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 an air officer commanding or 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.

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 an Air Officer 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.

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).

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

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
• AOC Field Experience

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

Additional resources for Admissions:

• Tuition Rate
• Cost of Tuition Estimator
• Financial Aid
• Scholarships