From the American School Counselors Association,
School counselors are certified/ licensed educators with a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling, making them uniquely qualified to address all students’ academic, career and social/emotional development needs by designing, implementing, evaluating and enhancing a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success. School counselors are employed in elementary, middle/junior high and high schools; in district supervisory positions; and counselor education positions.
School counselors serve a vital role in maximizing student success (Lapan, Gysbers, & Kayson, 2007; Stone & Dahir, 2006). Through leadership, advocacy and collaboration, school counselors promote equity and access to rigorous educational experiences for all students. School counselors support a safe learning environment and work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community (Sandhu, 2000) and address the needs of all students through culturally relevant prevention and intervention programs that are a part of a comprehensive school counseling program (Lee, 2001). The American School Counselor Association recommends a school-counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250.
School counselors have a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling, meet the state certification/ licensure standards and abide by the laws of the states in which they are employed. They uphold the ethical and professional standards of ASCA and other applicable professional counseling associations and promote the development of the school counseling program based on the following areas of the ASCA National Model: foundation, delivery, management and accountability.
This degree program is a 60-semester credit hour program that prepares students to become Professional School Counselors. In this program, students will become familiar with school counseling services, develop better self-understanding, and develop the competencies of comprehensive school counselors who build and lead school counseling programs aligning with the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Model. This degree program meets coursework specifications for professional school counselor certification/licensure in numerous states.
The program includes supervised clinical training experiences in a professional setting compatible with the student's career goals. Clinical training provides an opportunity for students to perform, under supervision, a variety of counseling activities that a professional counselor is expected to perform. Students must purchase professional liability insurance prior to their clinical training.
