College of Education

Department of Leadership, Counseling, & Educational Technology

The Counseling program offers an M.Ed. in School Counseling. Students take coursework in the areas of human development, legal and ethical issues of the profession, career development, appraisal methods, counseling theories, group work, practicum and research, and program evaluation. Additional specialized courses focusing on school counseling are offered in areas such as internship, special populations, consultation, and professional development.

Program Admission Requirements

• A four year undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. 
• Any one of the following:
  
  1. a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester hours attempted accruing to the undergraduate degree; or
  2. a combined score of 1000 or higher on the quantitative and verbal sections of the GRE exam; or
  3. a 400 or higher on the MAT; or
  4. a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
     
     Note: All applicants must submit GPA and graduate admission (GRE or MAT) test scores regardless of which of the above criteria are met for admissions. Some programs may have additional admissions criteria (refer to program information). Students may be required to take specific undergraduate course(s) if they do not have the necessary prerequisites for the graduate level course or program.

• Submission of three favorable recommendations from professionals in the field.
• Evidence of having completed all coursework and examinations required for Florida Professional Educator Certification
• Performance in courses taken post baccalaureate will be taken into consideration for admission to the School Counseling Program.
• Submission of a written statement of career goals.
• Participation in a personal interview, if requested by admissions committee.
• Counseling Criminal Record Policy Statement:  All applicants are advised that in order to complete the program they must complete internships.  Most internship facilities do background checks and will not  permit the placement of counselor interns with criminal records.  The department reserves the right to deny program admission to any applicant if it appears that applicant is unlikely to be able to complete the internship requirement due to a criminal record, thus inhibiting their ability to complete the program.

Program Requirements

Designed for school counselors who already hold or are eligible for a teaching certificate. Normally, students begin their studies in the spring semester.

• Required courses:
  
  
  • MHS 6010  Introduction to School Counseling (3)
  • MHS 6051  Human Development for School Counselors (3)
  • MHS 6200  Appraisal Procedures in Schools (3)
  • MHS 6340  Career Development (3)
  • MHS 6400 Counseling Theory for School Counselors (3)
  • MHS 6401 Advanced School Counseling Methods (3)
  • MHS 6500 Group Work for School Professionals (3)
  • MHS 6601 Consultation & Collaboration Problem Solving (3)
  • MHS 6605 Special Needs Counseling & Consultation (3)
  • MHS 6700  Legal & Ethical Issues in the Counseling Profession (3)
  • MHS 6710  Research & Program Evaluation (3)
  • MHS 6720  Seminar in Professional Development and Supervision (1)
  • MHS 6800  Practicum in Counseling (3)
  • MHS 6805  Advanced Practicum in Counseling (3)
  • MHS 6831  Internship I (2)
  • MHS 6832  Internship II (3)
  • SDS  6830  Internship in School Counseling (3)

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS REQUIRED: 48 HRS

Additional Graduation Requirements

• Students must satisfactorily complete 48 credit hours specified by the graduate degree program.
• A grade of B or higher must be earned in all College of Education graduate courses used as prerequisites and each core course.
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework in program.
• Students must complete and pass a culminating demonstration of learning and competence at the end of the program. These may include comprehensive examinations, portfolios, special practicum projects, or research projects. (Students seeking certification must fully demonstrate Educator Accomplished Practices.)
• Students seeking certification by graduating from a state approved program must show evidence of passing all FTCE exam components as required by the state of Florida. These may include the Professional Education examination (taken by all applicants applying for an initial teaching certificate, the Florida Guidance and Counseling Subject Area Examination, and the General Knowledge Test (if they do not already have Florida certification or if they have not already passed all subsections of the CLAST prior to July 1, 2002.) (See individual program requirements and/or advisors for information.)

Transfer Notes and Acceptable Substitutes

The College of Education limits the transfer of coursework into its graduate programs to a maximum of 12 credits or three courses. To be considered, courses must have been completed with a minimum grade of B and no more than seven years prior to the date of entry into the graduate program and no more than ten years prior to graduation from the graduate program.

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