Counseling—School Counseling Option, M.A.
As of the Fall 2023 term, the School of Counseling Option moved from a 48-credit program to a 60-credit program. If you started your studies in the Fall 2023 term or after, you must complete the 60-credit program. For those students already in the program (Spring 2023 or before), this change does not affect you.
The M.A. in Counseling with an option in School Counseling prepares culturally competent school counselors to work in K-12 schools and provide counseling, consultation, and assessment services to students and families. Professional school counselors work proactively as school leaders, change agents, and advocates for all students. The School Counseling program at the Department of Counselor Education at NJCU is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling Related and Educational Programs (CACREP). The program graduates are eligible for school counselor certification.
As of the Fall 2023 term, the School of Counseling Option moved from a 48-credit program to a 60-credit program. If you started your studies in the Fall 2023 term or after, you must complete the 60-credit program. For those students already in the program (Spring 2023 or before), this change does not affect you. Please note, however, if you are a returning or a readmitted student, the 48-credit program will not be honored after Fall 2024. If you are returning or are readmitted after Fall 2024 even if you started before Spring 2023, you will be required to complete 60 credits.
Minimum requirements for admission:
- Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0
- A minimum of 500-1,000 word essay discussing goals and objectives for pursuing admission to the degree program
- Two (2) letters of recommendation* (excluding letters from family, friends, and co-workers)
- Official transcripts from all previous U.S. colleges attended or official NACES course-by-course evaluation of any foreign transcripts**
- Professional Resume or CV
- Individual or Group Interview
- Official documentation of English Language Proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) for international students
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Phase l | ||
| COUN 601 | Orientation to Professional Counseling and Ethics 1 | 3 |
| COUN 603 | Counseling and Developmental Psychology Across the Life Span | 3 |
| COUN 604 | Appraisal and Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 605 | Counseling Theories 1 | 3 |
| COUN 606 | Research Methodology and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| COUN 607 | Group Process 1 | 3 |
| COUN 608 | Counseling Skills 1 | 3 |
| COUN 616 | Therapeutic Intervention Techniques: Consultation in Educational Settings | 3 |
| Phase ll | ||
| COUN 627 | Consultation and Management of Developmental School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 629 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| COUN TBD | College and Other Post-Secondary Counseling for School Counselors | 3 |
| COUN 632 | Family and Couple Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 636 | Group Counseling Theory and Practice | 3 |
| COUN 640 | Counseling Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| COUN 650 | Foundations of Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 663 | Career Counseling and Development | 3 |
| Phase lll | ||
| COUN 690 | Practicum in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 694 | Internship I | 3 |
| COUN 695 | Internship II | 3 |
| COUN TBD | Counseling Elective | 3 |
| Total Credits: | 60 | |
- 1
COUN 601, COUN 605, COUN 607, and COUN 608 must be completed within the first 12 credits. These courses are prerequisites to all other courses.
- 2
Those who begin the program in Fall 2023 or after will be required to complete the additional courses:
Phase II
COUN 640 Counseling Children and Adolescents 3
COUN 650 Foundations of Addiction Counseling 3
COUN TBD College and other Post-secondary Career Counseling for School Counselors 3
Phase III
COUN XXX Counseling Elective 3(COUN 609 Differential Diagnosis of Maladaptive Behavior for those students who wish to pursue licensure)
Total Credits: 60 (for those students beginning Fall 2023 term)
New students in the MA in Counseling Program are admitted to begin study in the Fall or Spring semester only.
Graduates of the Masters in Counseling with a School Counseling Option will be able to:
- Gain foundational knowledge and skills to become culturally and ethically competent school counselors.
- Develop necessary counseling skills and techniques to work effectively with diverse students in individual, groups, and school counseling curriculum to meet students’ diverse social emotional, academic, and career needs.
- Demonstrate the highest standards of professional dispositions including but not limited to ethical behavior, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills.
- knowledge and skills in developing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive developmental school counseling program for pre K-12 to address students' academic, career, and social-emotional needs.
- Develop skills and knowledge to effectively implement evidence-based interventions, consultation and collaboration, leadership, advocacy, and systemic change as well as ensure education equity.