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School Counseling (M.Ed.)
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
PETERSON HALL
206-281-2214
GRADADMISSIONS@SPU.EDU
SPU.EDU/DEPTS/SOE
Be sure to read this important overview and information, including application information, about outcomes for graduate students in the master of education in school counseling program.
A School Counseling "Certificate Only" program is also available for those who already hold a master's or other advanced degree.
MASTER OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
The Master of Education in School Counseling program is designed to prepare individuals for a school
counseling position in the elementary, middle, or high school.
This degree is nationally accredited by the
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and its successful completion will
qualify the student for a Washington Initial Educational Staff Associate (ESA) PK–12 certificate as a school
counselor.
Program Requirements
A year-long (9-credit) internship comprises a part of the degree program in school counseling. This vital,
integrative experience in which students conduct supervised counseling in a school setting, has as its
primary objective the provision of practical experiences in the duties and activities of the school counselor.
The internship includes a minimum of 600 hours participation in a variety of meaningful activities related to
the competencies required by the state of Washington knowledge base for school counselors (WAC 181-78A-270), as well as those recommended by the School of Education.
Recommendations
It is recommended, but not required for admission, that applicants for this program have previously obtained
experience working as an educator (e.g., teacher, para-educator, teacher's assistant) and/or a bachelor's degree in
psychology, social work, education, or a related field with one to two years' professional experience assisting children.
Exceptions must be
approved through the chair of school counseling by calling 206-281-2286.
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 online 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, online discussions, etc.
SCHOOL COUNSELING: MASTER'S DEGREE WITH ESA CERTIFICATION SCHOOL COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS (72 credits)
Professional Core (15 credits)
EDU 6085 Moral Issues in Education (3)
EDU 6120 American Education: Past and Present (3)
EDU 6655 Human Development and Principles of Learning (3)
EDU 6975 Interpreting and Applying Educational Research I (3)
EDU 6976 Interpreting and Applying Educational Research II (3) Major Courses (48 credits)
EDCO 6130 Strengths Based Classroom Management for School Counselors (3)
EDCO 6600 Introduction to Systems Theory (2)
EDCO 6670 Introduction to School Counseling (4)
EDCO 6671 Counseling Theory and Practice I (3)
EDCO 6672 Organization and Administration of K–12 Guidance Programs (3)
EDCO 6930 Counseling Theory and Practice II (3)
EDCO 6931 Counseling Theory and Practice III (3)
EDCO 6673 Group Counseling in the Schools (3)
EDCO 6674 Introduction to Psychoeducational Assessment (3)
EDCO 6675 Legal and Ethical Issues for School Professionals (3)
EDCO 6676 Students at Risk and Resiliency: 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)
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.
SCHOOL COUNSELING "CERTIFICATE ONLY" PROGRAM
People who otherwise qualify to enter the School Counseling program and already have a master's or other
advanced degree need not complete a second master's degree in school counseling to obtain ESA
(educational staff associate) certification as a school counselor.
It is necessary to complete only the major
courses (48 credits), internship (9 credits), and comprehensive exam.
Some coursework may be waived based on prior relevant graduate-level courses taken within the last five years.
Comprehensive Examination
A comprehensive two-hour essay examination is usually completed during the last quarter of coursework or the quarter
thereafter.
- Comprehensive exams are scheduled once per quarter.
- An application (available from the School
of Education) should be submitted to the graduate program manager two quarters in advance.
- To take the
comprehensive exams, students must have completed all school counseling courses (except the internship).
Education Block
School counseling students who do not have a valid teacher's certificate may be required, at the discretion
of the program chair, to complete the "Education Block," which requires 100 hours of work in one classroom as a teacher's assistant.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The following materials are to be submitted for admission into the program:
- A graduate application
- A $50 processing fee. (Make checks payable to Seattle Pacific University.)
- A transcript from each college/university where a degree was obtained, a professional certification program was completed, and where any graduate coursework was taken. These must be official transcripts and remain sealed in the original envelopes. Transcripts may be mailed directly to The Graduate Center at SPU.
- Scores from either the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Official results must be sent directly to The Graduate Center at SPU. Test scores must be less than five years old to be valid. However, if the applicant has an undergraduate GPA of 3.4 or higher, or has a master's degree from an accredited university, MAT or GRE scores are waived. Note: An alternative to submitting a GRE or MAT score may be available to certain applicants with permission of the chair of the school counseling program.
- If certified as a teacher, school social worker, etc., submit a copy of the actual certificate. Washington state law does not require a school counselor to be certificated as a teacher.
- A personal statement. Applicants are to submit a Word (or PDF) document, not to exceed 300 words, that includes a statement of personal academic and professional goals.
- Two letters of recommendation. These letters should provide a current assessment of qualifications
relative to past and future service in the professional setting, and capability for graduate study.
Recommendations should come from present principals, supervisors, former professors, pastors,
or colleagues.
- The Moral Character and Personal Fitness Policy (available from the School of Education
Administration Office, Peterson 300).
- The Character and Fitness Supplement (available from the School of Education Administration
Office, Peterson 300).
All applicants must also have a personal interview with the school counseling faculty.
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