[1] Program Description

The Master of Science (MS) degree in School Counseling (SCCN) is designed to prepare individuals for school counseling programs in P-12 settings and as members of school leadership teams. The program is approved by the Arkansas Department of Education.

[2] Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, students must apply for the School Counseling program. The application process includes submitting letters of recommendation from professional colleagues familiar with your competence as an educator. An interview may be required. GRE (General Section) or Praxis I or verification of a valid standard educator license is required before full admission can be granted.

[3] Admission to Candidacy

Students must apply for admission to candidacy when no fewer than nine and no more than 18 semester hours in the degree program have been successfully completed.

[4] Residency Credit

Students must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours at the University of Central Arkansas. Both the practicum and internship must be completed at the University of Central Arkansas.

[5] Transfer Credit

No more than 12 semester hours of credit with grade “B” or above earned at another institution may be applied to the degree requirements. To be considered for transfer, the semester hours must have been awarded by a state and regionally accredited institution and must complement the student’s approved program of study. Acceptance of transfer credit does not reduce the minimum residency requirement.

[6] Degree Requirements

1. Graduate degree program grade point average of 3.00 or above;
2. Completion of practicum and internship courses with a grade of B or above;
3. Completion of practicum and internship courses in residence;
4. Successful completion of the comprehensive examination (Must be completed prior to enrollment in the internship.);
5. Maximum of nine hours of grade of C are allowable (See item B above.);
6. Satisfactory completion of the state mandated test for school counselors (Note: Candidates employed in states other than Arkansas should consult with the Leadership Studies department chair or program coordinator.);
7. Required courses (48 semester credit hours):
   

   SCCN 6320 Foundations of School Counseling
   SCCN 6330 Multicultural Counseling in Schools
   SCCN 6340 Career Guidance for School Counselors
   SCCN 6350 Developmental Guidance
   SCCN 6360 School Counselor as Consultant
   SCCN 6365 Educational Assessment and Measurement

   SCCN 6375 Group Counseling in Schools OR
   ECSE 6330 Transdisciplinary and Collaborative Practices OR
   LEAD 6330 Individual and Group Counseling in the K-20 Education Environment

   SCCN 6380 School Counseling Intervention Strategies

   SCCN 6390 School Counseling Practicum OR
   SCCN 6391 School Counseling Practicum II

   SCCN 6695 Internship School Counseling
   SLMA 6312 School-Based Organizational Leadership

   COUN 6360 Research Methods in Counseling OR
   LEAD 6321 Research Methods OR
   ASTL 6380 Research Methods

   PSYC 6335 Identification and Remediation of Learning Problems OR
   ECSE 6366 Educational Programming for Students with Mild Disabilities

   PSYC 6354 Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling OR
   LEAD 6320 Counseling Theory in K-20 Education

   PSYC 6370 Advanced Developmental Psychology OR
   ASTL 6315 Investigation of Learning and Development through Multiple Contexts

8. Programs in the College of Education that lead to licensure relating to P–12 schools require a passing score on the appropriate Praxis exam(s) and satisfactory completion of all key assessments identified by the program area. Candidates cannot complete their program unless both of these criteria have been met.

[6.1] Continuous Enrollment Requirement

College of Education graduate students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment throughout their program of study until achieving program completion. Specifically, College of Education graduate students are expected to be enrolled in at least two of the three semesters in a given calendar year (Spring, Summer I or II, and Fall). If a student must take a time-out, the student is expected to notify his/her home department. If a student fails to register for more than one semester out of three in a given calendar year, he/she may be ineligible for readmission unless granted by the home department.

[7] Arkansas License for School Counselors

Candidates must meet the Arkansas Department of Education requirements to be recommended for a school counselor’s license by the Department of Leadership Studies.

[8] Graduate Course Links

[8.1] Courses in School Counseling (SCCN)

Follow this link for SCCN course descriptions: course link.

[8.1] Courses in Other Areas (ASTL, COUN, ECSE, LEAD, PSYC, SLMA)

Follow this linke for ASTL course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for COUN course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for ECSE course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for LEAD course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for PSYC course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for SLMA course descriptions: course link.