The School Counseling Program is designed to produce educationally oriented counselors with broadly based, multi-disciplinary backgrounds. Graduates are equipped to counsel pupils as well as parents and teachers; to consult with parents, teachers and other school and community personnel to advocate for students and parents and to coordinate the resources of the school and the community in order to meet the developmental needs of the students. The role calls for facilitating, nurturing persons knowledgeable of educational objectives and accustomed to working with others in providing leadership and expertise in child growth and development, assessment, group process facilitation, interviewing and consultation skills, classroom intervention techniques, interpersonal dynamics, and the curriculum of the school.
Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP)
School Counseling Faculty: Andrea Dixon, Ph.D. - Program Coordinator,
Program of Study
A. Professional Studies (9)
Required (9):
CPS 8260 Program Evaluation, Advocacy, and Leadership in School Counseling (3)
EPRS 7900 Methods of Research in Education (3)
CPS 7340 Social/Cultural Issues in Counseling and Psychological Services (3)
B. Teaching Field/Major (32)
Required (20):
CPS 6150 Ethical and Legal Standards in Counseling and Psychological Services (2)
CPS 6410 Basic Counseling Skills (3)
CPS 6450 Group Counseling Systems (3)
CPS 7260 Counseling Systems and Interventions (3)
CPS/EPY 7500 Individual and Family Over the Life Span (3)
CPS 7550 Consultation in School Counseling (3)
CPS 8470 Crisis Intervention (3)
Select one of the following two options (12):
1. Elementary-Middle Grades School Counseling
Required (12):
CPS 6020 Introduction to Elementary and Middle School Counseling (3)
CPS 7300 Career Theory, Assessment, and Intervention (3)
CPS 7450 Educational and Psychological Appraisal (3)
CPS 8400 Introduction to Play Therapy (3)
2. Secondary School Counseling
Required (9):
CPS 6030 Introduction to Secondary School Counseling (3)
CPS 7300 Career Theory, Assessment, and Intervention (3)
CPS 7450 Educational and Psychological Appraisal (3)
Select one (Only Secondary School Counseling make a selection) (3):
CPS 8380 Family Systems and Interventions (3)
CPS 8400 Play Therapy (3)
CPS 8460 Biopsychosocial Aspects of Addictions (3)
C. Applied Practice (7)
Required (3):
CPS 7661 Applied Practice I: School Counseling (3)
Required (4):
CPS 7681 Internship: School Counseling (4)
Program total: minimum of 48 semester hours
The program for the major in school counseling is designed to prepare students for certification. Degree requirements may exceed the minimum number of hours for professional certification. The ACA requires 700 hours of supervision during practicum/internship in School Counseling. In addition, the Counseling and Psychological Services Department requires 200 hours of supervision in school counseling during practicum/internship for students that do not possess a S-5 certification in Georgia Public Schools. The School Counseling program offers concentrations in either elementary/middle school or secondary school.
PLEASE NOTE: Effective Summer 2005 the M.Ed. - Ed.S. School Counseling curriculum will be designed in a cohort format. This requires students take prescribed classes in certain semesters, sharing the educational experience with students who have the same educational needs. If a student must deviate from the cohort schedule there is the possibility the courses may not be available in semesters other than those in which they are scheduled.