Counseling—School Counseling Option, M.A.
As of the Fall 2023 term, the School of Counseling Option moves from a 48-credit program to a 60-credit program. If you begin 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 Master of Arts in Counseling with a School Counseling option is currently a 48-credit program seeking approval to move to a 60-credit program. The rationale and the proposed changes are included in this proposal.
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.
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, preferably in the first year of study, but no later than the second year.
- 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.
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.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| COUN 605 | Counseling Theories | 3 |
| COUN 607 | Group Process | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| 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 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer 1 | ||
| COUN 629 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Summer 2 | ||
| COUN 632 | Family and Couple Counseling | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| 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 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COUN 690 | Practicum in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 627 | Consultation and Management of Developmental School Counseling | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer 1 | ||
| COUN 606 | Research Methodology and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Summer 2 | ||
| COUN 663 | Career Counseling and Development | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| COUN 640 | Counseling Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| COUN 650 | Foundations of Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COUN TBD | College and Other Post-Secondary Counseling for School Counselors | 3 |
| COUN TBD | Counseling Elective | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| COUN 694 | Internship I | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| COUN 695 | Internship II | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Graduates of the Masters in Counseling with a School Counseling Option will be able to:
1. Apply knowledge and skills acquired to effectively advocate for comprehensive school counseling programs, students, and the profession.
2. Design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model.
3. Create strategies for building family-school partnerships through collaboration and consultation.
4. Develop strategies to prepare students with transitions to college and other post-secondary options.
5. Acquire skills to assess and identify and intervene with students at risk for mental health and substance abuse issues.