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Certification

School Counselor Certificate and Content Specialty Test (CST) Requirements

Initial and Professional School Counselor Certificate Requirements

Listed below are the coursework, practicum, and internship requirements for the Initial and Professional School Counselor certificate through the Individual Evaluation pathway.

Graduate Coursework

The School Counselor certificate requires Graduate level coursework in School Counseling.泭 "Graduate coursework means studies that can be credited toward a graduate degree granted by an institution of higher education that is approved by the Commissioner of Education or by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education.

Initial School Counselor

For the Initial School Counselor certificate 48 semester hours泭of graduate school counselor coursework is required.泭 The required graduate coursework must include study in the following eight competencies:

  • Foundations in professional school counseling.泭Study in this area focuses on foundations in professional school counseling, such as understanding the history and purpose/philosophy of, and the laws, policies, and regulations governing school counseling. School counselors engage in continuous professional growth and development, advocate for appropriate school counselor identity and roles, and adhere to ethical practices.
  • Career development and college readiness.泭Study in this area focuses on career development and college readiness, such as use of a variety of research-based school counseling approaches to provide services to meet the career needs of all students.
  • Supportive school climate and collaborative work with school, family and community.泭Study in this area focuses on supportive school climate and collaborative work with school, family and community, such as collaborating with colleagues, families, and community members to cultivate an inclusive, nurturing, and physically safe learning environment for students, staff, and families.
  • Equity, advocacy and diversity in programming and in support for students.泭Study in this area focuses on equity, advocacy and diversity in programming and in support of students, such as understanding cultural contexts in a multicultural society, demonstrating fairness, equity and sensitivity to every student, and advocating for equitable access to instructional programs and activities.
  • Child growth, development and student learning.泭Study in this area focuses on child growth, development and student learning, such as using knowledge of child development, individual differences, learning barriers, and pedagogy to contribute to and support student learning.
  • Group and individual counseling theories and techniques for prevention, intervention, and responsive services.泭Study in this area focuses on group and individual counseling theories and techniques for prevention, intervention, and responsive services to meet the academic, personal, social and career needs of all students.
  • Best practices for the profession and in school counseling programming.泭Study in this area focuses on best practices for the profession and in school counseling programming, such as assessing, developing, implementing, leading, and evaluating a data-driven school counseling program that is comprehensive, utilizes best practices and advances the mission of the school.
  • Research and program development to advance the school counseling program, its components and the profession.泭Study in this area focuses on research and program development to advance the school counseling program, its components and the profession.
Professional School Counselor

For the Professional School Counselor certificate, a total of 60 semester hours泭of graduate school counselor coursework is required.泭 Please note the following regarding the 60 semester hours泭of graduate school counselor coursework requirement:

-For applicants that hold or have held an Initial School Counselor certificate, the 60 semester hours required would include the 48 semester hours that was required for the Initial School Counselor certificate plus an additional 12 semester hours of graduate school counselor coursework.泭

-For individuals that do not hold or have not held an Initial School Counselor certificate the 60 semester hours泭of required graduate school counselor coursework must include study in the following eight competencies:

  • Foundations in professional school counseling.泭Study in this area focuses on foundations in professional school counseling, such as understanding the history and purpose/philosophy of, and the laws, policies, and regulations governing school counseling. School counselors engage in continuous professional growth and development, advocate for appropriate school counselor identity and roles, and adhere to ethical practices.
  • Career development and college readiness.泭Study in this area focuses on career development and college readiness, such as use of a variety of research-based school counseling approaches to provide services to meet the career needs of all students.
  • Supportive school climate and collaborative work with school, family and community.泭Study in this area focuses on supportive school climate and collaborative work with school, family and community, such as collaborating with colleagues, families, and community members to cultivate an inclusive, nurturing, and physically safe learning environment for students, staff, and families.
  • Equity, advocacy and diversity in programming and in support for students.泭Study in this area focuses on equity, advocacy and diversity in programming and in support of students, such as understanding cultural contexts in a multicultural society, demonstrating fairness, equity and sensitivity to every student, and advocating for equitable access to instructional programs and activities.
  • Child growth, development and student learning.泭Study in this area focuses on child growth, development and student learning, such as using knowledge of child development, individual differences, learning barriers, and pedagogy to contribute to and support student learning.
  • Group and individual counseling theories and techniques for prevention, intervention, and responsive services.泭Study in this area focuses on group and individual counseling theories and techniques for prevention, intervention, and responsive services to meet the academic, personal, social and career needs of all students.
  • Best practices for the profession and in school counseling programming.泭Study in this area focuses on best practices for the profession and in school counseling programming, such as assessing, developing, implementing, leading, and evaluating a data-driven school counseling program that is comprehensive, utilizes best practices and advances the mission of the school.
  • Research and program development to advance the school counseling program, its components and the profession.泭Study in this area focuses on research and program development to advance the school counseling program, its components and the profession.
Practicum

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Individuals must complete a 100-clock hour structured, college-supervised practicum under the direct supervision of the certified pupil personnel service provider who has official responsibility for the students. If the practicum carries college credit, such credit will apply toward graduate study requirements.

