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school counseling Program

 

program Description

Thank you for your interest in the School Counseling program. The following information will outline the procedures for applying to the program, and answer some common questions asked by applicants. In addition to this material, applicants should obtain the most recent Graduate Catalog from the graduate school office (203-392-5237), and read and comply with all applicable university application and admission information.

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 developmental guidance for students in the school to promote academic, personal/social, and career development in a proactive and preventive manner;
  • provide individual and group counseling for students and parents identified in need;
  • consult with teachers, parents, faculty, and administrators concerning student academic, personal/social, and career success;
  • provide a liaison with community agencies to garner services for students and families. 

 

Master's Degree Program

The school counseling program consists of a 51-credit master of science degree. Students with a master's degree in counseling may apply for the Sixth Year Professional Diploma program in school counseling. Applicants currently holding a master's degree who are applying to the sixth year professional diploma in school counseling are required, in addition to the general admission criteria, to have demonstrated superior achievement in a master's degree program in counseling.

The master's degree program prepares professionals to work in the elementary,  middle, and high school levels and consists of a focus on human growth and development, social and cultural foundations, helping relationships, group work, career and lifestyle development, appraisal, research, and program evaluation and professional orientation, including ethics and professional standards.

Within the program are two field experiences: a one-semester practicum of approximately 100 hours, and an internship. The internship is an intense and diversified experience consisting of no fewer than 600 hours; it may be completed full-time in one semester, or part-time over up to two semesters. Individuals in the school counseling program who are not certified teachers with at least 30 months of teaching experience must complete a full school year, full-time internship in a school. Both experiences are completed under the supervision of a certified school counselor. A comprehensive examination is required.

The program is accredited by the State of Connecticut, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP).


Certification

Both the master's and Sixth Year programs are designed to meet the requirements for certification as a school counselor in Connecticut and most other states.

Applicants must have 12 credits in psychology. Those who do not meet the psychology prerequisites will need to take additional courses before being accepted in to the program; no prerequisite courses taken to qualify for admission may be included in the graduate planned program. Matriculated students may register on either a part-time or full-time basis. All state and university teacher education admission and certification requirements described in the university catalog also pertain to the school counseling program.