School Counseling, MS

Graduate Coordinator: Shirlene Coopwood Email: sdsmith@ncat.edu Phone: (336) 285-4397
Department Chair: Caroline Booth Email: csbooth@ncat.edu Phone: (336) 334-7916

The School Counseling program is designed for individuals seeking a professional career in elementary or secondary school counseling. The School Counseling program is a flexible and high-quality evening program which offers students the opportunity to create an individualized rate of matriculation in either part-time or full-time enrollment. The School Counseling program is nationally accredited by the Council on the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Curricular experiences encompasses each of CACREP’s eight core areas of professional counseling which include Professional Identity, Social and Cultural Diversity, Human Growth and Development, Career Development, Helping Relationships, Group Work, Assessment, and Research and Program Evaluation.

Certification and Licensure

Students are prepared to take the PRAXIS II Specialty test in Professional School Counseling and the National Counseling Examination (NCE) of the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) which is administered twice annually at NC A&T. Students who pass the NCE prior to graduation are recognized as board eligible by NBCC. Students are eligible to apply for licensure as a licensed school counselor through the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction upon completion of the program. As counseling licensure laws vary by state, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with licensure requirements in their intended state of practice.

Completing this master’s degree and obtaining a teaching license are separate processes. Applicants and current students should visit the Department of Educator Preparation website to review admission and licensure information or visit the College of Education for guidance on specific requirements.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Statement of purpose: Describe career goals, including clinical/research interests, professional and volunteer experience relevant to intended program of study and future counseling career goals.
• Three professional letters of recommendation from persons who know the applicant in either an academic or supervisory capacity. Letters from family members, acquaintances, and friends are not acceptable.
• A current resume or curriculum vita
• Interview: After initial review of all applications, the applicants with greatest potential are also expected to participate in a pre-admission interview with the Counseling faculty.

Program Outcomes

• Critical Thinking: Students will develop skills and attitudes of effective thinking that employ the use of thoughtful reflection and logical inquiry to draw evidence-based conclusions as they relate to school counseling.
• Oral Communication Skills: Students will demonstrate proficiency in communicating in individual dyads and small and large group settings including culturally sensitive and inclusive language.
• Written Communication: Students will demonstrate proficiency in their original written work and all academic and scientific writing. This includes accurate implementation of APA formatting, consistent use of tenses, using the active voice and appropriate citation of sources.
• Cultural Self-Awareness and Sensitivity: Students will demonstrate awareness of self, including knowledge of macro, micro and meso ecological systems.
• Cultural Humility: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the cultural context of relationships, issues and trends in a multicultural society.
• Counseling Practice: Students will demonstrate an understanding of counseling practice including relevant theories, techniques and evidence-based practices, including advocacy.
• Ethical Practice: Students will demonstrate understanding and application of relevant professional ethical standards.
• Professionalism: Students will demonstrate professional maturity, integrity and discipline consistent with professional standards of practice for school counseling.
• Research and Design: Students will demonstrate proficiency in designing quantitative, qualitative, single case designs, action, and outcome-based research, as well as program evaluation. Students will understand ethics surrounding Human Subjects Social and Behavioral Science research procedures and Responsible Conduct in Research.
• Research Evaluation: Students will demonstrate proficiency in evaluating empirical and non- empirical research including how to conduct reviews of the professional literature to inform both research and practice. Students will also apply research to field experiences and clinical practice and demonstrate the ability to conduct program evaluations.
• Statistics: Students will demonstrate proficiency in basic statistical methods including scales of measurement, measures of central tendency, indices of variability, shapes and type of distributions, correlations, reliability and validity. Students will apply supportive software packages (e.g., MS Excel, SPSS).
• Technological Competence: Students will demonstrate proficiency in implementing best technology practices relevant to school counseling.