Program Learning Objectives
The primary objective of the School Counseling program is to prepare students for entry into elementary, middle or high school counseling positions.
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:
1.Demonstrate master’s level professional counseling dispositions.
2. Demonstrate master’s level theoretical knowledge and competencies in all core counseling domains.
3. Demonstrate, apply, and evaluate master’s level theoretical knowledge and competencies in clinical practice.
4. Demonstrate research and program evaluation to inform professional counseling practice.
5. Design, develop, and implement all aspects of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model.
The program offers a learning environment in which students acquire the academic competencies of the profession and refine them through practical experience, while increasing their own self-understanding, self-confidence and personal effectiveness.
- An understanding of the developmental needs of students in a school setting and recognition of client needs at all developmental levels and the manner in which these needs may be expressed and addressed in the school setting.
2. A commitment to treat each student with respect as a unique individual and to be particularly sensitive and responsive to those students with special needs.
3. An awareness of societal trends, cultural diversity, and changing roles and lifestyle patterns of individuals and the impact of these issues on students and their families.
4. An accurate realization and perception of the multiple roles of the elementary school counselor and current trends of relevant professional organizations.
5. Knowledge of techniques for organizing, coordinating, implementing, and teaching the comprehensive school counseling program curriculum.
6. An understanding that the primary vehicle for helping clients is the helping relationship and an appreciation of various other helping roles.
7. Knowledge and skill in applying helping processes, theoretical frameworks, and facilitative skills to enhance the counseling relationship.
8. Knowledge of group processes, group counseling methods, and the ability to conduct groups appropriate to identified students’ needs and interests.
9. Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques that would enable counselors to respond appropriately to students and their families facing emergency situations.
10. Awareness of appropriate referral processes and resources outside of the school.
11. Knowledge of techniques for consulting with parents, teachers, other educators, and community agencies regarding strategies to help students.
12. Skills and knowledge to apply career development and decision-making approaches to both the counseling relationship and all aspects of comprehensive school counseling program planning through application of sound developmental principles in individual, group, and classroom settings.
13. Knowledge and skill in utilization of occupational and educational information sources to facilitate client decision-making.
14. Knowledge and skill associated with appraisal of the individual including assessment, data-gathering processes, psychometric concepts, relevant ethical and legal concerns, and integration of results into the counseling and consultation processes.
15. Knowledge and skill in utilization of research design and implementation techniques in conducting relevant research studies and applying research findings to current counseling and educational practices.
16. An accurate realization and perception of the multiple roles of the school counselor and current trends of relevant professional organizations.
17. An awareness of legal and ethical issues impacting the work of the school counselor.
Professional Standards and Competencies
The School Counseling Program is competency based and meets the Standards for Program Approval as outlined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). Thus, the program of study is designed to help students with the development of identified school counseling competencies established by PDE. Competencies are taught and practiced throughout the curriculum and evaluated using a variety of assessment procedures.
The American School Counseling Association's School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies document outlines the mindsets and behaviors school counselors need to meet the rigorous demands of the school counseling profession and the needs of pre-K–12 students.