This advanced certificate provides course requirements and supervised fieldwork to prepare for State of Connecticut Certification (068) as a K – 12 School Counselor. Candidates for this certificate program must hold a Master’s Degree in Counseling. In addition, candidates must complete the program prerequisite course in special education required for Connecticut State Department of Education certification. The certificate includes 20-credits of required courses, 12-credits of course content, and eight-credits of fieldwork. Candidates are required to complete a 700-hour, 10-month long supervised internship placement within a school setting. No comprehensive exam or thesis is required. This program is not CACREP accredited.
Admission Criteria
Admission to the program is based on the following criteria:
- Academic background: Students must have an earned master’s degree in counseling, and a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. GPA Waivers are possible under certain circumstances.
- Connecticut State Department of Education's special education requirement: This requirement is a course that is offered at many colleges and universities in Connecticut (at SCSU it is SED 481 or 482 or 502). A list of those courses is available at the CT State Department of Education's Website. You may apply even though you have not completed this final course requirement. Many students opt to take this course in the summer prior to beginning their school counseling program. It is possible for students to complete this prerequisite after acceptance. Students will have one year to complete this requirement once admitted.
- Recommender Contacts: Contact information for at least three individuals who know the candidate in a professional and/or academic setting.
- Admission Essay: A 500-word essay describing the basis of their interest in the School Counseling program at SCSU.
a. Evidence of a desire to enter the program and knowledge of the field.
b. Knowledge of profession.
Note: Prior to being admitted to the program, students may take up to 9 credits on non- matriculated basis. However, taking such courses does not guarantee admission.
- Evidence of completion of an academic skills test including reading, writing and math subscores (including SAT, ACT, GRE, or Praxis Core Combined).
Application Deadline
In order to be considered for admission to the program the following fall, all admissions materials must be received by January 15. In order to be considered for admission to the program the following spring, all admission material must be received by September 15.
For further information: SchoolCounselingGrad@southernct.edu.