The Master of Science degree in Counselor Education (School Counseling) is a 60 credit hour program designed for individuals seeking a professional career in Elementary or Secondary School Counseling. Students in the Counselor Education master’s program take core counseling courses and electives relative to their area of professional interest.  Students also complete a 100 hour practicum and 600 hours of internship in a school counseling setting.  The Counselor Education program is a flexible and high quality evening program which offers students the opportunity to create an individualized rate of matriculation in either part-time or full-time enrollment.

The Counselor Education program is nationally accredited by the Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and curricular experiences and demonstrated knowledge encompasses each of the eight core areas of professional counseling which include Professional Identity, Social and Cultural Diversity, Human Growth and Development, Career Development, Helping Relationships, Group Work, Assessment, and Research and Program Evaluation.  Additionally, students are prepared to take the PRAXIS  II Specialty test in School Guidance and Counseling and the National Counseling Examination (NCE) of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) which is administered twice annually at NCA&T and apply for licensure as a licensed professional counselor  through the North Carolina Board of Licensed  Professional Counselors upon completion of the program.  Students who pass the NCE prior to graduation are recognized as board eligible by NBCC. Practicum and internship hours are recognized by the North Carolina Licensed Professional Counseling board as hours of supervised practice.

The program objectives for school counseling are to:

1. Provide a graduate program in counselor education designed for the preparation of counselors and other personnel service specialists.
2. Provide within the framework of the total program, opportunities for the student to develop understandings and skills to function effectively as an entry-level counselor.
3. Encourage the spirit of inquiry and the production and utilization of research data among both faculty and students.
4. Provide opportunities for planned periodic self-evaluation and the development of greater self-understanding as well as the qualities of openness, tolerance, and acceptance for self and others.
5. Make information concerning major aspects of the counselor education program and faculty available in a variety of media for prospective students.
6. Make a continuing evaluation through systematic review of students as they  progress through the program to ensure the professional qualification of each student.

Students in school counseling will demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and application in:

1. classroom guidance and instruction        
2. developing and coordinating student support activities, including assessment and the use of diagnostic information
3. managing counseling programs to meet the academic, personal, and social needs of students
4. developing consultation skills suitable for working with all members of
5. the school and community environments – students, parents/families, teachers, administrators, as well as community agencies
6. establishing and maintaining individual and group counseling relationships
7. consistent with the ethical standards of the American Counseling Association, (ACA)
8. preparing individuals for positions as school counselors

Course 

Credit Hours

HDSV    602 

Human Development 

3

HDSV    610  

Counseling Services

3

HDSV    640

Professional Orientation and Ethics in Counseling 

3

HDSV    650

Theories of Counseling 

3

HDSV    706

Organization and Administration of Counseling Programs

3

HDSV    712

Counseling School Age Children

3

HDSV    735

Counseling Methods (Lab) 

3

HDSV    736

Multicultural Counseling  

3

HDSV    740

Appraisal 

3

HDSV    750  

Group Counseling (Lab)

3

HDSV    760

Career Counseling (Lab)

3

HDSV    765

Practicum (100 hours)  

3

HDSV    770  

Applied Research in Counseling 

3

HDSV    780   

Internship I  (300 hours)

3

HDSV    790 

Internship II (300 hours)

3

Or HDSV 799

Internship I and II (600 hours)

6

Selected Electives 

15

TOTAL 

60 Hours

Course 

Credit Hours

HDSV    602 

Human Development 

3

HDSV    610  

Counseling Services

3

HDSV    630

Statistical and Research Methodology

3

HDSV    640

Professional Orientation and Ethics in Counseling 

3

HDSV    650

Theories of Counseling 

3

HDSV    701

Counseling Exceptional Children

3

HDSV    706

Organization and Administration of Counseling Programs

3

HDSV    712

Counseling School Age Children

3

HDSV    735

Counseling Methods (Lab) 

3

HDSV    736

Multicultural Counseling  

3

HDSV    740

Appraisal 

3

HDSV    750  

Group Counseling (Lab)

3

HDSV    760

Career Counseling (Lab)

3

HDSV    763

Family Counseling

3

HDSV    765

Practicum (100 hours)  

3

HDSV    770  

Applied Research in Counseling 

3

HDSV    780   

Internship I  (300 hours)

3

HDSV    790 

Internship II (300 hours)

3

Or HDSV 799

Internship I and II (600 hours)

6

Selected Electives 

6

TOTAL 

60 Hours

758

State Certification/Licensure in Counselor Education (School Counseling)

The student who has completed all requirements for graduation will also be eligible to apply for state certification/licensure in School Counseling by taking the PRAXIS II Specialty test in School Guidance and Counseling.

Students are also eligible to become Nationally Certified Counselors by taking the National Counselor Examination offered by the National Board of Certified Counselors prior to graduation. In addition, the North Carolina Board for Licensed Professional Counselors recognizes this exam as their licensure exam.

Examination Information. Student pursuing a licensure in School Counseling must take the PRAXIS II Specialty test in School Guidance and Counseling.

          Scores needed to pass:

          Specialty Area Exam (School Guidance and Counseling)      570

For further information consult the PRAXIS Booklet or the School of Education Dean’s Office, 380 SOE Bldg, (336) 334-7757 or visit the PRAXIS II website.