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GRADUATE CERTIFICATE in School Counseling Licensure (SCL/CSCL-ED)

The Department of Leadership and Counseling offers a post-master’s certificate program in school counseling. This program is designed for individuals who already possess a master’s degree in counseling (e.g., community counseling, college counseling, etc.) and who wish to enter the field of school counseling. The Post-Master’s Certificate Program for School Counselor Licensure is a 12-30 semester-hour program that provides competencies and proficiencies for entry-level positions as school counselors in elementary, middle/junior high, secondary, and adult education settings. Upon completion of the certificate program, students are eligible to apply for K-12 school counselor license issued by the Michigan Department of Education.

Candidates selected for this program are expected to make a major commitment to their graduate training and to enroll in coursework on a regular basis. The program includes a 300-600 clock-hour supervised counseling internship experience. The program does not meet the academic and internship requirements for limited licensure as a professional counselor (LLPC) in the State of Michigan and cannot be used to supplement a previous master’s degree to become eligible for the LLPC. Information on requirements to become eligible for licensure as a professional counselor is available in the Student Handbook for Counseling Programs.

ADMISSION DEADLINES

Semester	All Students
Fall	May 15
Winter	September 15
Spring	February 10
Summer	March 1

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to all programs is selective. The selection process is designed to assess the candidate’s suitability for graduate study and for a professional career in counseling. Candidates who are selected for these programs are expected to make major commitments to their graduate training.

1. Applicants must have graduated from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a master’s degree in counseling within the past 15 years. The practicum course (COUN 686 or equivalent) must have been taken during master’s degree program. Fieldwork does not substitute for practicum.
   
2. Evidence of academic aptitude for graduate-level study, that includes at least one of the following:
   
   a. A 2.75 overall undergraduate GPA, or a 3.0 GPA in the second half of the undergraduate degree program.
   
   b. A graduate GPA of a 3.3 on a previously completed advanced degree.
   
   c. An acceptable Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score as defined be the department (contact the Coordinator of Graduate Advising). The GRE score may not be more than 5 years old.
   
   d. Applicants not meeting other criteria, but having an acquired knowledge of the counseling field based on five years of related experience, may be eligible. Students applying under this provision must contact the coordinator of advising for specific procedures prior to application to the Graduate School.
   
   
3. International students must meet at least one of the following additional criteria:
   
   a. A score of 550 (Total) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a score of 230 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and a rating of 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE). (Additional course work in composition may be required.) These tests must have been taken within the past five years.
   
   b. A score of 80 on the Michigan English Language Ability Battery (MELAB) and a rating of at least 3.0 on the oral interview portion of the MELAB. (Additional course work in composition may be required.) These tests must have been taken within the past five years.
   
   
4. A minimum of three to five years of documented work experience, the majority of which involves working with school-aged children or adolescents. This experience may consist of paid, professional roles or structured volunteer experiences in organized work settings and should be focused on improving the mental health, behavior, academic success or social skills of the children.
   
5. Statement of Intent: (Personal Statement on the Graduate Application) A one-page statement focusing on the applicant’s motivation and rationale for seeking admission to the specific program as well as his or her background and goals related to professional studies.
6. Résumé: A focused, one-page summary of program-relevant educational, career and/or life experiences.
7. Recommendation Forms: Three recommendations must be completed on recommendation forms available from the department. They should be completed by professionals with knowledge of the applicant’s suitability for graduate work (e.g., supervisors, undergraduate professors).

ADMISSION PROCESS
Admission to counseling programs occurs during a two-phase cycle. Applicants are screened during the semester prior to the semester desired for admission. All materials must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions office by the established deadlines.

1. Graduate Admissions receives and gathers all required documents. After all materials (including transcripts, recommendation forms, résumé, letter of intent, other statements and GRE) are on file, they are sent to the department for review.
   
2. The program review process is conducted in two phases.
   
   Phase I: Applicants are screened based on the following criteria: academic potential as reflected in the GPA and GRE scores; compatibility of applicant’s goals and program goals as expressed in the letter of intent; and educational, career and life experiences that demonstrate interest in a career as a professional counselor or student personnel worker, as reflected in the résumé and letters of recommendation.
   
   Phase II: Based on the Phase I review, select applicants are invited to campus for a series of interviews with the program faculty.
   
   
3. Final admission decisions are then made by the faculty.

APPEAL
The admissions appeal procedure provides each applicant with the opportunity to appeal formally the admissions decision. Appeal must be based on capricious or unfair treatment during the admissions process. This procedure is not intended to handle the case of applicants who do not meet minimum standards for admission as outlined in the graduate catalog. Appeal must begin within five working days of the start of the next semester, i.e., the semester following the admissions decision. Students wishing to appeal must contact the coordinator of advising to obtain a written outline of the appeal procedure.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Throughout the program, students are encouraged to become more aware of themselves, to evaluate their own potential for careers in counseling and to grow both personally and professionally. Courses provide opportunities for growth and development through self-exploration activities (e.g. role-playing, personal reaction papers, values clarification exercises, participation in groups). Involvement in one’s own counseling is encouraged. Opportunities are available at University Counseling Services and through referral to outside sources. Students are encouraged to join professional organizations, to attend workshops and conferences, and to become involved in the counseling profession at the state and national levels.

Student performance is reviewed at designated points throughout the program (retention review). The purpose of review is to identify any difficulties the student may be experiencing in the areas of academic achievement and/or skill development, and to develop appropriate plans for remediation. For example, midway through programs students apply to enroll in COUN 686 Counseling Practicum I. At this point program faculty evaluate the readiness of all applicants to begin working with clients in the counseling laboratory.

DISMISSAL
After formal review, program faculty may recommend that a student leave the program. This may occur when student goals and student academic behavior appear incompatible with program goals. In addition, the Graduate School may dismiss students for academic reasons. If a student’s cumulative GPA is less than a 3.0 at the end of any semester, the student is placed on academic probation. The student then has two periods of enrollment to remove this probationary status. If the probationary status is not removed, the student is dismissed from the University for academic reasons.

Students in counseling programs are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and professional manner at all times. The student, as a professional-in-training, must adhere to the code of ethics of the American Counseling Association (ACA). A copy of these standards is distributed with the student handbook for Counseling programs. Because of the nature of the counseling profession, the ethical behavior and development of students is considered and reviewed by the faculty through its dismissal policy. Behavior, personal characteristics or personal issues should not interfere with the capacity of the student to be a helping professional (see student handbook). A full description of the student dismissal policy is contained in the student handbook for counseling programs.

EXIT/GRADUATION
Criteria for exit from any counseling program include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Successful completion of all course work on the program of study with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
   
2. Successful completion of all required practica, fieldwork and internship.
   
3. Successful completion of required culminating seminars and a passing score on the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE).

CURRICULUM
Potential School Counseling Licensure certificate program applicants will be required to fulfill the following admission requirements which reflect those criteria required for the counseling master’s degree program. These include:

Required Courses - 8-10 hours

COUN 612 - The School Counselor (2 hrs)
COUN 650 - Organization and Administration of Guidance Services (2 hrs)
COUN 696 - Seminar: Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in School Counseling (2 hrs)
COUN 786 - The Counseling Internship (2 hrs)
COUN 787 - The Counseling Internship (3 hrs)
COUN 788 - The Counseling Internship (4 hrs)
COUN 789 - The Counseling Internship (6 hrs)

Elective Courses - 4 hours

Four hours of elective courses to be chosen in consultation with an adviser.

Certificate Total - 12-14 hours

*For candidates who have already completed a 600-hour internship as part of their previous master’s degree, only 300 hours of internship in a school setting will be required.

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