The Graduate Counseling Programs have four student organizations
Graduate Student Counseling Organization (GSCO)
The Graduate Student Counseling Organization (GSCO) is a student ran organization that aids in skill building, theory concentration, and networking. With the help of faculty, staff, and counseling professionals, GSCO provides continuous learning, peer supervision, and professional support. We service both current students and alumni of the Texas Wesleyan University graduate counseling program. Come join us in strengthening our knowledge of the counseling field while developing a strong alumni network. Please visit our website at www.gsco-twu.org for more information about the exciting ventures GSCO has in store.
What will gain by being a part of this organization?
- A stronger unity of students through collaboration, networking, and belonging
- A mentor system of the more seasoned students working with the new students
- A mentor system for graduate students with undergrad counseling students
- A lasting connection with alumni
- A collection of knowledge about the next step or possible career focus
- A group of students dedicated to the success of the university that can speak with students interested in our program
Texas Wesleyan Counseling Honor Society
The Honors Society seeks to recognize students’ excellent achievement in the Texas Wesleyan Graduate Counseling Program. Starting in the spring semester of 2009, students who meet the credit hour requirements will seek candidacy into the Honor Society. Students who wish to become candidates complete “A Request for Honor Society Candidacy” to request consideration for initiation into the society. The student must hold the requisite GPA and the requisite credit hours to submit a “Request for Honor Society Candidacy.” The student’s advisor and two other professors must recommend the student’s candidacy. The Program Chair and the Dean of the School of Education must also approve the Request. The Honor Society initiates candidates each semester, usually in the semester’s last month. The Honor Society seeks to provide enrichment opportunities to students in the Graduate Counseling Program. Once the Society is a year old—spring, 2009—the Society will organize officers and plan and announce its planned enrichment programs. Dr. Jon Crook currently serves as the Society’s faculty sponsor.
The Texas Wesleyan Counseling Honor Society has three categories of membership:
- Associate Level: Undergraduates
- Professional Level: Graduate Students
- Alumni: Program Graduates
Who is considered for the Honors Society?
For the Associate Level (Undergraduates)
> 3.75 in all counseling courses taken at Texas Wesleyan up to the start of the second semester of the senior year
For the Professional Level (Graduate Students)
> 3.75 for Cum Laude Level
> 3.90 for Magna Cum Laude Level
= 4.00 for the Summa Cum Laude Level
Please contact Dr. Jon Crook, Counseling Honor Society Advisor, at jccrook@txwes.edu for additional information.
Texas Wesleyan Graduate Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA)
Mission Statement and General Information:
- To advocate for issues (e.g. legislation and university policies) affecting the *GLBT community and to serve as a voice for this group on campus.
- To give support in spirit and in actuality to Wesleyan’s undergraduate GSA ( “WGSA”)
- To help educate members and other students, staff, and faculty about GLBT concerns.
- To advocate for a safe and secure environment in which GLBT students, faculty, and staff feel comfortable in “coming out.” to their peers.
- To become more familiar with the cultural uniqueness and special challenges faced by our future clients who may be members of this group.
*GLBT=Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered
You are encouraged to participate if you have a friend or family member who is gay or if you just want more information about this special population. The Graduate GSA was founded in the fall of 2007 and currently has about a dozen members. It is not officially affiliated with the national advocacy group PFLAG www.pflag.org but shares many of its goals.
If you are interested:
The faculty advisor is Dr. Edita Ruzgyte- eruzgyte@txwes.edu, (817) 531-4468. The founding president is Linda M. Lee- totga5829@sbcglobal.net, (817) 885-8657. Membership is open to students and faculty of any discipline, and university staff. Meetings are generally held monthly on the second Tuesday at 5:15 p.m.
Electronic Journal
The Texas Wesleyan Graduate Counseling program will start to publish an electronic scholarly journal in fall, 2009. The journal [currently not named] provides an opportunity for student and faculty publications in the therapeutic and school counseling fields and is open to all Texas Wesleyan faculty members and scholars throughout the United States. Two students and two professors will comprise the journal’s editorial board. The board will establish subject matter and manuscript guidelines and review manuscripts submitted and choose those for publication. Initially, the journal will publish two editions annually: fall semester and spring semester—roughly November and May. Dr. Jon Crook currently serves as the journal’s faculty sponsor.
Please contact Dr. Jon Crook at jccrook@txwes.edu for additional information.
