Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education (CHSE)

The Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education (CHSE) has top ranking programs in U.S. News and World Report, 2021:  Counseling and Personnel Services (ranked #1), Higher Education (ranked #10), and Special Education (ranked #14). Our mission is to prepare scholars and practitioners to become leaders in administration, counseling, policy, psychological services, and special education. We promote excellence in education and human services across the spectrum of abilities and individuals differences, from birth to adulthood, in a wide range of settings.

Our dynamic and diverse group of faculty representing seven specialty areas provides innovative and exemplary education in our graduate and undergraduate programs that are at the forefront of their disciplines and emphasize excellence in scholarship and professional practice. Our department offers the following: Ph.D. programs in Counseling Psychology, School Psychology, Higher Education, Student Affairs, International Education Policy, and Special Education prepare scholars and researchers committed to the advancement of knowledge and practice in a variety of educational settings and contexts; an Ed.D. that prepares educational leaders for 21st Century schools; and a wide variety of Master’s degrees to prepare practitioners to work in the field of Student Affairs, Higher Education and International Education Policy as well as to become certified as School Counselors or Special Education teachers.