School counseling licensure program (K-12)
(State of Minnesota licensure in K-12 school counseling)
The school counseling licensure program prepares counselors for work in K-12 schools.
The program is offered through the counseling and student personnel psychology (CSPP) program in the Department of Educational Psychology (EdPsych).
This part-time program is designed for professionals who already hold a graduate-level degree in counseling or a related field, but want to broaden their career development with a K-12 school counseling license. Examples include the M.Ed. (master of education), master of arts (M.A.), master of science (M.S.), doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.), or doctor of education (Ed.D.). The CSPP program prepares students to meet the counseling licensure requirements of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and Minnesota Board of Teaching (BOT).
The licensure program builds on graduate-level coursework and is individualized for each student. Some classes are offered at convenient late-afternoon and evening hours.
Four program tracks are available, depending on the student’s prior experience and education:
- Current school counselors licensed only at the elementary or secondary level
- Professionals with graduate degrees in fields related to counseling (e.g., psychology, social work, education, or corrections)
- Professionals with graduate degrees in counseling (e.g., M.Ed., M.A., M.S., Ph.D., or Ed.D.) from the University of Minnesota
- Professionals with graduate degrees in counseling from other institutions
For more information, see the CSPP Web site.
Admission
To apply to this program, submit the CEHD Additional Licensure Application.
The application packet must include the following items:
- A two-page, typed, double-spaced statement of why you are interested in school counseling, including your academic, personal, and interpersonal qualifications
- Two letters of reference supporting your school counseling application
- A résumé
- Official graduate transcripts. Transcripts must be received from the issuing school in a sealed and stamped envelope.
- A nonrefundable application fee of $55.00 (check payable to the University of Minnesota)
For application information, contact the college’s office of Student Services, 612-625-6501; fax: 612-626-1580; e-mail: cehdgrad@umn.edu.
Send application materials to:
Student Services
College of Education and Human Development (CEHD)
250 Education Sciences Building
56 River Road
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Application deadlines
Application materials must be submitted by the following dates:
- June 1—fall term
- November 1—spring term
Costs and financial aid
Students in this program pay the “professional school” tuition rate. Tuition varies, depending on the student’s degree program, and student and residency status.
More information about tuition rates and fees
Curriculum
Students in all four program tracks must complete designated coursework and practicum experiences in K-12 settings, under direct supervision of a licensed school counselor. Requirements may vary, depending on coursework listed on the transcript and current license; official transcripts will be evaluated by program faculty.
1. For current school counselors licensed only at the elementary or secondary level
EDPA 5341—The American Middle School (3 cr)
EPSY 5415— Child and Adolescent Development and Counseling (3 cr)
EPSY 8503—Counseling Practicum I (1-4 cr)
or EPSY 8504—Counseling Practicum II (1-4 cr)
Students must complete 200 hours of practicum experience (EPSY 8503 or EPSY 8504) in schools, under direct supervision of a licensed school counselor:
- 100 hours in one level of school (e.g., middle school)
- 100 hours in one level of school (e.g., elementary school)
Example: Students who are currently licensed to work in an elementary school must complete 100 hours at a middle school and 100 hours at a high school. These hours may be completed in the same school district or in two different school districts; they also may be completed concurrently or sequentially, depending on your circumstances and/or the schedule of your supervisors. After being accepted into the program, students must arrange practicum sites, with final approval by the practicum instructor.
Practicum requirements
Practicum requirements are similar for the following three program tracks. Students in each program track must complete 600 hours of practicum experience in schools, under direct supervision of a licensed school counselor:
- 400 hours in the core area (e.g., high school)
- 100 hours in one level of school (e.g., middle school)
- 100 hours in one level of school (e.g., elementary school)
Example: Students who expect to work in a middle school must complete 400 hours in the middle school under supervision of a middle-school counselor. You would also need to complete 100 hours at an elementary and 100 hours at a high school. These hours may be completed in the same school district or in three different school districts. These hours may be completed concurrently or sequentially, depending on schedules of students and supervisors. Practicum sites must be arranged by the student with final approval by the practicum instructor.
2. For professionals with graduate degrees in related fields (e.g., psychology, social work, education, or corrections)
EPSY 5415—Child and Adolescent Development and Counseling (4 cr)
EPSY 8402—Individual Counseling: Theory and Applications (3 cr)
EPSY 8403—Social/Cultural Contexts: Counseling and Skills (3 cr)
EPSY 8404—Group Counseling: Theory, Applications, and Skills (3 cr)
EPSY 8405—Career Development: Theory, Skills, and Counseling Applications (3 cr)
EPSY 8435—Organization of School Counseling Comprehensive Programs (spring) (3 cr)
EPSY 8436—Crisis Management and Consulting in School Counseling (3 cr)
EPSY 8501—Counseling Pre-Practicum (3 cr)
EPSY 8503—Counseling Practicum I (1-4 cr)
EPSY 8504—Counseling Practicum II (1-4 cr)
Students without K-12 teaching background must also complete six (6) credits. The following courses are recommended:
CI 5138—Multicultural and Moral Perspectives on Classroom Instruction (3 cr)
CI 5155—Contemporary Approaches to Instruction and Assessment (3 cr)
EDPA 5341—The American Middle School (3 cr)
EPSY 5135—Human Relations Workshop (4 cr)
EPSY 5152—Psychology of Conflict Resolution (3 cr)
EPSY 5614—Foundations of Special Education II (3 cr)
EPSY 5616—Behavior Analysis and Classroom Management (3 cr)
EPSY 5656—Social and Interpersonal Characteristics of Students with Disabilities (3 cr)
EPSY 5657—Interventions for Social and Emotional Disabilities (3 cr)
Coursework requirements
Coursework requirements are similar for the following two program tracks:
3. For professionals with graduate degree in counseling (from CSPP program at the University of Minnesota)
4. For professionals with graduate degrees in counseling from other institutions—A review of the student’s graduate degree transcript may dictate more or fewer courses needed, depending on core courses such as multicultural counseling, group counseling, career counseling, theory of counseling, and a skills or pre-practicum course.
EPSY 5415—Child and Adolescent Development and Counseling (4 cr)
EPSY 8435—Organization of School Counseling Comprehensive Programs (3 cr)
EPSY 8436—Crisis Management and Consulting in School Counseling (3 cr)
EPSY 8503—Counseling Practicum I (1-4 cr)
EPSY 8504—Counseling Practicum II (1-4 cr)
Students without K-12 teaching background must complete six (6) credits. The following courses are recommended:
CI 5138—Multicultural and Moral Perspectives on Classroom Instruction (3 cr)
CI 5155—Contemporary Approaches to Instruction and Assessment (3 cr)
EDPA 5341—The American Middle School (3 cr)
EPSY 5135—Human Relations Workshop (4 cr)
EPSY 5152—Psychology of Conflict Resolution (3 cr)
EPSY 5614—Foundations of Special Education II (3 cr)
EPSY 5616—Behavior Analysis and Classroom Management (3 cr)
EPSY 5656—Social and Interpersonal Characteristics of Students with Disabilities (3 cr)
EPSY 5657—Interventions for Social and Emotional Disabilities (3 cr)
Program faculty
Kay Herting Wahl, Ed.D.
Director of School Counseling
Department of Educational Psychology
College of Education and Human Development
University of Minnesota
612-624-4577
e-mail: kwahl@umn.edu
Frequently asked questions about the school counseling licensure program (K-12)
Revised November 2008