The mission of the school counseling program at Governors State University is to promote excellence in professional school counseling as an integral component in the development of all students. The primary goal is to prepare responsive professional counselors in K-12 school settings who will assist students in maximizing their educational, vocational and personal/social growth and development. The school counseling program at GSU endorses the role of the professional school counselor as a certified/licensed educator who addresses the needs of students comprehensively through the implementation of a developmental school counseling program.
The school counseling program at GSU is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counselor Education and Related Programs (CACREP) and it meets academic specifications for Illinois licensure as a Professional Counselor. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has approved the school counseling program at GSU as leading to the School Service Personnel Certificate.
Degree Requirements for Counseling Program
Students must meet all university requirements for a master’s degree. All counseling students are required to complete the core courses. In addition, there are specific requirements for courses depending on which sequence the student is enrolled in. Students should complete their study plan with the advisor before or within the first semester of enrollment to ensure proper progression through the program. Although the advisor is available to help students with any questions or concerns regarding curriculum and progression through the program, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure he/she is following the policies and procedures of the program, college, and university. Students should refer to program student handbook, university student handbook, and the university catalog for all policies and procedures. Total hours required for graduation in School Counseling is 57 hours.
All School Counseling students must provide evidence of successful completion of the Test of Academic Proficiency [formerly 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 registration for internship and before they will be recommended for the School Service Personnel certificate.
Core Courses
Required Core Courses (33 hours)
PSYC 6110 Measurements and Evaluation (3)
COUN 6600 Professional Orientation and Ethical Standards for Counselors (3)
COUN 7620 Life Span Developmental Issues (3)
COUN 6630 Counseling Theories (3)
COUN 7720 Social and Cultural Foundations (3)
COUN 7725 Family Systems: Theory and Practice (3)
COUN 7730 Life Style and Career Development (3)
COUN 7810 Beginning Counseling and Human Relations Skills (3)
COUN 8811 Interventions with Children and Adolescents (3)
COUN 7847 Group Dynamics and Intervention (3)
COUN 7855 Assessment and Treatment Planning (3)
School Counseling Sequence (24 Hours)
COUN 6638 Introduction to School Counseling (3)
COUN 8844 Practicum School Counseling (K-12) (3)
COUN 7851 Consultation and School Staff Development (3)
COUN 8852 School Counselor Academy (3)
COUN 7853 Parent Education: Prevention and Intervention (3)
COUN 8858 Development of School Counseling Programs (3)
COUN 8868 Counseling Internship I: School Counseling (3)
COUN 8869 Counseling Internship II: School Counseling (3)
Alternative School Certification Courses
Students who wish to pursue an Illinois Type 73 certificate and who do not currently hold a valid Illinois or comparable out-of-state initial, standard or master teaching certificate must complete the teaching competency classes as well as the required sequence courses. All other students must complete only the required sequence courses.
Teaching Competency Classes for Non-Certified School Counseling Students
COUN 7620 Lifespan Developmental Issues (3)*
COUN 6622 Applied Learning Theory for School Personnel (3)*
EDAD 7713 Leadership and Organizational Behavior (3)*
SPED 6101 Survey of Students with Exceptionalities (3)*
*or equivalent courses
Remarks
Enrollment in COUN8844 requires prior admission to candidacy and completion of course prerequisites. When registering for courses that require candidacy, students must already have been awarded candidacy, rather than be in the process of applying for candidacy. A 600-hour internship is required for all counseling students.
Professional Standards
