SCHOOL COUNSELING

Graduate Counseling students engaged in class discussion

Students in the school counseling program at Villanova are trained to be school leaders and advocates across the school system. They learn to provide evidence-based counseling services to support social/emotional, academic, career and career development of youth.

Completing all requirements of the School Counseling concentration leads to approval for PK-12 School Counselor certification by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and prepares students for professional counselor licensure.

Program Highlights:

  • Focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools and apply multicultural counseling and social justice competencies;
  • Develop, manage, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program to foster student success at the elementary, middle, and high school levels;
  • Learn techniques involved in counseling children and adolescents, as well as consulting with teachers, parents, and other professionals;
  • Understand the key mental health issues in schools and learn theory and skills in crisis counseling;
  • Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP);
  • Students may elect to begin the program full-or part-time. Teachers can receive a discounted tuition and may be able to continue to work throughout much of their time enrolled in the program—see the program director for details.
  • The coursework is based on the standards and recommendations of: the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) National Model for School Counseling Programs and National Standards for School Counseling programs, Ethical Standards for School Counselors developed by ASCA, certification requirements for school counselors as outlined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Education, and the Pennsylvania Standards for School Counseling Programs, NCC examination requirements, and professional counselor licensure requirements of the State of Pennsylvania.

Please note: Students who enroll in this degree may decide to pursue licensure/certification, the requirements for which vary by location. For more information on educational requirements, please review the professional licensure/certification disclosures.

What makes us unique?

  • Join a small cohort of school counseling students welcomed each fall. 
  • Experience a sense of community, support, and partnership with faculty and peers. 
  • Connect with our counseling honor society, Chi Sigma Iota, through social and service events, as well as a peer mentorship program. 
  • Work with expert faculty to present at conferences, co-author papers, and work on research studies. 
  • Develop a professional edge by taking electives in or adding the Online College Admissions Counseling Certificate.  

Questions about this program, please contact Dr. Terence Yee, School Counseling Program Director.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Program Requirements

Students enrolled in the School Counseling Concentration are required to:

  • Complete the core program, including electives related to areas of interest.
  • Complete the PRAXIS II examination.
  • Complete the comprehensive examination, which is an integral part of the program.  Students may opt to conduct a thesis (6 elective credits) in lieu of the comprehensive exam.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in counseling skills during one-semester Practicum and a two-semester (six-credit) Internship.

Students seeking certification to work in Pennsylvania must complete all requirements for a Master's of Science degree in Counseling with concentration in School Counseling. In accord with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, a total of 60 credits are required for the completion of the degree. Students may take up to six years to complete the program. 

Prospective Students interested in reviewing course syllabi or visiting a class are directed to contact the Program Director.

Core Program Courses

Level I  (15 credits)

  • CHR 8605 Laboratory in Counseling Skills
  • CHR 8655 Laboratory in Group Dynamics
  • CHR 8687 Counseling Theory and Practice
  • CHR 8680 School Counseling Orientation
  • CHR 8883 Ethics  and Professional Orientation in Counseling

Level II (33 credits)

  • CHR 8683 Consultation Processes
  • CHR 8855 Assessment and Appraisal
  • CHR 8600 Special Education for Counselors and Teachers
  • CHR 8854 Therapeutic Strategies
  • CHR 8750 Mental Health in Schools
  • CHR 8884 Human Growth and Development
  • CHR 8860 Counseling Diverse Populations
  • CHR 8685 Lifestyle and Career Development
  • CHR 8604 Research and Evaluation
  • CHR 8675 Development of ELL Students
  • CHR 8677 Practicum in School Counseling

Level III (six credits)

  • CHR 8692 Internship I in School Counseling
  • CHR 8694 Internship II in School Counseling


Elective Credits (six credits)

Students can select from a wide range of electives to fulfill this requirement. This includes taking online classes from our certificate program in College Admissions Counseling. 

The culminating field experiences of the Counseling Program are the 100- hour Practicum and the 600- hour Internship experiences. Below are overviews of the classes and experiences. School counseling students must serve in both an elementary and secondary setting during their field experiences.  More detailed information regarding expectations and hours can be found in the Practicum Handbook and Internship Handbook.

Practicum Overview

  • One class over one semester
  • Three credit hours
  • 100 hours over the semester

The Practicum is designed to give students familiarity with the schools, school counseling, the counseling process and conceptualize cases. Students will receive support from a field experience coordinator to find their own placement for Practicum, and must work under the supervision of a certified school counselor or clinical mental health practitioner.

Please note: For full-time students in the School Counseling track, it is recommended that Practicum be completed in the Spring semester of your first year to allow for completion of Internship I & II beginning the following Fall semester. Part-time students will meet each semester with an advisor to plan their courses.

Internship Overview

  • Two classes (Internship I and II) over two semesters
  • Six credit hours total
  • 600 hours over two semesters

The Internship is designed to provide the school counselor trainee with the opportunity to work directly with students individually, and in the classroom, and in small groups. Students will integrate theoretical knowledge with the realities of school counseling practice. 

School Counseling students must work in an approved school under the supervision of a certified school counselor. Scheduling is to be developed by the sponsoring supervising school personnel and the counselor trainee with the approval of their professor.

Comprehensive examinations are required for all students in degree programs, with the exception of those who have written a thesis. Please note, the comprehensive exam is an exit exam for the master's in counseling program, taken by both school and mental health counseling students. This is a different test than the National Counseling Exam (NCE), which students take as part of the process in applying for state licensure (e.g., to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). 

The format of this comprehensive exam is the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE), which is distributed through the Center for Credentialing & Education, Inc. The purpose of the CPCE is to assess counseling students’ knowledge of counseling information viewed as important by counselor preparation programs.

The Counseling Program supports students enrolled in its master's programs to write a thesis as the culminating exercise of their program of studies. A thesis can serve in lieu of the comprehensive exam and fulfills 6 elective credits. Students who are considering doctoral studies at some future point in time are especially encouraged to write a thesis. Prospective students interested in a thesis, should consult with the program director about the process and ensure there is a faculty member who can serve as chair to the thesis committee.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

image of Annie Baker


Katelyn Kempf '20 MS in Counseling, School Counseling Track, 5th - 8th Grade School Counselor, Fair Lawn School District, N.J.


My graduate school experience with Villanova’s counseling program was wonderful. During my time at Villanova, I earned more than 800 hours of counseling experience at the elementary, middle and high school levels in both the Philadelphia area and suburbs. I was thrilled that as a school counseling student, I was allowed and encouraged to take courses both in school counseling and clinical mental health counseling and was able to earn my National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential in addition to my N.J. and Pa. PreK-12 School Counselor certification upon graduation. A few highlights of my time in graduate school include conducting a master’s thesis and gaining leadership experience through the CSI honors society. My professors were so supportive during the job application process and helped me work through my options. After graduating from the school counseling program in May 2020, I worked as a K-4 school counselor for a year, and am now working as a full time 5th-8th grade school counselor in the Fair Lawn Public School District in N.J. I love being a school counselor and am so thankful to know that I will always have a support system through Villanova’s Education and Counseling Department if I am ever in need of future mentorship or guidance! 


READY FOR THE NEXT STEP?

Education & Counseling
St. Augustine Ctr.- Rm 302
Villanova University
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085

     

      

DEADLINES

EDUCATION

  • Fall Assistantship: March 1
  • Fall: Rolling until August 1
  • Spring: Rolling until December 1
  • Summer: Rolling until May 1


EDUCATION PLUS TEACHER CERTIFICATION

Summer and Fall admittance only

  • Assistantship: March 1
  • Summer Admission: Rolling until May 1
  • Fall Admission: Rolling until August 1
  • Students interested in enrolling on a part-time basis should contact Dr. Lisa Marco-Bujosa directly.


CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

Fall admittance only

  • Fall Assistantship: January 8
  • Fall: January 8
     

SCHOOL COUNSELING

Fall admittance only

  • Fall Assistantship: March 1
  • Fall: March 1
     

COLLEGE COUNSELING CERTIFICATE

  • Fall: Rolling until August 1
  • Spring: Rolling until December 1
  • Summer: Rolling until May 1