Counseling, MA - Counseling and Leadership (Squadron Commander)

Counseling: Counseling and Leadership (Squadron Commander)

Master of Arts (MA)

Program Delivery

On Campus

Total Credits

45 Credits

About the Program

military student in class

This emphasis in the Counseling master's degree program is a one-year, comprehensive curriculum for developing selected Majors in the Air Force for the important responsibility of leading a cadet squadron at the United States Air Force Academy.

This training program was piloted in 1999, formalized in 2003, and is a sustained collaboration between the UCCS College of Education's Department of Counseling and Human Services and the United States Air Force Academy.


Focus of Study

This inclusive program includes a 45-credit hour graduate curriculum, fieldwork, ongoing and topical colloquia, and personal and professional assessments designed to support counseling and leadership development. This degree program facilitates critical thinking, enhances interpersonal effectiveness, broadens perspectives on coaching and mentoring, develops influencing skills, and improves the student's ability to lead change and development among cadets.

The job description of a Squadron Commander, from COCI 36-3522, requires officers to be competent in mentoring, capable of leading, teaching, and evaluating cadets through all aspects of cadet and military life, able to enforce standards, demonstrate nearly impeccable role modeling, competent in guiding the squadron's leadership team, and skilled in counseling cadets, individually and as a group.


Program Requirements

Students are tapped by the United States Air Force for admission to this select program. Once enrolled, this one-year program features training with faculty from both the Department of Counseling and Human Services (UCCS) and the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership (USAFA).


Program Coursework

SemesterCourse
Summer
15 Credit Hours
  • AOCC 5010: Theories of Motivation & Behavior Change
  • AOCC 5020: Laboratory in Developmental Counseling
  • AOCC 5210: Characteristics of the Effective Leader
  • AOCC 5290: College Student Development
  • LEAD 5700: Introduction to Research and Statistics
Fall
15 Credit Hours
  • AOCC 5100: Group Dynamics and Group Leadership
  • AOCC 5250: Leader and Leadership Development
  • AOCC 5750: Mental Health Triage and First Aid
  • AOCC 6500: College Teaching and Learning
  • COUN elective
Spring
15 Credit Hours
  • AOCC 5330: Ethics and Character Development
  • AOCC 5600: Leading Diversity
  • AOCC 5280: Teams and Organizational Leadership
  • AOCC 5160: Field Work in Counseling and Leadership
  • COUN elective

For details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.


Comprehensive Exams

All students in the Counseling and Leadership program will participate in a comprehensive exam process during the third semester (spring) of their graduate program. The comprehensive exam process will consist of three parts: multiple-choice exam, written essay exam, and oral exam.

General Counseling and Leadership Knowledge
Courses covered:

  • Theories of Motivation and Behavior Change
  • Group Dynamics and Group Leadership
  • Introduction to Research and Statistics
  • Leading Diversity
  • Characteristics of an Effective Leader
  • Leader and Leadership Development

Specialty Knowledge and Skills related to Working with USAFA Cadets
Courses covered:

  • College Student Development
  • College Teaching and Learning
  • Career Development
  • Mental Health Triage and First Aid
  • Teams and Organizational Leadership

Self-awareness and Personal Growth Related to Counseling and Leadership
Courses covered:

  • Laboratory in Developmental Counseling
  • Elective courses in the Department of Counseling and Human Services
  • Field Experience

Admissions Details

To learn more about the general application process, please visit the program's Admissions page.

Additional resources for Admissions: