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School Counseling (M.Ed.) with ESA Certification

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

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 you 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.

PROGRAM ORIENTATION

You will be introduced to the program through the autumn Graduate Student Dinner hosted by the SPU’s Graduate Center, as well as through an experiential course, EDCO 6600 Introduction to Systems Theory, conducted at Blakely Island Field Station. Upon completion of the course, you will possess a clear understanding of the school counseling program, including its requirements, expectations, faculty, mission, and philosophy.

COURSE CONTENT DELIVERY METHODS

For all program courses, the course content and skill development are taught and learned through a wide variety of instructional methods, including didactic and PowerPoint and online presentations, experiential (in class and in K-12 school settings) activities, individual student and small group work, student presentations, professional speaker panels, in-class and in K-12 supervised skill practice, online discussions, etc.

SCHOOL COUNSELING "CERTIFICATE ONLY" PROGRAM

If you otherwise qualify to enter the school counseling program and already have a master's or other advanced degree, you 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 for you 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. When you are planning to take the exam, contact the Graduate Programs Manager one month in advance. To take the comprehensive exam, you 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

You must submit the following materials 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.
9. The Character and Fitness Supplement.

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

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS QUESTIONS

Ted Hiemstra
Associate Director of Graduate Admissions

ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ
3307 Third Avenue West, Suite 111
Seattle, WA 98119-1922

hiemstra@spu.edu
206-378-5478
800-601-0603

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