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School Counseling

[1] Program Description

The Master of Science degree in School Counseling (SCCN) is designed to prepare individuals for school counseling programs in K-12 settings and as members of school leadership teams. The program is approved by the Arkansas Department of Education. Candidates must be admitted to one of two tracks: An Add-On Track for those who hold a valid Arkansas teaching license and seek to add this license to their teaching license and the Initial License Track for those who do not hold a valid Arkansas teaching license.

[2] Admission Requirements: Both Tracks (full admission)

  1. Meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School. GRE (General Section); or Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics; or verification of a valid standard educator license is required before full admission can be granted. (Note: Candidates holding a valid teaching license from another state should visit with the department chair and/or program coordinator.)
  2. If requested, students are expected to submit supporting evidence to document their professional accomplishments or potential. This evidence may be documented via letters of recommendations and/or personal interviews.

[3] Retention Requirements

Both Tracks

Retention is contingent upon making satisfactory academic progress toward the degree. Violations of the state ethics mandates for P–12 educators, and/or violations of UCA student academic conduct policies may result in suspension or dismissal from the program.

Initial Licensure Track

Complete and submit results from an appropriate background check either prior to enrolling or before the first course requiring a field experience. Contact the Department of Leadership Studies for information on the appropriate screening process. A minimal cost is associated with this screening.

[4] Residence 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. Complete all required coursework with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above. (Required courses are listed below.)
  2. Complete practicum and internship courses with a grade of B or above.
  3. Complete practicum and internship courses in residence.
  4. Complete the program with no more than nine hours of grade of C (see item 2 above).
  5. Complete satisfactorily either the state-mandated licensure test or the program-developed alternative assessment.
  6. 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 6380 School Counseling Intervention Strategies
    SCCN 6390 School Counseling Practicum
    SCCN 6695 Internship
    LEAD 6320 Counseling Theory in K-20 Education
    LEAD 6321 Research Methods
    LEAD 6330 Individual and Group Counseling in the K-20 Education Environment
    ASTL 6315 Investigation of Learning and Development through Multiple Contexts or PSYC 6370 Advanced Developmental Psychology
    ELSE 6366 Educational Programming for Students with Mild Disabilities K–12 or PSYC 6335 Identification and Remediation of Learning Problems
    SLMA 6312 School-Based Organizational Leadership

    All course substitutions including transfer courses must be approved by the program coordinator and department chair.

[7] Arkansas License for School Counselors

In addition to program requirements, candidates must meet the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) requirements to be recommended for a school counselor’s license by the Department of Leadership Studies. Currently, ADE requires the Professional School Counselors examination.

Initial licensure candidates must meet additional requirements established by the Arkansas Department of Education. Current requirements include the following:

  1. Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) test scores required of teachers (elementary, middle level, or secondary test);
  2. ADE-established test scores requirements for the GRE and/or Praxis Core;
  3. ADE general requirements mandated for all first-time licensure candidates. Contact the Office of Candidate Services for a list of these requirements.

[8] Graduate Course Links

[8.1] Courses in School Counseling (SCCN)

Follow this link for SCCN course descriptions: course link.

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

Follow this link for ASTL course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for ELSE 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.