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.

Students in either track can also choose to complete the add-on School Counseling to Mental Health Counseling Graduate Certificate. This graduate certificate concentration provides students the opportunity to complete 15 credit hours of additional coursework to earn a School Counseling to Mental Health Counseling Graduate Certificate and be eligible for LPC/LAC Clinical Mental Health Counseling licensure. The program is approved by the Arkansas Department of Education.

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

Both Tracks (full admission)

1. Meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School.
2. Submit the school counseling application form.
3. Provide two professional references.
4. Provide a statement of intent (purpose for becoming a school counselor).
5. If requested, submit supporting evidence to document professional accomplishments potential. This evidence may be documented via letters of recommendations and/or personal interviews.
6. Submit a completed Program Recommendation by Administrator Form from their principal or superintendent stating his/her understanding that the student (his/her employee) will be completing field work and assignments in their classroom and school. If the applicant is not currently teaching, they will indicate this on the form.

Additional Admission Requirements
[2.1] Initial Licensure Track

1. Submit a copy of the applicant’s complete AELS (Arkansas Educator Licensure System) page showing background check clearance.*

[2.2] Add-On Track

1. Submit a copy of the applicant’s current Arkansas teaching license.
2. If not currently teaching, submit a copy of a cleared background check.*

*Follow this link for information on acquiring an appropriate background check:
https://uca.edu/ocs/background-check-status/ A minimal cost is associated with this screening.

[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

Candidates must meet the Graduate School policy of 24 credit hours. Both the practicum and internship must be completed at the University of Central Arkansas.

[5] Transfer Credit

Candidates are referred to the following parts of this bulletin for details: section 7 of the Admission to Graduate Study page and section 13 of the General Requirements for Graduate Study page.

[6] Degree Requirements (45 – 60 hours)

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 for the Master of Science degree in School Counseling without the School Counseling to Mental Health Counseling Graduate Certificate (45 semester credit hours for add-on licensure; 48 semester credit hours for initial licensure):
   SCCN 6320 Foundations of School Counseling
   SCCN 6324 Lifespan Development for School Counselors
   SCCN 6330 Multicultural Counseling in Schools
   SCCN 6332 Counselors and Schooling Practices (only for students seeking initial licensure)†
   SCCN 6340 Career Guidance for School Counselors
   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
   SCCN 6325 Counseling Theory in K-20 Education
   SLMA 6335 Research Methods
   SCCN 6335 Individual and Group Counseling in the K-20 Education Environment
   ELSE 6366 Educational Programming for Students with Mild Disabilities K–12 or PSYC 6335 Identification and Remediation of Learning Problems
   SLMA 6325 Visionary Leadership: Building a Culture of Trust and High Expectations
7. Additional courses for the Master of Science degree in School Counseling with the School Counseling to Mental Health Counseling Graduate Certificate (15 semester credit hours):
   PSYC 6314 Psychopathology
   PSYC 6344 Technology-Assisted Therapy
   PSYC 6393 Marital and Family Therapy
   PSYC 6398 Legal and Ethical Issues in Psychology and Counseling
   PSYC 6372 Psychopharmacology

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

[7] School Counseling to Mental Health Counseling Graduate Certificate (GC)

School Counseling to Mental Health Counseling Graduate Certificate (GC) provides students who are enrolled in, or who have completed, the MS in School Counseling program the opportunity to complete additional coursework to be eligible for LPC/LAC Clinical Mental Health Counseling licensure. The program is approved by the Arkansas Department of Education. Students who have already earned an MS in School Counseling degree must apply and be admitted to the School Counseling to Mental Health Counseling GC program.

[7.1] Admission Requirements for Applicants with an MS in School Counseling

1. Meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School.
2. Submit the School Counseling to Mental Health Counseling Graduate Certificate application form.
3. Provide two professional references.
4. Provide a statement of intent (purpose for becoming a mental health counselor). A formal interview will also be conducted as part of the admission process.
5. If requested, submit supporting evidence to document professional accomplishments potential. This evidence may be documented via letters of recommendations and/or personal interviews.
6. Submit a transcript showing all completed school counseling courses.
7. Final admission will occur after the background check has been completed.

[7.2] Retention Requirements

Retention is contingent upon making satisfactory academic progress toward the certificate. 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.

[7.3] Course Requirements (15 hours)

Complete the following required courses with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or above.

[8] Arkansas License for School Counselors

1. In addition to program requirements, all 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.
2. Initial licensure candidates must meet additional requirements established by the Arkansas Department of Education. Contact the Program Coordinator and/or the Office of Candidate Services for a list of these requirements. Initial licensure candidates must obtain passing scores on a summative assessment in SCCN 6332 to show proficiency in pedagogy.
3. All candidates pursuing School Counseling to Mental Health Counseling Graduate Certificate must meet the requirements of the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling and Marriage & Family Therapy to be recommended by the Department of Leadership Studies for Clinical Mental Health Counselor licensure. Currently, the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling and Marriage & Family Therapy requires the National Counselor Examination (NCE).

[9] Graduate Course Links

[9.1] Courses in School Counseling (SCCN)

Follow this link for SCCN course descriptions: course link.

[9.2] Courses in Other Areas (ELSE, PSYC, SLMA)

Follow this link for ELSE course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for PSYC course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for SLMA course descriptions: course link.