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School Counseling (M.Ed.)

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
PETERSON HALL
206-281-2214
GRADADMISSIONS@SPU.EDU

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Be sure to read this important overview and information, including application information, about outcomes for graduate students in the master of education in school counseling program.

A School Counseling "Certificate Only" program is also available for those who already hold a master's or other advanced degree.

MASTER OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOL COUNSELING

The Master of Education in School Counseling program is designed to prepare individuals for a school counseling position in the elementary, middle, or high school.

This degree is nationally accredited by the , and its successful completion will qualify the student for a PK–12 certificate as a school counselor.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

A year-long (9-credit) internship comprises a part of the degree program in school counseling. This vital, integrative experience in which students conduct supervised counseling in a school setting, has as its primary objective the provision of practical experiences in the duties and activities of the school counselor.

The internship includes a minimum of 600 hours participation in a variety of meaningful activities related to the competencies required by the state of Washington knowledge base for school counselors (WAC 181-78A-270), as well as those recommended by the School of Education.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended, but not required for admission, that applicants for this program have previously obtained experience working as an educator (e.g., teacher, para-educator, teacher's assistant) and/or a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, education, or a related field with one to two years' professional experience assisting children.

Exceptions must be approved through the chair of school counseling by calling 206-281-2286.

SCHOOL COUNSELING: MASTER'S DEGREE WITH ESA CERTIFICATION SCHOOL COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS (72 credits)

Professional Core (15 credits)
EDU 6085 Moral Issues in Education (3)
EDU 6120 American Education: Past and Present (3)
EDU 6655 Human Development and Principles of Learning (3)
EDU 6975 Interpreting and Applying Educational Research I (3)
EDU 6976 Interpreting and Applying Educational Research II (3)

Major Courses (48 credits)

EDCO 6130 Strengths Based Classroom Management for School Counselors (3)

EDCO 6600 Introduction to Systems Theory (2)
EDCO 6670 Introduction to School Counseling (4)
EDCO 6671 Counseling Theory and Practice I (3)
EDCO 6672 Organization and Administration of K–12 Guidance Programs (3)
EDCO 6930 Counseling Theory and Practice II (3)
EDCO 6931 Counseling Theory and Practice III (3)
EDCO 6673 Group Counseling in the Schools (3)
EDCO 6674 Introduction to Psychoeducational Assessment (3)
EDCO 6675 Legal and Ethical Issues for School Profes­sionals (3)
EDCO 6676 Students at Risk and Resiliency: Assessment and Intervention (3)
EDCO 6677 Multicultural Counseling in the Schools (3)
EDCO 6679 Career Counseling in the Schools (3)
EDCO 6680 Special Education: Program and Methods (3)
EDCO 6681 Family Advocacy in K-12 Settings (3)

EDCO 6882 Positive Psychology and Spirituality in the Schools (3)

Internship (9 credits)
EDCO 6940 School Counseling Internship (3,3,3)
Note: The internship requires a minimum of 600 hours spread over an entire school year (three quarters). Interns register for 3 credits per quarter.

SCHOOL COUNSELING "CERTIFICATE ONLY" PROGRAM
People who otherwise qualify to enter the School Counseling program and already have a master's or other advanced degree need not complete a second master's degree in school counseling to obtain ESA (educational staff associate) certification as a school counselor.

It is necessary to complete only the major courses (48 credits), internship (9 credits), and comprehensive exam. Some coursework may be waived based on prior relevant graduate-level courses taken within the last five years.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
A comprehensive two-hour essay examination is usually completed during the last quarter of coursework or the quarter thereafter.

• Comprehensive exams are scheduled once per quarter.
• An application (available from the School of Education) should be submitted to the graduate program manager two quarters in advance.
• To take the comprehensive exams, students must have completed all school counseling courses (except the internship).

EDUCATION BLOCK
School counseling students who do not have a valid teacher's certificate may be required, at the discretion of the program chair, to complete the "Education Block," which requires 100 hours of work in one classroom as a teacher's assistant.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The following materials are to be submitted for admission into the program:

1. A
2. A $50 processing fee. (Make checks payable to ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ.)
3. A transcript from each college/university where a degree was obtained, a professional certification program was completed, and where any graduate coursework was taken. These must be official transcripts and remain sealed in the original envelopes. Transcripts may be mailed directly to The Graduate Center at SPU.
4. Scores from either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Official results must be sent directly to The Graduate Center at SPU. Test scores must be less than five years old to be valid. However, if the applicant has an undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or higher, or has a master's degree from an accredited university, MAT or GRE scores are waived. Note: An alternative to submitting a GRE or MAT score may be available to certain applicants with permission of the chair of the school counseling program.
5. If certified as a teacher, school social worker, etc., submit a copy of the actual certificate. Washington state law does not require a school counselor to be certificated as a teacher.
6. A personal statement. Applicants are to submit a Word (or .pdf) document, not to exceed 300 words, that includes a statement of personal academic and professional goals.
7. Two letters of recommendation. These letters should provide a current assessment of qualifications relative to past and future service in the professional setting, and capability for graduate study. Recommendations should come from present principals, supervisors, former professors, pastors, or colleagues.
8. The Moral Character and Personal Fitness Policy (available from the School of Education Administration Office, Peterson 300).
9. The Character and Fitness Supplement (available from the School of Education Administration Office, Peterson 300).

All applicants must also have a personal interview with the school counseling faculty.

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