School Counseling (M.Ed.)

Please visit the main School Counseling web site or download the School Counseling Program Handbook for indepth program information.

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.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The conceptual framework of Seattle Pacific University's program in school counseling is based on theory and research that supports a developmental, systemic approach to facilitating the healthy development of students. It is consistent with the American School Counselor Association's National Standards for School Counseling Programs (Campbell & Dahir, 1997), ASCA’s (2005) National Model, and policy statement on the Professional School Counselor and Comprehensive School Counseling Programs (ASCA, 2005). This framework rests on the following principles:

School Counselors:

• are integral to a comprehensive developmental approach to education; focus on preventive and developmental strategies and sound educational interventions based on empirical research and best practice;
• stress collaboration and consultation with other school personnel and community resources to meet the needs of all students; maintain the highest level of professional and ethical competence.

PROGRAM ORIENTATION

Incoming students are introduced to the program through the fall Graduate Student Banquet hosted by the SPU’s Graduate Center as well as through an experiential course, EDCO 6600 Introduction to Systems Theory, conducted at Blakely Island Field Station.  Upon completion of the course students will possess a clear understanding of the school counseling program, including its requirements, expectations, faculty, mission, and philosophy.

COURSE CONTENT DELIVERY METHODS

For all program courses, the course content and skill development are taught and learned through a wide variety of instructional methods, including didactic and PowerPoint and on-line presentations, experiential (in-class and in K-12 school settings) activities, individual student and small group work, student presentations, professional speaker panels, in-class and in K-12 supervised skill practice, on-line discussions, etc.

For descriptions of each class, see Course Descriptions from the current Graduate Catalog.

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

OPTION 1: M.Ed. IN SCHOOL COUNSELING WITH AN ESA CERTIFICATE IN SCHOOL COUNSELING

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 Core (45 credits)

EDCO 6600 Introduction to Systems Theory (2)
EDCO 6670 Introduction to School Counseling (4)
EDCO 6671 Counseling Theory and Skills (3)
EDCO 6672 K-12 Comprehensive School Counseling (3)
EDCO 6673 Group Counseling Practicum (3)
EDCO 6674 Introduction to Psychoeducational Assessment in School Counseling (3)

EDCO 6675 Legal and Ethical Issues in School Counseling (3)
EDCO 6676 Resiliency / 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 K-12 Settings (3)

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

EDCO 6930 Individual Counseling Practicum I (3)
EDCO 6931 Individual Counseling Practicum II (3)

Education Block (3 credits) for students without a background in education

EDCO 6130 Strengths Based Classroom Management (3)
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.

Due to a change in Federal financial aid rules, some certificate-only programs do not qualify for Federal financial aid. If a student combines this certification with a graduate degree at SPU, then the student will qualify for financial aid as a degree-seeking student. For more information, contact the Graduate Center.

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.

OPTION 4: DOCTORATE IN COUNSELOR EDUCATION (Ph.D.) WITH A SPECIALIZATION IN SCHOOL COUNSELOR EDUCATION (WITH OR WITHOUT ESA CERTIFICATION)

For specifics on this option, please contact the director of doctoral studies in the School of Education, or visit our doctorate in counselor education degree page.

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).

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR 2012

APRIL 1, 2012

Applicants who meet the regular application deadline requirements, including an initial screening of their complete application file, will be interviewed on April 18, 2012 from 1:30pm to 3:00pm at Seattle Pacific University.

All correspondence regarding the interview process will be carried out by email using the address provided in the application. Please set your email filters accordingly.

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