Master of Science (M.S.) in School Counseling Certification Program (49 credits)
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in School Counseling is a 49-credit program that prepares students to become an Elementary & Secondary School Counselor Pre K-12 (Educational Specialist Type Code 31) in Pennsylvania. Students will learn how to effectively serve, counsel, lead, and advocate for all students in Pre K-12 settings. Graduates will be competent in delivering counseling services that foster the social, emotional, career, and academic development of students and will utilize evidence-based interventions when creating and/or delivering comprehensive school counseling programs.
See Program Fast Facts
Students wishing to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania can become eligible by completing an additional four courses (12 credits). With the completion of two counseling courses and a 600-hour field placement in a mental health setting, students will be license eligible.
American School Counseling Association (ASCA) Model of Programming
The M.S. in School Counseling was developed based on the guidelines of the ASCA model. Applying this national framework, students in our program will graduate with an in-depth understanding of the four components of the ASCA model of school counseling programs - Define, Manage, Deliver and Assess, as follows:
- Students will understand the three sets of school counseling standards that define the school counseling profession.
- Students will learn how to effectively and efficiently manage a school counseling program to address the academic, career planning, and personal-social development of each student.
- Students will learn how to deliver developmentally appropriate activities and services, either directly or indirectly to students across grade and ability levels;
- Students will learn how to regularly assess a school counseling program for effectiveness and to demonstrate how students are different as a result of the school counseling program.
