School Counseling

Graduate Certificate
18 Credit Hours

This program is offered by the College of Science and Health. It is offered online via asynchronous modality.

For information on the general requirements for a certificate, see Certificate Program Policies and Procedures under the Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Program Description

This advanced graduate certificate (AGC) in school counseling is for individuals who already have a master's degree and some experience with mental health counseling or a related field. This AGC is designed to provide students with a basic background in school counseling, but does not guarantee state school counseling certification.

In addition, this AGC is designed to provide the additional counseling coursework for school counseling certification in Missouri for those students already in possession of a CACREP or CACREP-aligned counseling degree. Students who require prerequisite courses or additional certificate requirements may have to complete more credit hours.

This program is available online.

Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the advanced graduate certificate in counseling support the development of students as competent counseling in training.

• Utilize skills and knowledge of student development and behavior to promote the mental health and well-being of all students by facilitation their academic, career, and personal/social development.
• Collaborate with school and community members to plan, design, implement, evaluate and enhance the school and district-wide school counseling program to advance the academic, career and personal/social development of all students.
• Develop collaborative professional relationships throughout the school and community which support the school counseling program, as well as the overall mission and improvement plans of the school and district.
• Serve as a change agent, demonstrating leadership, vision, collaboration and advocacy for the on-going development of self, students, the school counseling program and the school district.

(Adapted from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education standards for School Counseling students)

Prerequisites

Students are required to show proof of satisfactory coursework in human growth and development, counseling theories and interventions, helping relationships, social and cultural diversity, appraisal of student growth and achievement, career development and planning, interpersonal skills, research, and ethical and professional conduct.

Program Curriculum

The certificate requires satisfactory completion of 18 credit hours of coursework. Note that successful completion of the program may exceed 18 credit hours for some students.

Required Core Courses:

• COUN 5110 Foundations of School Counseling (3 hours)
• COUN 5840 School Counseling Method and Skills (3 hours)
• COUN 5685 Program Development for School Counselors (3 hours)
• Elective (6 hours)*

Required Field Experience Courses:

• EPSY 6502 Secondary School Counseling Internship (1.5 hours)
• EPSY 6503 Elementary School Counseling Internship (1.5 hours)

Additional Certification Requirements:

Students wishing to graduate from a Missouri state-approved school counseling program, which is required for school counseling certification, are required to have:

• a bachelor's degree in education from a state-approved educator preparation program
  OR
• Satisfactory coursework in teaching methods and practice, classroom management, and psychology of the exceptional child. Students without a bachelor's degree in education may choose to add the following coursework to their degree plan:
  • Teaching Methods and Practices (choose 1)
    • EDIN 5630 Creative Multimedia Design for Innovative Learning (3 hours)
    • CMAT 5015 Inclusive Practices and Methods for Teaching English Learners (3 hours)
    • EDIN 5001 Foundations of Global Citizenship (3 hours)
  • Classroom Management (choose 1)
    • EDIN 5622 Restorative Justice: Learning Communities (3 hours)
    • EPSY 5170 Behavioral Management (3 hours)
    • CMAT 5170 Classroom and Behavioral Management (3 hours)
  • Psychology of the Exceptional Child
    • SPED 5860 Psychology of the Exceptional Student (3 hours)

*Electives will be chosen in consultation with the advisor.

General Requirements

The student is subject to the policies and procedures for graduate studies and the specific requirements of the counselor education program found within this catalog.

Students participating in the school counseling program are required to understand and follow the American School Counseling Association Ethical Standards for School Counselors (2016) and adhere to applicable state laws, regulatory policies, and rules and policies governing professional staff behavior at the field placement setting. Students have the same ethical and professional obligation to clients as those required of professional school counselors (ASCA 2016).

