School Counseling

The CACREP 2024 accreditation standards for School Counseling are as follows based upon student admission date:

The School Counseling concentration consists of 20 courses totaling 60 semester hours. Course work is divided into three areas:

  • FOUNDATIONS (3 courses) which must be taken early in the program and are prerequisites to higher level courses;
  • AREA OF CONCENTRATION (16 courses) which are sequenced to build a strong counseling skill base;
  • ELECTIVE (1 course) that allows students to pursue further course work in an area of interest within education or counseling.

Prerequisites are specified within the course descriptions listed in this catalog. 

Field experience courses in school counseling consist of Practicum (CHD 790), School Counseling Internship I (CHD 795I) and School Counseling Internship II (CHD 795II). Each course is completed in sequence. Students may only take one field experience course at a time.  Students meet with a faculty supervisor (the course instructor) and a group of their peers via Zoom for 1.5 to 2 hours once a week for sixteen weeks for Group Supervision. Field experiences focuse on assisting counselor trainees to improve individual and counseling skills. Counselor-trainees work under the supervision of a school counselor who has been licensed/certified for a minimum of 2 years. 

School Counseling Practicum In compliance with CACREP 2024 Standards, School Counseling, Practicum involves 100 hours of school counseling activities including: individual and group counseling (at least 40 face-to-face hours); guidance activities; consultation; referral and case management; psycho-social assessment; taped case review; termination procedures; and individual and group supervision. 

Pre-requisites for School Counseling Practicum

Students eligible to enroll in Practicum (CHD 790) must provide proof of current malpractice insurance. Students must also be in good standing and maintain a grade point average of 3.0.

Students must complete the following prerequisites prior to enrolling in Practicum: BSC 560, CHD 602, CHD 603, CHD 620, CHD 610, CHD 612, CHD 624, CHD 626, CHD 635, CHD 637, CHD 730, CHD 740.     

To enroll in Practicum students must complete all prerequisites, submit a completed Field Experience Application, and receive approval from the Field Coordinator.

To enroll in Internship students must successfully complete Practicum and all pre-requisites for Practicum.

Note: Students completing both CMHC and School Counseling (Dual) degrees will need to complete one practicum (CHD 790), both School Counseling Internships (CHD 795I and CHD 795II), and both Clinical Mental Health Internships (CHD 796I and CHD 796II).