Principles of School Counseling – COSC 660

Course Description

This course studies the foundation of professional school counseling including the foundation of the ASCA National Model; Assess, Deliver, Define, and Mange. Current trends are explored as well as the role of the school counselor in pluralistic schools with a systems-focus. ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors for student success are integrated to assist students in conceptualizing the school counseling profession as a whole.

Rationale

This course studies the specialization of professional school counseling including foundations, history, and current trends, and the roles of the school counselor in pluralistic schools with a systems-focus. Students are introduced to the ASCA Model as a framework for developing comprehensive, developmental school counseling programs. Students are introduced to key professional associations, licensure, and contextual dimensions of school counseling such as consultation, advocacy, collaboration, and leadership. Students will gain a greater understanding of the professional, legal, and ethical issues specific to counseling minors in the schools (e.g., case notes, student records, confidentiality, informed consent, parent involvement).

Method of Instruction: This 8 week course is delivered in a digital asynchronous format, with Canvas® as the primary instructional delivery method. Students complete one module per week over the duration of the course. 

Course Assignment

Course Requirements Checklist

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, participation in two Discussions is critical to evaluating the mastery of the learning objectives for this course; by demonstrating understanding and the ability to apply knowledge gleaned from course texts, lecture presentations, and assigned research articles. For each discussion, the original thread must be at least 500 words and no more than 550. Each thread must include at least 1 scholarly citation. There must also be at least one reply to another student’s thread with a minimum of 250 words and a maximum of 300 words. All citations for the discussions must be included in APA format. (CLO: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I)

Each student will design a hypothetical school counseling brochure using template provided, which will inform all stakeholders of the mission and objectives of their school counseling program and the academic, career, and social/emotional services provided to all students. Brochure will provide Beliefs, Vision, and Mission Statements. Students will include a statement, which advocates for the school counseling profession itself as well as an outline of strategies that are used to promote equity in students’ achievement and college access. A specific, research supported peer-intervention program will be identified as part of the school counseling services/interventions provided.

Interview, Essay, & Calendars Assignment

Students will interview a practicing school counselor face-to-face. An in-person interview is expected, but a virtual interview is acceptable if strongly preferred or required by the school/school counselor under consideration. Emailing questions and reporting responses are not an acceptable approach for this assignment. Interview should focus on the school counselor’s roles and responsibilities. Discussion should also include their perceptions of what leadership and advocacy look like for them as well as their daily, monthly, yearly calendars/schedule.

Students will share what they discussed and discovered in an essay. First, they will identify the name and provide contact information (email address and phone number) for the school counselor interviewed in addition to the date and time of the interview. The essay will then summarize the conversation. What are the student's reactions to the interview? What might he/she do the same/differently in regards to his/her current/future role in the profession? What are his/her perceptions of leadership and advocacy? Students will share their responses in a 1–2 page essay using doublespace and correct spelling/grammar. APA format, otherwise, is not required for this assignment and no citation of scholarly resources is expected or required.

Students will use the ASCA website – “Templates and Tools.” Download the “Use of Time Five Day Calculator” and the “Annual Calendar.” Based on their interview and review of ASCA National Model Implementation Guide (pgs 102 – 118), students will create a custom (possible/realistic) daily, weekly, and annual calendar. All calendars will be uploaded in addition to the essay.

Students will prepare a 10–20-minute PowerPoint presentation with audio included for each content slide. The program MUST cover the 3 academic domains of a comprehensive school counseling program (i.e., career, personal-social, and academic development). The program will describe how it enhances student academic achievement.

Students will attach revised Annual and Five Day calendars as well as revised School Counseling Brochure completed and submitted in previous modules.

Students will complete a 30-minute, open-book/open-notes quiz that covers the content of the textbook chapter readings. The quiz contains 10 multiple-choice questions and can only be taken one time.

Quiz: Dispositions Reflection

This Dispositions Reflection quiz will ask the student to rate himself/herself on the nine dispositions required for this program by our accrediting bodies. This quiz consists of 9 multiple-choice questions and 1 essay question and will have a time limit of 1 hour. This quiz allows for one attempt.