Professional Commitment

The American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics (2014) requires that institutions providing counselor education screen students for professional, personal, and academic fit with the counseling profession. Graduation from the school counseling program requires successful completion of all graduate courses with appropriate academic success; development of appropriate interpersonal and counseling skills evidencing competency as a counselor; and being deemed fit for the counseling profession by program faculty as determined by development of counseling knowledge and skills, counselor formation, interpersonal relations with others in the program, and openness to supervision and feedback. Students' counseling skill development, interpersonal skills with others in the program, openness to supervision and academic success and standing will be evaluated on a regular basis throughout the program via use of dispositional and skills assessment tools, remediation team discussions, program faculty review of student achievement, and student participation. Students may be required to complete extra coursework and/or personal counseling in order to maintain good standing in the program.

This certificate is regulated by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the ACA Code of Ethics (2014), and American School Counseling Association Ethical Standards for School Counselors (2016). As such, students will be required to commit to the above mentioned academic, interpersonal and counseling skill development various coursework including a minimum of 11 months of clinical field experience. The clinical field experience is intensive, typically requiring a minimum of 15 to 38 hours per week to equate to a total of 700-1000 supervised clinical hours. It is imperative that applicants and students understand the time commitment required to develop and evidence counseling and interpersonal skills, openness to supervision, and academic success related to the clinical field experience and program in general.

It is highly recommended that students become involved in their local and national professional counseling organizations for formation of professional identity and the provision of additional learning, professional networking, and leadership opportunities. Student membership in ASCA provides professional liability insurance, legal support, and access to academic and career resources.

Students in the school counseling program will be expected to participate in self-growth and self-disclosure experiences in some coursework as delineated by the ACA Code of Ethics (2014). While contents of self-disclosure will not related to lowered academic evaluations, they may lead to the requirement that a student seek professional help to address any personal concerns that may be affecting development of competent counseling and interpersonal skills, formation of the counselor in training, and openness to supervision (ACA, 2014).

Remediation for Student Success Process

The American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2014) requires that all counselor education programs in good standing provide a remediation process for all counselor education students that includes regular and ongoing evaluation of a student's general fit with the counseling profession. Appraisal will occur with faculty review of didactic and clinical competencies, attention to ethical code, openness to supervision, self-awareness and formation, and academic competency. When experiencing challenges in demonstrating academic success, development of appropriate interpersonal and/or counseling skills and openness to clinical supervision, students may be initially required to meet with the course instructor to attempt to remediate student challenges. If unresolved, the instructor may request that the student be referred to the campus Counseling Program Advisory Committee. This Committee will review the reasons for student lack of success and will interview relevant instructors and the student to determine the most appropriate path for student success related to a potential future in the counseling profession. The most appropriate path may include but is not limited to: completion of extra coursework and/or field experience, completion of and/or participation in personal counseling and/or dismissal or time off from the counselor education program prior to completion of the degree program. Hence, successful completion of the school counseling program may require additional coursework beyond the stated number of credit hours (18) for those students requiring remedial coursework. Student openness to and cooperation with the campus Counseling Program Advisory Committee and adherence to ACA Code of Ethics (2014) and ASCA Ethical Code of School Counselors (2016) will be integral to the student's continued success within the program. Note: While the campus Counseling Program Advisory Committee may review cases related to academic challenge, it is not intended to mediate grade appeals or dismissals related to academic failure. The committee is in place to work with students who are challenged in one or more areas and are seeking a plan for remediation to remain in good standing or be transitioned out of the program.

Student Handbook

All students admitted to the school counseling program are required to review and sign the Counseling Department Student Handbook as a requirement of enrollment and position in the program. Students are required to sign the final page of the handbook stating understanding of and agreement with the personal and professional commitment to the school counseling program. The Counseling Student Handbook that is issued each academic year supersedes all previous versions. It is therefore important that students review the Counseling Student Handbook each year and become familiar with the guidelines contained therein.

Admission

See the Admission section of this catalog for general admission requirements. Students interested in applying must submit their application online at www.webster.edu/apply. Transcripts should be sent from your institution electronically to transcripts@webster.edu. If this service is not available, send transcripts to:

Office of Admission
Webster University
470 E. Lockwood Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63119