Program Learning Objectives:

• ??? Become familiar with the requirements for a professional school counselor, the body of literature and research that is central to the field, and professional preparation standards which impact the field as a whole as well as school counseling.
• ??? Develop an understanding of the school counseling program in relation to the academic and student services program in the school setting.
• ??? Learn the role, function, and professional identity of the school counselor in relation to the roles of other professional and support personnel in the school.
• ??? Learn to develop strategies of leadership designed to enhance the learning environment of schools.
• ??? Acquire knowledge of the school setting, environment , and pre-K-12 curriculum
• ??? Identify current issues, policies, laws, and legislation relevant to school counseling
• ??? Understand the role of racial, ethnic, and cultural heritage, nationality, socioeconomic status, family structure, age, gender, sexual orientation, religious and spiritual beliefs, occupation, physical and mental status, and equity issues in school counseling
• ??? Develop knowledge and understanding of community, environmental, and institutional opportunities that enhance, as well as barriers that impede, student academic, career, and personal/social success and overall development.
• ??? Develop knowledge and application of current and emerging technology in education and school counseling to assist students, families, and educators in using resources that promote informed academic, career, and personal/social choices.
• ??? Acquire an understanding of ethical and legal considerations related specifically to the practice of school counseling.

Program Overview:?

The Master?s program in School Counseling at Ohio University is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). By maintaining CACREP accreditation, the program strives to provide the highest quality of faculty and curriculum standards. The master?s program in school counseling consists of core coursework in counseling required for all counseling majors, including coursework in theory and techniques, appraisal, human development, research methodology, and group counseling.

The school counseling specialization requires? additional coursework in professional school counseling, and counseling and assessment of children and adolescents. All students must complete a supervised practicum of 100 hours and an internship of 600 hours in a k-12 school under the supervision of a licensed school counselor. Graduates of the program are eligible for licensure as School Counselors in the state of Ohio, and would have to pass the School Counseling examination required by the Ohio Department of Education.

Upon successful completion of the academic requirements in the School Counseling program, the Counselor Education program will formally endorse the student for the School Counselor license and/or employment appropriate to the school counseling program.

Concentrations:

Students completing the school counseling specialization may elect to complete coursework for specializations in the area of CMH counseling. This would require additional coursework and practicum and internship experiences.

Opportunities for Graduates:

Graduates will be eligible to apply for school counseling positions (sometime referred to as guidance positions) within k-12 schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Graduates may also be eligible to apply for advising positions in 2 and 4 year universities.