The practicum must be in a K-12 school setting under the supervision of an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education and has an approved educator preparation program for the certificate sought.

During the 100 clock hours:

  • At least泭40 of the 100 clock hours泭in the practicum must be supervised direct student service hours in group counseling, individual counseling and school counseling core curriculum lesson delivery.
  • At least泭60 of the 100 clock hours泭in the practicum must focus on developing, implementing and evaluating key school counseling program elements such as: student outcomes and standards; curriculum; individual student needs and plans; responsive services; consultation with others on behalf of student; time management; school counseling program goals; data analysis; action plans; calendars/schedules; and advisory panels, councils and committees.

The Practicum must be verified on an official transcript with a satisfactory grade.

Internship

Individuals must complete a 600-clock hour structured, college-supervised internship under the direct supervision of the certified pupil personnel service provider who has official responsibility for the students. If the internship carries college credit, such credit will apply toward graduate study requirements.

The internship must be in a K-12 school setting under the supervision of an institution of higher education that is accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized for this purpose by the United States Department of Education and has an approved educator preparation program for the certificate sought.

Prior to the candidates internship, a written agreement shall be executed with the employing school or school district by which the school or school district agrees to consult with the candidate before determining the candidates load and provide daily mentoring and supervision of the candidate during the internship experience by a certified school counselor. Mentoring and supervision may be provided by other qualified school personnel only if the employing school district cannot provide a certified school counselor in the school building in which the internship occurs.

During the 600 clock hours:

  • At least泭240 of the 600 clock hours泭in the internship must be supervised direct student service hours in group counseling, individual counseling and school counseling core curriculum lesson delivery.
  • At least泭360 of the 600 clock hours泭in the internship must focus on developing, implementing and evaluating key school counseling program elements such as: student outcomes and standards; curriculum; individual student needs and plans; responsive services; consultation with others on behalf of student; time management; school counseling program goals; data analysis; action plans; calendars/schedules; and advisory panels, councils and committees.
  • At least泭300 of the 600 clock hours泭in the internship must be in the elementary grades (K-8).
  • At least泭300 of the 600 clock hours泭in the internship must in the secondary grades (9-12).

The Internship refers to a structured, college-supervised practical experience for a student enrolled in a graduate School Counseling program. These skills are practiced under the direct supervision of the college and a certified School Counselor who have official responsibility for the student. If the internship carries college credit, such credit will apply toward graduate study requirements. NOTE - the internship泭must be泭in a K-12 school setting under the supervision of a regionally accredited college or university having an approved program of preparation specific to School Counselor. It is verified on an official transcript with a satisfactory grade. Please note that internships as mental health counselors, school psychologists, social work fieldwork and/or classroom teaching internships do not meet this requirement.

School Counselor泭Content Specialty Test (CST) Requirement Guidelines

The School Counselor Content Specialty Test (CST) became operational on February 26, 2024. The guidelines for when candidates must pass the School Counselor CST are provided below by certificate type. Information about the test, including the test framework, is available on the泭

Initial School Counselor Certificate:
  • Candidates who applied and paid the fee for an Initial School Counselor certificate and completed all requirements for the certificate other than the CST requirement on or prior to February 26, 2024, were not required to take and pass the School Counselor CST.
  • Candidates who did not apply and pay the fee for an Initial School Counselor certificate on or泭prior to February 26, 2024, are required to take and pass the School Counselor CST for Initial certification.
Professional School Counselor Certification:
  • Candidates who are eligible for a Professional School Counselor certificate through a Certificate Progression pathway do not need to pass the School Counselor CST; this also includes those who were not required to take and pass the School Counselor CST for Initial School Counselor certification.
  • For candidates seeking a Professional School Counselor certificate under a pathway other than a Certificate Progression pathway:
    • Applicants that applied and paid the application fee for a Professional School Counselor certificate and met all requirements on or prior to February 26, 2024, are not required to pass the School Counselor CST.泭
    • Applicants that applied and paid the application fee for a Professional School Counselor certificate after February 26, 2024, are required to take and pass the School Counselor CST for Professional Certification.

Information regarding the available pathways for certification can be found on the .