Graveley Hall
Campus Box 8027
(208)236-2130
At times, a student's academic success may be negatively affected by psychological, emotional and interpersonal stress. To assist students in coping with these issues or to help them decide upon appropriate resources, the Counseling and Testing Center provides personal counseling and individual assessments. After the initial assessment of the student's counseling concerns, focused personal counseling services may be provided or a referral may be made. Crisis intervention and consultation with concerned faculty and staff regarding student's needs are two other important services available through the Counseling and Testing Center.
Credit courses, which currently include Stress Management, Self-fulfilling Behavior, and Career and Life Planning, are also taught by counseling staff. In addition, many personal development groups are offered each semester on such topics as: assertiveness, couples communication skills, interpersonal communication skills, self-esteem, grief, alcohol/drug issues, stress, procrastination, anger, and personality styles. Women's and Men's support groups are also part of the Counseling Center services.
Most services are on an appointment or sign-up basis. Because there are often waiting lists for individual counseling, students are urged to schedule appointments as early as possible. Individual counseling, personal development and support groups are available to, and free for, ISU students (paying full-time fees), faculty, and staff.
ISU counselors and psychologists have graduate degrees and annually attend continuing education seminars. They have all passed certification tests and continuing education standards set by the National Board of Certified Counselors or the American Psychological Association and are licensed by the State of Idaho as counselors or psychologists. Our graduate intern counselors who are pursuing masters or doctorate level degrees also work in the Center and are regularly supervised by appropriately trained staff.
Selecting a major, an occupation, and a career path are essential decisions for college students. Since there are over 20,000 occupations from which to choose, ISU provides career counseling to verify or clarify occupational choices. Students who have gone through a career decision-making process are more likely to complete their college degrees or certificates, according to recent studies.
The career counseling available to students and prospective students is designed to clarify appropriate career options by assessing personal interests, abilities, values, and work preferences. Our nationally certified and state licensed career counselors work with clients utilizing interest inventories, a computerized career information system, a comprehensive career library, and individual and group career counseling. A one-credit course, "Career and Life Planning," is offered as are short workshops on making career and college major choices. Moderate fees cover the cost of processing the interest inventory and utilizing the career computer. There are no fees for individual career counseling or use of the career library and no appointment is necessary to start the process. Non-students are also welcome to use these career counseling services.
The Center administers over 50 national and several institutional tests
including: college entrance exams (ACT); college credit through
examination programs (CLEP); high school equivalency exams (GED);
graduate school admissions exams (GRE); professional school admission
exams (LSAT, GMAT, MAT, etc.); teacher certification, (NTE);
professional certification exams (Real Estate, Social Work, Dental
Hygiene, etc.); correspondence tests; and some ISU departmental exams
(library skills, English placement, etc.). Personality inventories and
career tests may be offered in conjunction with counseling. Fees vary
with each test.