School Counseling, Post-Master's Certificate

This course serves as an introductory course for individuals seeking a degree in school counseling. COU 510 introduces students to theory as well as research knowledge required for developing comprehensive school counseling programs. Students must demonstrate their ability to analyze, synthesize and integrate knowledge acquired from current research, documents from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the National Standards for School Counseling and course texts. An overview of the principles and practices of counseling services in schools, multiple roles and functions, applicable technology, an understanding of exceptionalities, and program organization will be explored. Attention will also be given to state testing requirements and career pathways as these pertain to the function of the school counselor. COU 510 is a pre-requisite for COU 515 Advanced School Counseling.

3 Credits.

The course is a continuation of COU 510 and is a Tier 2 course. It is designed to build on the student’s theoretical base and that of the scientist-practitioner within the school setting. The primary focus will be on the application of school counseling techniques including the use of technology with all students including those identified as having some type of exceptionality. Various methods of providing services will be explored within the college classroom as well as at the Practicum site. 

Students will develop methods for successfully blending the theory of a balanced, comprehensive counseling program and the National Standards for School Counseling along with current multiple demands within today’s schools. Discrepancies between the desired role and function and what is most often occurring will be addressed. Forty-five practicum hours are required. Practicum hours must be done within a public school setting and under the direct supervision of a licensed school counselor.

3 Credits. Prerequisite requirements of COU 505, 525, 535 and 510

The course will focus on establishing and maintaining successful collaborative relationships with special educators. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) prioritize the function of collaboration and coordination within the school counselor’s role. Students will develop strategies for building effective teams with special educators, other school staff, parents and community members to promote the academic, career, and personal social development of Pre-K-12 students with exceptionalities. Furthermore, students will gain information concerning the role of special educators, special education terminology and exceptionality categories, assessment and referral processes, and legal and ethical issues in counseling and special education.

3 Credits.

Supervised on-the-job experiences performing the duties of a professional counselor in a school setting. Internships are viewed as the culminating activity in degree programs and ordinarily follow the completion of coursework and the full complement of supervised counseling practica. Thus, by the time students enter the internship phase of their programs of study, they are prepared to provide valuable and culturally competent services to the consumers within a school setting. 

COU 590 has a minimum of 300 hours of on-site internship experience in an approved public school setting under the supervision of an approved licensed school counselor. Students must have counselor liability insurance in place prior to their internships. There is a 600 hours of onsite internship graduation requirement for all counseling degree programs. The Specialty Area Capstone Project is to be completed at the end of the first 300 hours, Students who complete COU 590 must subsequently enroll in COU 591 to complete the balance of the 600 hours of internship required for graduation.

3 Credits. Pre-requisite: Students must be in their last two semesters of coursework AND have completed and PASSED the Core Comprehensive Examination.