Program Overview
Master of Arts in School Counseling
The Master of Arts in School Counseling program is designed to foster the intellectual, social, spiritual, vocational, personal, and professional development of individuals throughout the life span. The program is grounded in research and shaped by the needs of schools, community agencies, and universities that require the services of professional counselors.
Program Overview
The program combines theoretical and experiential threads, starting from the first semester. Upon completion, counselors-in-training are expected to emerge with certain knowledge, skills, and dispositions, enabling them to:
- Assess, facilitate, and guide individual development
- Enhance experiences that further human development and ameliorate those that hinder optimum development
- Work with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Engage in inquiry with respect to emerging professional thought and practice
- Enhance their ability to be empathetic, caring human service providers
Admission Requirements
Applicants for admission into the master's degree program in School Counseling must have:
- Earned a baccalaureate degree
- Suitable preparation in the behavioral sciences
Consideration will be given for teaching experience and other applicable experiences. Students without relevant background may be required to take prerequisite courses. Additional requirements include:
- A Narrative Statement of Interest in the counseling program
- Two letters of reference
- An interview with the Director (recommended)
Program Planning
The approved degree program consists of 60 credits of coursework, including:
- A major paper
- A one-semester practicum
- A two-semester internship
Periodic consultation with an advisor is required to ensure proper sequence and progress in developing competencies as a counselor. Program participants must provide evidence of acquiring required competencies and meeting standards through:
- Periodic performance reviews
- Completion of course and program requirements
- Maintaining a B or better average in coursework
New York State Certification
Upon completion of the Master of Arts degree, students will fulfill the requirements for Provisional certification as a school counselor, provided they also complete:
- SAVE (Safe Schools Against Violence in Education) requirements
- Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting requirements
- DASA (Dignity for All Students Act) training Students must file an application online with the State Education Department and contact the office of Graduate Education to be recommended for certification.
Degree Program
The 60-credit M.A. program in School Counseling requires the following courses:
- EDUG 713: Methods of Educational and Psychological Research (Online Synchronous)
- EDUG 721: Introduction to Counseling Practices and Theories (Online Synchronous)
- EDUG 722: Techniques in Counseling & Therapy
- EDUG 714: Psychology of Career Counseling (Online Synchronous)
- EDUG 723: Life Span Development (Online Synchronous)
- EDUG 725: Group Counseling
- EDUG 727: Organization and Administration of the Guidance Program
- EDUG 732: Practicum in Counseling
- EDUG 780: Psychopathology (Online Synchronous)
- EDUG 807: Measurement and Assessment for Counselors
- EDUG 821: Internship in School Counseling I
- EDUG 827: Internship in School Counseling II
- EDUG 851: Data Analysis and Report Writing in Educational & Psychological Research (Online Synchronous)
- EDUG 853: Counseling the College Applicant (Online Synchronous)
- EDUG 859: Approaches to Multicultural Counseling: Theory and Practice (Online Synchronous) or EDUG 817: Cross Cultural Counseling
- EDUG 867: Professional Orientation to Counseling: Standards, Law, Ethics, and Evaluation
- EDUG 866: Leadership, Supervision and Consultation in Counseling
- EDUG 850: Advanced Group Counseling
Recommended Electives
Students must complete 6 credits of recommended electives, which can include:
- EDUG 802: Foundations, Theory and Practice of Bilingual General and Special Education (Online Synchronous)
- EDUG 726: Foundations of Mental Health Counseling
Total Credits
The total credits required for the Master of Arts in School Counseling program is 60.