Counselor Education: School Counseling

The program in school counseling is designed to prepare beginning counselors to work within a school environment. Successful completion of the 60 hour degree program results in a master’s degree in Professional School Counseling and fulfills the requirements to qualify for licensure as a school counselor.

Admission

Application to the Counseling Program is made in the spring for fall admission. Candidates wishing to apply to the counseling program must submit a completed application to the Graduate School office no later than February 15th. To be officially admitted to the Counseling Program, applicants must first meet all general requirements for admission to the UTC Graduate School. All forms and materials should be submitted directly to the Graduate School. Until fully admitted, students will not be allowed to register for core Counseling Program courses. Prior to admission into the Counseling Program, students may register for EPSY 5010 Methods of Educational Research. No applicant will be admitted to the Counseling Program with conditional admission status. In addition to regular graduate admission requirements, candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Submit a score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) within the last five years.
2. Provide 2-3 professional and/or academic recommendations pertaining to the candidate’s potential as a counselor.
3. Submit a résumé reflecting professional experience and volunteer work, related to the helping profession.
4. Submit a two-page typewritten biographical sketch indicating the motivation to become a counselor.
5. The applicant must attend an admission workshop that includes a group interview with faculty and pass a writing proficiency exam. After the interview and writing exam, candidates will be notified in writing as to their acceptance in the program. No oral confirmations of admission status will be provided.

Review of Students

During their course of studies, all counseling students are reviewed continuously by program faculty for purposes other than academic. This “professional fitness” review results in either one of three recommendations: continuation, continuation with conditions, or termination. Students are referred to the Student Handbook for explanation of professional fitness necessary for continuation in the program. All students are expected to abide by the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics. All courses are competency based, and courses receiving a grade lower than B must be repeated.

Certification Eligibility

Students are required to obtain appropriate scores on the School Guidance and Counseling sections (#20420) of the Praxis II.  For more information regarding the Praxis II, visit www.ets.org.

Comprehensive Examination

Students will be required to pass comprehensive written and oral examinations. One written examination will consist of the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Additionally students will be required to pass an oral/written examination with the counseling faculty. More information about the comprehensive exam is provided in the Counseling Student Handbook.