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School Counseling (Online) Advising Guide


CACREP Accreditation

Master of Education (M.Ed.)


Requirements

  • No teaching license required for internship
  • Two years of teaching or counseling experience required for Virginia licensure
    • Might be acquired during the M.Ed. program
    • Might be acquired while employed as a school counselor with a provisional license
  • Required Intensives/Synchronous Courses: (A or J term)
    • Counseling Theories & Techniques (COSC 505)
    • Structured Groups (COCS 512)
  • Field experiences, practicum, and internship
  • All M.Ed. in School Counseling candidates take the Praxis® Professional School Counselor examination (0421 or 5421 or 5422). Candidates may submit scores for their state’s equivalency test in place of the Praxis® 0421 or 5421 or 5422. If the candidate’s state does not have an equivalent, then the candidate must complete the Praxis® 0421 or 5421 or 5422. This comprehensive specialty examination is a requirement for Gate 3 and graduation. Candidates must provide proof that they have taken the Praxis® exam prior to being issued the Gate 3 code and enrollment in internship (COSC 699/COSC 693). Candidates should consider taking the exam in the semester immediately prior to Internship 1. Currently, there is no required minimum score for the school counseling program, but other states may have a minimum required passing score for licensure. The purpose of this exam is to assess the candidate’s knowledge specific to the specialty of counseling in K-12 schools. The timed (two hour) exam covers competencies of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP®), as defined by their School Counseling Specialty Standards for Preparation. The test is designed to mirror the four quadrants of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model. The four subtests of the Praxis® School counselor exam, which consists of 120 multiple choice items, are:
    • Assess: Specifics on program assessment and school counselor assessment and appraisal.
    • Deliver: Specifics on direct and indirect services.
    • Define: Specifics on candidate standards and professional standards
    • Manage: Specifics on program focus and program planning

    For information, exam costs, and to register for the exam, candidates should go to the link above.  There you will find a link to the Praxis® Study Companion.  Another good resource for preparation is The School Counselor’s Desk Reference and Credentialing Examination Study Guide developed by Dr. Schellenberg (2018, Routledge Publishing). It covers the content needed for the Praxis® exam and other school counseling specialty exams, providing study tips, case studies, and practice exams.


Practicum & Internship Information

The practicum and internship field experience courses promote the candidate’s learning by practicing the theories and techniques learned in the classroom and apply them in a real work setting, under the supervision of a licensed school counselor. Experiential learning is vital to school counseling skills development and the development of professional practice skills. The practicum and internship portion of the school counseling program is required of all candidates seeking state licensure/certification as a professional school counselor. 

View information, application processes, and course requirements for the school counseling practicum here: https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/counselor-ed/masters/school-counseling-med-practicum-edce-698/ 

View information, application processes, and course requirements for the school counseling internship here: https://www.liberty.edu/behavioral-sciences/counselor-ed/masters/school-counseling-med-internship-edce-699/  


Taking Non-Required Courses for Additional Voluntary Credentials

Candidates seeking to obtain a second degree through Liberty may do so, but due to the extent of overlap between required courses in the CEFS Department programs, dual degrees will not be awarded within the department. For candidates pursuing a second degree outside of the CEFS department, the number of credits that can be applied toward the second degree may not exceed the maximum amount of transfer credit allowed for that degree. If two degrees share required courses exceeding the maximum allowable transfer credit for the second degree, the candidate must take additional courses as substitutes for the shared courses.

Although dual degrees will not be awarded within the department, candidates may elect to take additional courses for dual licensure to obtain licenses in both School Counseling and Professional Counseling. For most candidates it is recommended to pursue a Master of Education in School Counseling and take additional courses for their counseling state licensure. Candidates interested in licensure as both a school counselor and a professional counselor are permitted to take the classes listed below prior to practicum as long as all other prerequisites are successfully completed in the Degree Completion Plan.

Approved courses are:

  • Psychopathology (CEFS 546)
  • Theories of Family Systems (CEFS 601)
  • Substance Abuse: Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention (CEFS 691)
  • Clinical Diagnosis & Treatment Planning (COUC 667)

Pre-requisites to these CEFS courses can be met by the M.Ed. in School Counseling curriculum and do not need pre-requisite override submissions/approvals. Psychopathology (CEFS 546) must be completed before the other approved CEFS courses are attempted. Candidates may elect to take additional courses for dual licensure to obtain licenses in both School Counseling and Professional Counseling. These candidates are allowed to take a clinical practicum (COUC 698/COUC 692). If not seeking dual licensure, candidates are required to take a school practicum (COSC 698/COSC 692). All candidates receiving financial aid must consult with the Student Financial Services office to understand how taking courses not listed on the school counseling DCP will impact financial aid. These additional courses are NOT covered by financial aid. The suggested courses allow a candidate to apply for the Virginia Counseling Board; it is the candidate’s responsibility to confirm with their respective state board of counseling if the will be approved. If the candidate determines that an additional course is needed in addition to or in place of one listed above, an appeal will need to be submitted through the Registrar’s Office.


Program Materials

Program Information & Orientation

Practicum

Internship

Resources

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