The School Counseling program is dedicated to the preparation of knowledgeable and ethical counseling professionals for employment as school counselors in public and private schools and related educational settings for diverse populations. We endorse an approach that integrates school counseling with other school services. Our program contributes to learning, human development, adjustment, and change by encouraging our diverse faculty and student body to engage in reflective practice, innovative inquiry, and responsible social action. An introductory course in testing is a program prerequisite. Students who have not taken this course will have to do so early in their program.
Students have a variety of courses to choose from in determining electives.
Among the choices are counseling older persons, cross-cultural counseling, human development, substance abuse counseling, foundations of employee assistance programs, family counseling, human sexuality, existential counseling, counseling and spirituality, counseling Latino populations, as well as courses offered within the Department of Teacher Preparation and Special Education. Students who have no previous experience or academic work in elementary or secondary education may be required to select electives to meet deficiencies. Previous teaching experience is NOT required for admission to the School Counseling Master's Degree Program. However, potential applicants should know approximately half of the 50 states require such experience as a prerequisite to full certification as a school counselor. Students who have three years work experience have the choice of enrolling in the School Counseling Master's Degree Program offered at the Alexandria Graduate Education Center.