School Counseling, M.A.
Credits: 60
CIP Code: 131101
Overview
The Master of Arts Degree in School Counseling prepares candidates for school counseling positions in public, private, charter and faith-based schools. Graduates of the program are prepared to develop, implement, and evaluate the academic needs of children and adolescents in multicultural settings and provide individual and group counseling with an emphasis on mindsets and behaviors for student success. At the completion of the program, graduates will satisfy the academic requirements for the State of Georgia certification in School Counseling. The curriculum of this program meets the standards of preparation as set forth by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation from the M.A. in School Counseling program, graduates will be able to:
- Identify models of school counseling programs, and models of PK-12 comprehensive career development and school-based collaboration and consultation.
- Design and evaluate school counseling curriculum, diverse classroom management strategies, and differentiated instructional strategies.
- Advocate for comprehensive school counseling programs to be systems change agents.
- Compare the role of counselors in school crisis and on management plans in varied school models.
- Use consultation skills with families, postsecondary school personnel, community agencies and other referral sources to provide critical services to PK-12 students.
- Apply skills to examine the connections of social, cultural, familial, emotional, and behavioral factors to improve academic achievement.
- Evaluate characteristics, risk factors, and warning signs of mental health and behavioral disorders that could become barriers for school success for students in PK-12 schools.
- Review data to determine interventions to promote postsecondary options, student achievement, and school and postsecondary transitions.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the General Degree Requirements as published in this Catalog and those specified by the School of Education, candidates pursuing the Master of Arts Degree in School Counseling must complete the following course requirements:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Common Core Courses | ||
| COUN 501 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 502 | Helping Relationship Skills | 3 |
| COUN 503 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| COUN 504 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 505 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 506 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 507 | Research & Measurement | 3 |
| COUN 508 | Individual and Group Appraisal | 3 |
| COUN 509 | Counseling Diverse Populations | 3 |
| COUN 510 | Professional Ethics and Legal | 3 |
| Specialty Courses | ||
| COUN 518 | School Consultation | 3 |
| COUN 520 | Org.&Admin. of Counseling Serv | 3 |
| COUN 531 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 533 | Counseling Childn and Adolesc | 3 |
| COUN 536 | Trauma & Grief | 3 |
| CEDS 580 | Psych of Exceptional Children (Required for Georgia Certification) | 3 |
| Professional Clinical Courses | ||
| COUN 524 | School Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| COUN 540 | School Counseling Internship I | 3 |
| COUN 541 | School Counseling InternshipII | 3 |
| Recommended Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Counseling Couples & Families | ||
| Abnormal Psychology and Diagno | ||
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Qualifying Examinations
These exams must be taken in December preceding the spring semester of graduation year. The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) consists of approximately 175 multiple-choice questions, encompassing content from core and specialty courses.
Plan of Study for Master of Arts Degree in School Counseling
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| COUN 501 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 502 | Helping Relationship Skills | 3 |
| COUN 503 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| COUN 504 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 505 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 509 | Counseling Diverse Populations | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer Session I | ||
| COUN 506 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 510 | Professional Ethics and Legal | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| COUN 507 | Research & Measurement | 3 |
| COUN 533 | Counseling Childn and Adolesc | 3 |
| CEDS 580 | Psych of Exceptional Children | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| COUN 508 | Individual and Group Appraisal | 3 |
| COUN 524 | School Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| COUN 535 | Abnormal Psychology and Diagno | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| COUN 518 | School Consultation | 3 |
| COUN 520 | Org.&Admin. of Counseling Serv | 3 |
| COUN 540 | School Counseling Internship I | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| COUN 531 | Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 536 | Trauma & Grief | 3 |
| COUN 541 | School Counseling InternshipII | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
All Counselor Education students interested in becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) will need to take and pass either the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). An application to the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists is required for students who want to practice in Georgia.
School Counselors are required to take the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) to complete the School Counseling program. A passing score on the state approved content assessments in School Counseling is required to be eligible for a School Counseling certification in Georgia.
Exit Exam
All counselor education candidates are required to take the Counseling Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). There is a cost for this exam, and it should be taken in the month of December prior to one’s final semester, which is usually spring semester. Candidates will not be cleared for graduation until this requirement is met.
Program Completion
All students should review this catalog regularly as well as attend all advisement sessions with assigned advisors to ensure program completion. Failure to adhere to the program guidelines and advisor recommendations may result in a change in the graduation date. During advisement, students should update their program of study form with their advisor to ensure that progress is being made towards program completion.
Clinical Field Experience
All School of Education (SOE) students participating in any field experiences are required to complete a background check and fingerprinting prior to being placed in schools, human services/community agencies or government settings. Proof of liability insurance is also required as is membership in at least one professional organization.