students must complete a Field Placement Application. If the student already has a site, they should email Dr. DuDell at gdudell@cas.usf.edu to notify him of your site placement and he will reply to give approval. They should then enter this site as their location on the Field Placement Application and forward this approval to Becky Karas at bkaras@cas.usf.edu.
3.) If they do not have a site, they should speak with Dr. DuDell, one of the Graduate Assistants, or consult the site list (the list is available in the GA office or on the department website). The student should speak with the placement site and arrange an interview toward the goal of working at that site the next semester for the appropriate number of hours. If the site is not listed as a pre-approved site placement, site approval must be given by Dr. DuDell and a Handbook for Field Supervisors and Agencies must be distributed.
4.) The student should then turn in the Field Placement Application to the GA or Department Office. A separate application must be filled out for Practicum I, Practicum II, and Internship. Also turn in proof of professional liability insurance to the GA. If insurance is not provided through your job, you can visit www.hpso.com and pay $20 for one year of insurance through Health Care Providers Service. The GA will notify Becky Karas when all of this paperwork has been turned in.
5.) When approval has been granted by Dr. DuDell and all the paperwork has been submitted to the Department, Becky will issue a permit to register for a Practicum or Internship class. Be aware that Internship permits are section specific, so if a student changes their mind about the section they wish to enroll in, they must notify Becky by email at bkaras@cas.usf.edu. Becky will send a copy of this correspondence to Dr. DuDell.
6.) After all of the previous steps have been completed and the student’s registration period has begun, the student can register for a Practicum or Internship class.

A final note: It is imperative that you obtain a copy of the USF Graduate Catalog and review the requirements and deadlines. There is also a website for the Graduate School, which contains relevant information and application forms. This is your responsibility, and it may save you significant problems later. The Student Handbook For Graduate Studies in Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling, available in the graduate office, SOC 204, will also be helpful.