[Program Overview] [Objectives]

School Counseling: A Definition

"A comprehensive school counseling program is developmental and in nature. It is systematic, sequential, clearly defined, and accountable. The program's foundation is developmental psychology, educational philosophy, and counseling methodology. Proactive and preventive in focus, the school counseling program is integral to the education program. It assists students in acquiring and using life-long skills through the development of academic, career, self-awareness and interpersonal communication skills. The goal of the comprehensive school counseling program is to provide all students with life success skills." (ASCA, 1997).

School Counseling Program Overview

The UNI School Counseling program has an outstanding reputation and received the NCACES Innovative Counselor Education Master's Degree Program Award in 1999. Our program is based on long-standing tradition and is delivered by highly energetic faculty who are extensively involved in research, practice, and professional service at the local, state, regional, and national levels. Graduates of this program will have the knowledge and skills to implement a comprehensive, sequential, developmental program as described in the National Standards for School Counseling Programs.

The UNI School Counseling Program

• Prepares graduates for K-12 certification, which provides greater job mobility because graduates can assume a position at any level.
• Exposes students to issues at all grade levels, which enhances knowledge about K-12 program articulation.
• Includes several courses specific to working with children, adolescents, and parents, as opposed to generic counseling courses that do not address concepts specific to school-age populations.
• Emphasizes practical applications of concepts in all coursework.
• Includes a practicum at our site-based school counseling laboratory, one of the few site-based laboratories in the nation. On-site supervision by UNI faculty and consultation with site-based counselors make this an exceptional training opportunity.
• Includes a school-based internship with weekly individual supervision and group seminars by UNI faculty.
• Provides multiple opportunities to interact with and learn from school counseling practitioners in the field.
• Provides numerous opportunities for professional growth and development through UNI-sponsored conferences and networking meetings.

The UNI School Counseling program prepares individuals to practice counseling in elementary, middle, secondary, and K-12 school settings. Graduates of this program will have the knowledge and skills to implement a comprehensive, sequential, developmental program as described in the National Standards for School Counseling Programs. Furthermore, they will be trained to collaborate as well as assume leadership roles in order to promote healthy development for all children and families in a diverse society.

Graduates of this program will recognize that while life is increasingly complex and more young people are growing up in dysfunctional situations which put them more at risk, all children and adolescents struggle to varying degrees with normal developmental tasks which can also create distress. In this program, students will learn how the school counselor works with students, parents, school personnel, and the community to remediate problems after they occur, as well as to promote prevention.

The UNI School Counseling program is unique in that it prepares graduates for K-12 certification. This provides greater job mobility because graduates can assume a position at any level. It also exposes students to the issues at all levels, which enhances their knowledge regarding K-12 program articulation. This program includes several courses specific to working with children, adolescents, and parents. All coursework emphasizes practical application of concepts. A teaching certificate and teaching experience are not required, but non-teaching majors must take 6 additional hours of coursework to meet state department requirements (see program planning sheet for non-teaching majors).

The program includes:

A practicum and an internship totaling a minimum of 150 hours (40 of which are direct client contact hours) an internship totaling a minimum of 600 hours of clinical practice including AT LEAST 240 hours of direct client contact under the supervision of a credentialed school counseling professional, and course work related to each of the core areas designed by CACREP. A program planning sheet which lists all required courses and their appropriate sequencing within the program is included in this packet. Given the many challenges school counselors confront in their jobs, an extended preparation program is essential to adequately prepare students to work effectively in schools. The 54- or 60-semester hour UNI programs also reflect the national trend for longer preparation programs that include both a practicum and an internship which most students complete with a temporary certificate that allows them to practice as a counselor while receiving supervision and completing coursework. (Please note: students without teaching certificates are not eligible for temporary certification according to State Department regulations unless they are hired as at-risk counselors.)