School Counseling, M.S.

For further information: SchoolCounselingGrad@southernct.edu

Application Deadlines

School Counseling: January 15 for fall semester and September 15 for the spring semester.

Master of Science Degree in Counseling - School Counseling

The School Counseling program is designed to meet the State of Connecticut Certification as a School Counselor. The School Counseling program (60 credit hours) prepares graduate students to work in a variety of school settings including elementary, intermediate, middle, and high school levels. Students are trained to provide counseling services that meet the guidelines of the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) National Model. The ASCA model prepares graduate students to focus their work on the academic, career and social-emotional domains of student development and to design, implement, coordinate, and evaluate school counseling programs for optimum overall student success.

There are two field experiences, a practicum and an internship. Practicum offers students the opportunity to develop, sharpen, and demonstrate individual and group counseling skills. Students are required to spend a minimum of 100 hours over the course of one semester within a school setting. The internship is an intensive, diversified experience that exposes students to a full range of school counselor responsibilities appropriate to the setting.  The internship will consist of a 10-month long, 700-hour minimum, supervised counseling experience in a school setting. Both field-work experiences are completed under the supervision of a certified school counselor.

Note: Certified teachers with 30 months of teaching experience must complete no less than 600 hours over the course of one or two semesters.

School counselors are employed primarily in educational settings. They use their counseling knowledge, insight, and skills to promote human welfare and educational success, and to improve the institutions and programs in which they are involved.

School counselors:

• provide a program of services for students in the school to promote academic, social-emotional, and career development in a proactive and preventive manner;
• provide individual and group counseling for students identified in need;
• consult with teachers, parents, faculty, and administrators concerning student academic, social-emotional, and career success;
• provide a liaison with community agencies to garner services for students and families.
• implement a comprehensive program which focuses on the uniqueness of all students in three areas of development: academic, career, and social-emotional domains. These areas are in alignment with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Standards. The program components include the guidance curriculum, individual planning, responsive services and program management. For more information about professional school counseling, see the Connecticut School Counselor Association (https://csca.wildapricot.org/)and the American School Counseling Association (ASCA).

Admission Criteria for School Counseling

Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:

1. Academic background: Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. GPA Waivers are possible under certain circumstances.
2. Connecticut State Department of Education's special education requirement: This requirement is a course that is offered at many colleges and universities in Connecticut (at SCSU it is SED 481 or 482). A list of those courses is available at the CT State Department of Education's Website. You may apply even though you have not completed this final course requirement. Many students opt to take this course in the summer prior to beginning their school counseling program. It is possible for students to complete this prerequisite after acceptance.
3. Letters of Recommendation: Strong recommendations from at least three individuals who know the candidate in a professional and/or academic setting.
4. Admission Essay: A 500-word essay describing the basis of their interest in the School Counseling program at SCSU.
            a. Evidence of a desire to enter the program and knowledge of the field.
            b. Knowledge of profession.

Note: Prior to being admitted to the program, students may take up to 9 credits on non-matriculated basis. However, taking such courses does not guarantee admission.

Application Process

In order to be considered for admission to the program the following fall, all admissions materials must be received by January 15. In order to be considered for admission to the program the following spring, all admission material must be received by September 1.  In order to apply to the program, please follow the steps below:

1. Make a formal application to Southern Connecticut State University's Graduate school. The application can be found and completed online. A non-refundable fee of $50 must be paid at time of submission with a credit card.  

   Note: On the graduate school application, applicants should indicate their focus in School Counseling.

2. Send official transcripts to:

Southern Connecticut State University
School of Graduate and Professional Studies
501 Crescent Street, WT 105
New Haven, CT 06515

If you have attended SCSU, you only need to indicate this on your application; you do not need to send your official transcript. 

3. Send Personal Statement via email to GradDocs@southernct.edu or hard copy via US mail to the address above. Personal statement should be 500 words and include the basis of your interest in the school counseling program at Southern and your desire to enter the profession.

4. Send Current Resume to GradDocs@southernct.edu or hard copy via US mail to the address above.

5. Provide contact information for three recommenders, at least one recommendation should be from someone who can speak to your intellectual and academic skills. An automated email will be sent to them with a link to upload your recommendations. No letters are to be mailed or emailed. They will not be accepted in hard copy.

Program Sequence-60 Credits

As sequencing changes, it is highly recommended that students meet with their program advisor to finalize a list of requirements for graduation. 

Program Requirements

CSP 539 - Developmental Psychopathology in Schools - 3 credits
CSP 540 - Intro to Assessment in Counseling and School Psychology - 3 credits
CSP 542 - School-Based Substance Abuse  Prevention & Intervention - 3 credits
CSP 550 - Counseling Skills and Techniques ('B' or better) - 3 credits
CSP 555 - Experimental Group Dynamics - 1 credit
CSP 567 - Professional Orientation to School Counseling Services ('B' or better) - 3 credits
CSP 568 - Counseling and Life Span Development - 3 credits
CSP 569 - Theories of Counseling - 3 credits
CSP 570 - Ethical and Legal Issues in School Counseling Services ('B' or better) - 2 credits
CSP 572 - Career Counseling - 3 credits
CSP 573 - Equity-Based College and Career Readiness Counseling - 3 credits
CSP 578 - Social and Cultural Diversity ('B' or better) - 3 credits
CSP 606 - Counseling Children and Adolescents in Schools - 3 credits
CSP 656 - Group Counseling ('B' or better) - 3 credits
CSP 672 - Curriculum and Classroom Management for School Counselors - 3 credits
CSP 674 - Consultation in Schools - 3 credits
CSP 691 - Research and Evaluation in Schools and Mental Health Agencies - 3 credits

Required Field Work

CSP 659 - Individual Supervision and Practicum Seminar in School Counseling - 4 credits
CSP 675 - Internship & Seminar in School Counseling - 8 credits
   Please note, CSP 675 is a 4-credit course that must be taken twice to earn a total of 8 credits.

Capstone
A comprehensive examination is required.