Program Overview
School Counseling (MSEd) Program
The School Counseling (MSEd) program is designed to train clinicians who are clinically insightful, capable of practicing in various clinical settings, and committed to serving a diverse population. The program values an education that promotes cultural humility, curiosity, empathy, critical thinking, self-awareness, ethical practice, advocacy, and an appreciation of human diversity.
Academic Plan
The academic plan for the School Counseling (MSEd) program is designated as GSC-MSED.
Total Credits
Students must earn at least 60 credits to complete the program.
Program Mission Statement
The mission of the School Counseling (MSEd) program is to train clinicians who are clinically insightful, capable of practicing in various clinical settings, and committed to serving a diverse population that reflects the fabric of New York City. The program aims to provide therapeutic interventions that are evidence-based, offer practical solutions to everyday concerns, foster personal insight, and promote self-efficacy and overall well-being.
Program Objectives
The program objectives for the School Counseling (MSEd) program are:
- Students develop a professional identity aligned with the roles and functions of professional school counselors.
- Students become effective counselors who use clinical skills and evidence-based strategies to improve the lives of their clients.
- Students apply ethical standards, principles, and legal considerations in their work with clients.
- Students develop and demonstrate multicultural humility, knowledge, skills, and advocacy by actively minimizing stereotyping, prejudice, and stigmatization.
- Students develop an awareness of and a strengths-based approach to human development across the lifespan, including the impact of family, community, and environmental factors, and apply strategies to promote wellness.
- Students demonstrate the competencies to work both individually and systemically within complex systems by advocating for access, equity, and social justice.
Advisors and Faculty
The advisors and faculty for the School Counseling (MSEd) program are:
- GoEun Na, Program Leader
- Tamara R. Buckley, Program Faculty
- Markus Bidell, Program Faculty
- Sophia Leno, Program Faculty
- Uzma Khan, Program Faculty
- Michelle Lask, Clinical Coordinator of Field Placements
- Hadeel Elder, Program Faculty/Fieldwork Site Development
- Valerie Lyons, Graduation, Certification and Administrative Advisor
Annual Report and Student Outcomes
The Annual Report and Counseling Programs Student Outcomes Report are provided in compliance with The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the body that accredits the Hunter College School of Education's program in school counseling.
Clinical Experiences
Hunter College School Counseling Program students are required to complete a minimum of 700 field hours in two different fieldwork sites, K to 5 (elementary) OR 6 to 8 (middle) AND 9 to 12 (high school), over three semesters through the Practicum and Internship courses.
Fieldwork Manual
The School Counseling Fieldwork Manual provides detailed information on the fieldwork requirements and procedures.
Practicum
Practicum is a one-semester placement, which may be completed in the fall or spring semester. Practicum requires students to be in the field a minimum of 100 hours per semester (approximately one full day each week).
Internship
Internship is a two-consecutive semester placement, which starts in the fall semester and is completed in the spring semester. Internship requires students to be in the field a minimum of 300 hours per semester (approximately three full days each week, totaling 600 hours for the academic year).
Graduation
Graduation is the official completion of the program and conferral of an academic degree. Students must apply for graduation using CUNYFirst the semester before the semester of their planned graduation and complete any outstanding requirements by the stated deadlines.
Certification and Licensure
This program leads to New York State certification in School Counseling. Students who are completing or have completed the program will apply for their certification through the New York State Education Department TEACH Online Services.
Initial Certification
The Initial Certificate is the entry-level certificate. Students apply and pay for their certification in their final semester. Candidates seeking certification must fulfill the following requirements before applying:
- Complete NY State Certification required workshops and submit to the Office of Academic and Students Affairs (OASA)
- Clear fingerprints with the New York State Education Department (NYSED)
Professional Certification
Once candidates have completed three years of counseling experience, they can apply for permanent certification. Candidates seeking permanent certification must fulfill or maintain the following requirements before applying:
- Maintain fingerprint clearance with the New York State Education Department (NYSED)
- Complete three years of verified counseling experience
- Verification of Mentoring
- Content Specialty Test (CST) School Counseling (if not already completed)
Transfer of Credits
A matriculated student may request a transfer of credit for a graduate-level course completed at another institution. To be eligible, the course must have been taken within the past five years and closely match the content of a required course in the student's Hunter College program. The request will be reviewed by faculty for equivalence. Graduate students are limited to 12 transfer credits.
Courses Permitted for Transfer
The program will review transfer of credit requests for the following courses:
- COCO 70000 Life Stage Developments
- COCO 70200 Theories of Counseling
- COCO 70300 Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
- COCO 70800 Measurement & Appraisal
- COCO 70900 Research Methods
- COCO 71100 Supervision & Administration
- COCO 71300 Career Counseling, College Readiness
- COCO 71500 Family Systems & Counseling Issues
- COUNS 71700 Foundations of School Counseling
- COUNS 72000 Culminating Seminar in School
- COUNS 72100 Counseling Interventions for Children and Adolescents
- COUNS 72200 School Based Consultation
- EDUC 72000 DASA, Health and Safety in Birth through 21
Transfer of Credit Not Approved
Transfer of Credit is never approved for the following courses:
- COCO 70100 Counseling Skills & Interviewing
- COCO 70600 Group Counseling
- COCO 70700 Multicultural Aspects of Counseling
- COCO 71800 Practicum in Counseling
- COUNS 71900 Advanced Counseling Skills and Contemporary Issues Seminar
- COUNS 72500 Internship in Counseling I
- COUNS 72600 Internship in Counseling II