The master of education in school counseling (M. Ed.) trains students to be professional elementary, middle/junior high or high school counselors. Successful degree completion qualifies the student for a Washington Initial Educational Staff Associate (ESA) K-12 certificate as a professional school counselor. This graduate program is aligned with the standards and guidelines of the American School Counselor Association, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, and the Washington School Counselor Association. On August 25, 2005, the Washington State Board of Education renewed approval of the School Counseling degree, calling it a "Light House program in the state"! In 2006, the program received "exemplary" marks by two separate accreditation teams.

A year-long (9-credit) internship allows students to conduct supervised counseling in a school setting to gain practical counseling experience. A minimum of 600 participation hours in meaningful counseling duties and activities is required that relate to competencies established by the state of Washington (WAC 180-78A-270) and Seattle Pacific University School of Education for school counselors.

Graduates develop a strong counseling foundation by applying current theories and research, plus receive advanced training to be effective educational leaders and professional school counselors. The program places a distinctive emphasis on understanding connections between individual, family and community systems, influenced by spiritual and multicultural beliefs.

Although teaching experience is not required for admission, it is strongly recommended that applicants for this program have substantial education-related experience working with children and youth, as well as a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work or a related field. Admission to the program is competitive.

Please contact the main School Counseling web site for indepth program information.

Potential applicants can choose from three options for their program of study:

OPTION 1: M. Ed. in SCHOOL COUNSELING with an ESA Certification in School Counseling
(72 credits)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Foundations/Research Core (15 credits)
EDU 6085 Moral Issues in Education (3)
EDU 6120 American Education: Past and Present (3)
EDU 6655 Human Development & Principles of Learning (3)

EDU 6975 Interpreting & Applying Education Research I (3)
EDU 6976 Interpreting & Applying Education Research II (3)

School Counseling Major Core (48 credits)
EDCO 6130 Strengths Based Classroom Management for School Counselors (3)

EDCO 6600 Introduction to Systems Theory (2)

            Special Approval Form required
EDCO 6670 Introduction to School Counseling (4)
EDCO 6671 Counseling Theory and Practice I (3)
EDCO 6672 Organization and Administration of K-12 Guidance Programs (3)

            EDCO 6670 and instructor permission
EDCO 6673 Group Counseling in the Schools (3)

             Special Approval Form required, Prerequisite: EDCO 6671
EDCO 6674 Introduction to Psychoeducational Assessment (3)

             Prerequisite: EDU 6970 or equivalent with instructor permission

EDCO 6675 Legal and Ethical Issues for School Professionals (3)
EDCO 6676 Students at Risk: Assessment and Intervention (3)
EDCO 6677 Multicultural Counseling in the Schools (3)

EDCO 6679 Career Counseling in the Schools (3)
EDCO 6680 Special Education: Program and Methods (3)

EDCO 6681 Family Advocacy in the Schools (3)

EDCO 6882 Positive Psychology and Spirituality in the Schools (3)

EDCO 6930 Counseling Theory and Practice II (3)

             Prerequisite: EDCO 6671
EDCO 6931 Counseling Theory and Practice III (3)

             Prerequisites: EDCO 6671, 6930

Students without a background in education will be assigned the Education Block requirement consisting of 100 hours working as a teacher's assistant in a classroom.

Internship (9 credits)
EDCO 6940 School Counseling Internship (3,3,3)
Note: The internship requires a minimum of 600 hours spread over an entire school year (three quarters). Interns register for 3 credits per quarter .

OPTION 2: SCHOOL COUNSELING CERTIFICATE "ONLY" PROGRAM
Students qualifying to enter the School Counseling Program with a master's or other advanced degree need not complete a second master's degree in school counseling in order to obtain ESA (educational staff associate) certification as a school counselor. It is necessary to complete the major coursework (48 credits), internship (9 credits) and comprehensive exam. The same guidelines and procedures for program admission apply.

Students without a background in education will be assigned the Education Block requirement consisting of 100 hours working as a teacher's assistant in a classroom.

OPTION 3: DOCTORATE IN EDUCATION (Ed. D.) WITH A SPECIALIZATION IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
(WITH OR WITHOUT ESA CERTIFICATION)
For specifics on this option, please contact the Director of Doctoral Studies in the School of Education

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
The two-hour essay exam is completed during the last quarter of coursework or the quarter thereafter. An application available from the School of Education should be submitted to the graduate program manager two quarters in advance, after completion of the School Counseling coursework (except the internship).

For additional graduate and admission information please contact the Graduate Center.