Counseling—School Counseling Option, M.A.

The M.A. in Counseling with an option in School Counseling prepares culturally competent school counselors to work in P-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.

Phase l
COUN 601Orientation to Professional Counseling and Ethics 13
COUN 603Counseling and Developmental Psychology Across the Life Span3
COUN 604Appraisal and Assessment in Counseling3
COUN 605Counseling Theories 13
COUN 606Research Methodology and Program Evaluation3
COUN 607Group Process 13
COUN 608Counseling Skills 13
COUN 616Therapeutic Intervention Techniques: Consultation in Educational Settings3
Phase ll
COUN 627Consultation and Management of Developmental School Counseling3
COUN 629Multicultural Counseling3
COUN 632Family and Couple Counseling3
COUN 636Group Counseling Theory and Practice3
COUN 663Career Counseling and Development3
Phase lll
COUN 690Practicum in Counseling3
COUN 694Internship I3
COUN 695Internship II3
Total Credits:48

New students in the MA in Counseling Program are admitted to begin study in the Fall or Spring semester only.

This degree map is to be used as an example only.  Please consult with your advisor in your first semester to develop your own degree map/academic plan.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Semester 1Credits
COUN 605 Counseling Theories 3
COUN 607 Group Process 3
 Credits6
Semester 2
COUN 601 Orientation to Professional Counseling and Ethics 3
COUN 603 Counseling and Developmental Psychology Across the Life Span 3
COUN 608 Counseling Skills 3
 Credits9
Summer 1
COUN 629 Multicultural Counseling 3
 Credits3
Summer 2
COUN 632 Family and Couple Counseling 3
 Credits3
Second Year
Semester 1
COUN 604 Appraisal and Assessment in Counseling 3
COUN 616 Therapeutic Intervention Techniques: Consultation in Educational Settings 3
COUN 636 Group Counseling Theory and Practice 3
 Credits9
Semester 2
COUN 690 Practicum in Counseling 3
COUN 627 Consultation and Management of Developmental School Counseling 3
 Credits6
Summer 1
COUN 606 Research Methodology and Program Evaluation 3
 Credits3
Summer 2
COUN 663 Career Counseling and Development 3
 Credits3
Third Year
Semester 1
COUN 694 Internship I 3
 Credits3
Semester 2
COUN 695 Internship II 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits48

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the M.A. in Counseling with an option in School Counseling the student will:    

  1. Gain foundational knowledge and skills to become culturally and ethically competent school counselors.
  2. 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.
  3. Demonstrate the highest standards of professional dispositions including but not limited to ethical behavior, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in developing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive developmental school counseling program for preK-12 to address students' academic, career, and social-emotional needs.
  5. Develop skills and knowledge to effectively implement evidence-based interventions, consultation and collaboration, leadership, advocacy, and systemic change as well as ensure education equity.