Questions about joining our learning community? Please contact me at jonathan.ricks@uncp.edu or 910.775.4041.
Prospective students can also email the Graduate Office at grad@uncp.edu or visit The Graduate School website.
Courses now available in Wilmington
M.A. Ed. in Professional School Counseling
Program Description:
The Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) in Professional School Counseling (PSC) is a 60-credit hour, graduate degree program housed in the Department of Counseling located in the School of Education. The PSC program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Our program is designed to prepare and mentor graduate students to become committed, collaborative, and competent professional school counselors. Through a variety of teaching formats (i.e., online, hybrid, face-to-face), graduate students develop core competencies necessary to serve ALL students (k-12) in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Our students acquire knowledge, attitudes, and skills required to promote social/emotional, academic, and career development through intentional methods such as advocacy, use of evidence-based practices, and data collection. Through experiential activities, students learn how to develop and deliver comprehensive school counseling programs including direct (i.e., individual and small group counseling) and indirect (i.e., consultation) services aimed at promoting student success and life-long learning. The American School Counseling Association (ASCA) Ethical Standards and American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics are used as guides in developing and delivering the program’s curriculum. For more information, please visit the UNCP Catalog - PSC Program Information
Our program is approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and meets NC Professional School Counseling Standards. Graduates are licensed by NCDPI as advanced graduate (specialist) in K-12 school counseling which can result in additional pay beyond the master's level (dependent upon current NC legislation/State Board policy). Our graduates also seek certifications through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). While our program prepares students for professional school counseling, plans of study also meet current requirements for licensure by the NC Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors. Graduates go on to pursue careers in a variety of professional counseling settings.
NOTICE: NEW PRAXIS REQUIREMENT FOR SCHOOL COUNSELING LICENSE
NCDPI is making a transition with the Praxis exam they will accept for School Counseling Licensure. It depends on the date you take the exam.
For some time, students have been required to take test #5421. You may continue to take this test for licensure until August 31, 2023 (must score at least 156).
Students can also take test #5422 for licensure and must score at least 159. After August 31, 2023, only Test #5422 will be accepted.
Until August 31, 2023, they will accept either #5421 or #5422, but if you test after August 31, you should take #5422. The newer test (#5422) is aligned with the most recent addition of the ASCA National Model (4th edition).
Professional School Counselors develop comprehensive counseling programs designed to serve the unique needs of students, families of students, teachers, and administrators at the school level. They provide consultation to school staff and parents, make appropriate community-based referrals, and conduct individual and small group counseling sessions as well as classroom guidance. Using needs assessments, data collection, program evaluation, advisory boards, and collaboration with all stakeholders, school counselors develop and implement curriculum geared to promote academic, social/emotional, and career development for ALL students. School counselors are systemic change agents and advocate for students, policy change, and their role in schools. Professional School Counselors work in elementary, middle, and high schools preparing students for life-long learning and success through career and college access.
Students are admitted for Summer and Fall terms only. Application review begins February 1. Application requirements for the professional school counseling program include: online application, fee, transcripts, and applicant must:
- have at least a 2.7 undergraduate GPA;
- submit an essay detailing their reasons for apply to the program, relevant experiences and personal career goals relevant to professional school counseling;
- submit the names of three individuals with whom the applicant has professional affiliation, such as former faculty members or supervisors, who will provide a recommendation on the applicant's behalf;
- submit a resume or CV;
- complete a brief electronic supplemental skills survey; and
- participate in an interview with program faculty. Interviews generally begin around February 15.
Visit this link to apply for the Professional School Counseling Program: https://applytouncp.force.com/apply
Requirements |
Sem. Hrs |
| Core Counseling Courses | 27 |
|
CNS 5000 Professional & Ethical Issues |
|
| Specialty Area and Elective Courses | 24 |
|
CNS 5350 The Professional School Counselor CNS 5550 Seminar in School Counseling CNS 5750 College & Career Readiness CNS 5250 Counseling Children & Adolescents CNS 5310 Mental Health Issues in Childhood & Adol. CNS 5060 Crisis Intervention Select two elective courses from: *CNS 5650 School Counselor as Leader, Adv., & Consult. *CNS 5760 Legal Aspects of Educational Leadership *CNS 5770 Evidence-Based School Counseling *CNS 5780 The Achievement Gap & Social Justice CNS 5360 Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, CNS 5080 Gender and Sexuality Issues in Counseling, CNS 5850 Theory and Process of Family Counseling, CNS 5070 College Counseling and Student Affairs, CNS 5870 The Family and Addiction, CNS 5900 Addictions Counseling, CNS 5810 Introduction to Play Therapy, CNS 5820 Play Therapy Theories and Techniques, CNS 5830 Play Therapy for Specific Challenges, CNS 5840 Filial and Family Play Therapy, or CNSS 5xxx Special Topics in Counseling (* HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) |
|
| Clinical Field Placement Courses | 9 |
|
CNS 6100 School Counseling Practicum CNS 6130 School Counseling Internship I CNS 6130 School Counseling Internship II |
|
Total Program Hours |
60 |