School Counselor Certification
This certificate is designed for those who already possess a master’s degree in Counseling or Psychology and now wish to pursue certification in School Counseling (Type 73). This set of a minimum of 24 hours meets the ISBE requirements for the Type 73 – School Counseling.
ISBE Certification
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has approved the School Counseling program to prepare candidates for the School Service Personnel Certificate with an endorsement in School Counseling. Candidates seeking to be recommended for this credential shall either (1) hold or be qualified to hold a teaching certificate from a regionally accredited institution, or (2) have completed the GSU or equivalent teaching competence courses (i.e. EDUC310, COUN 620 (or EDUC 330), COUN 622 (or EDUC 440) and SPED 510).
All School Counseling students must provide evidence of successful completion of the Illinois Basic Skills Test prior to admission to the program. All School Counseling students must present evidence of passing the ISBE School Counselor Proficiency Test before they will be recommended for the School Service Personnel certificate.
Student Progress
The faculty monitor and evaluate student progress continuously. The Counseling Department Faculty and Student Handbook provides a specific description of the standards used to evaluate student progress.
Conditional Continuation
The faculty may permit a student to progress conditionally. In such cases, faculty review of the applicant’s record and performance identifies evidence that the student is likely to be successful in the program. The status of all students permitted to progress conditionally is reviewed by the faculty each trimester, and students are informed in writing of the conditions necessary for them to be transferred to good standing status. When conditions are met, the student is transferred to good standing status. Students may not be admitted to the culminating project without achieving good standing status.
Certificate Requirements
Students must meet all university requirements for a certificate. See the internship manual or materials for additional information.
In addition, candidates must complete all relevant requirements in the Teacher Education and Certification section of the University Catalog.
A 600-hour internship is required for all counseling students.
Prior to receiving the university recommendation for the School Service Personnel certificate, students must provide evidence of having passed the School Counselor content area examination of the Illinois Certification Testing System.
I. Required Preparation/Prerequisite Courses (30 Hours)
Counseling Course Prerequisites
COUN 630 Counseling Theories (3)*
COUN725 Family Systems: Theory and Practice (3)*
COUN 730 Lifestyle and Career Development (3)*
COUN 847 Group Dynamics (3)*
PSYC 610 Measurements and Evaluation (3)*
PSYC 720 Social and Cultural Foundations (3)*
Teacher Competency Prerequisites
COUN620 Life Span Development Issues (3)* (or EDUC 330)
COUN622 Applied Learning Theory for School Personnel (3)* (or EDUC 440)
EDUC310 Foundations of Education (3)*
SPED510 Survey of Students with Exceptionalities (3)*
*or equivalent courses
II. School Counseling (24 Hours)
Required Certificate Courses
COUN 638 Introduction to School Counseling (3)
COUN 844 Practicum I: School Counseling (3)
COUN 851 Consultation and School Staff Development (3)
COUN 852 Practicum II: School Counseling (3)
COUN 853 Parent Education: Prevention and Intervention (3)
COUN 858 Development of School Counseling Programs (3)
COUN 868 Counseling Internship I (3)
COUN 869 Counseling Internship II (3)
Total – minimum of 24 hours
