School Counseling, MEd

Program code: COUN-MED

School Counselors (PreK-12) – To qualify for PreK-12 institutional endorsement and commonwealth certification, students must complete a 60-credit hour, competency-based program to include a series of counseling skills courses and practica at the elementary and secondary school levels, as well as a 600-hour field experience under the supervision of a Pennsylvania certified school counselor. The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Programs (CAEP).

Admission Criteria

While teaching experience is not a prerequisite for program admission or school counselor certification in Pennsylvania, candidates for school certification must meet additional Pennsylvania Department of Education standards that include 3 additional credits in Special Education/Working with Students with Disabilities and 2 credits in working with English Language Learners. These additional requirements can be met through previous undergraduate or graduate coursework. Applications for certification MUST provide evidence of this coursework to be eligible for certification endorsement.

Prospective students for the Master of Education and school certification programs must meet departmental admissions requirements and procedures in addition to those of the School of Graduate Studies and Research. Prospective students should contact the Graduate Coordinator to determine these requirements. Applicants are required to attend an admissions workshop as the final step in the admissions process and should contact the Graduate Coordinator to obtain deadlines for completed applications to be received by the School of Graduate Studies and Research.

Program Requirements

GSR 615 - Elements of Research Credits: 3
COUN 613 - Counseling Children Credits: 3
COUN 615 - Counseling Across the Life Span Credits: 3
COUN 617 - Basic Counseling Skills Credits: 3
COUN 618 - Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Counseling Credits: 3
COUN 621 - Introduction to Professional School Counseling Credits: 3
COUN 624 - Assessment Procedures for School Counselors Credits: 3
COUN 628 - Management of a Professional School Counseling Program Credits: 3
COUN 636 - Career Counseling Credits: 3
COUN 637 - Counseling Theories Credits: 3
COUN 639 - Group Counseling Theory and Experience Credits: 3
COUN 659 - Secondary School Counseling Practicum Credits: 3
COUN 667 - Elementary School Counseling Practicum Credits: 3
COUN 672 - Counseling and Consulting Within Systems Credits: 3
COUN 677 - Crisis and Trauma Counseling Credits: 3
COUN 682 - Counseling Students/Clients with Disabilities Credits: 3
COUN 720 - Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice in Counseling Credits: 3
COUN 755 - Field Experience Credits: 6
Elective Credits: 3

Total 60 cr.

For current students, an annual evaluation of academic, clinical, and professional competence will be made. Students will receive formal feedback based on the outcome of the evaluation results and a joint effort will be made to remediate any deficiencies. Serious deficiencies may result in recommendations for remedial work or termination from the program. Students must pass all practicum experiences with a B or better in order to advance to internship/field experience.