Acadmic Programs: School Counseling

This program prepares students for counseling positions in public and private agencies as school counselors or personal counselors. Students are trained to productively understand themselves and their clients and are educated in theories and skills leading toward effective individual and group counseling. The programs make use of an integrated didactic and experiential approach. Students are given personalized advisement about the internships and electives which will best serve their future career goals.

Inquiries may be directed to:
Dr. Beth Weiner, Program Director,
School Counseling and School Psychology
beth.weiner@liu.ed

Admissions Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree from an Accredited institution
2. Undergraduate GPA of 2.75
3. Two letters of recommendation
4. Personal essay
5. Current resume

Degree requirements

1. Completion of all coursework with G.P.A. of 3.0 or better
2. Passing the comprehensive examination
3. Demonstration of interpersonal competencies and emotional maturity associated with effective counseling outcomes

Individuals seeking only to complete NYSED’s certification internship requirement through LIU:

1. Individuals must meet the admissions requirements listed above.
2. Have an M.A. in Counseling in which they attained a G.P.A. of 3.0 or above
3. These individuals will be required to complete two electives at the LIU Westchester Graduate Campus prior to the internship course. Individuals will only be endorsed for internship placement upon completion of each of these courses with a grade of B+ or better.

The following three programs leading to certification are offered:

1. Master of Science in Education in School Counseling and Recommendation for New York State Provisional Certificate as a School Counselor. (48 credits)
2. Permanent State Certification
Students who complete the master’s degree may apply to and, if accepted, continue on and take an additional 12 credits in order to complete New York State requirements for permanent certification.
3. Bilingual School Counselor
Master of Science in Education and provisional state certification as a Bilingual School Counselor. Enrollment is limited to students proficient in a foreign language. (48 credits)

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Master of Science in Education in School Counseling (M.S.Ed.)
This degree leads to a Provisional New York State Certificate as a School Counselor.

Courses (48 credits)
All courses are three credits unless noted.
* SPC 615 The World of the Counselor
* SPC652 Understanding Human Development I (psychoanalytic approach to development)
* SPC 653 Understanding Human Development II (non-psychoanalytic approach to development)
* SPC 654 Introduction to Counseling Process and Application I
* SPC 656 Introduction to Counseling Process and Application II
* SPC 600 Fieldwork: Directed Observation and Practice in Agency Settings
(Pre-internship experience)
SPC 660A Practicum in Group Work I
* SPC 660A Practicum in Group Work II
* SPC 661A Individual Practicum I-School (Monolingual)
SPC 661D Individual Practicum II-School (Monolingual)
* SPC 668 Diagnostic Tools for Measurement
* SPC 682 World of Work: Assessment of Individual Needs and Needs of Society
SPC 657A Family Counseling in Urban Settings
SPC 601 Fieldwork: Directed Observation and Practice in Schools
(Students who have two years of paid teaching experience may substitute an elective)
SPC 6__ Electives (3-6 credits)

*At the completion of these 30 credits and workshops in child abuse detection and violence prevention, students are eligible for the New York State Provisional Certificate in School Counseling. Provisional certification is granted for a period of five (5) years.

Permanent State Certification

Students may complete an additional 12 credits for New York State Permanent Certification. Permanent State Certification requires 60credits in total. Two years of full-time experience as a counselor (K-12) is also required.

Additional electives or
SPC 665 Internship I (6 credits)
SPC 666 Internship II (6 credits)

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Bilingual Counselor Certification Program

Master’s In Science In Education With Recommendation For Provisional Certification As A Bilingual School Counselor.

To earn a Master’s in Science in Education with Recommendation for Provisional Certification as a Bilingual School Counselor students are required to successfully complete forty-two (42) credits in Counseling and six (6) credits in the Department of Education.

Students must demonstrate oral and written proficiency in English and in the target language. A New York State Teacher Certification Examination is required for the provisional bilingual certificate.

Courses (42 credits)
All courses are three credits.
SPC 615 The World of the Counselor
SPC 652 Understanding Human Development I (psychoanalytic approach to development)
SPC 653 Understanding Human Development II (non-psychoanalytic approach to development)
SPC 654 Introduction to Counseling Process and Application I
SPC 656 Introduction to Counseling Process and Application II
SPC 657 Family Counseling in Urban Settings
SPC 600 Fieldwork: Directed Observation and Practice in an Agency Setting
(Pre-internship experience)
SPC 661A Individual Practicum -School (I)
SPC 682 World of Work: Assessment of Individual Needs and Needs of Society
SPC 660A Practicum in Group Work (I)
SPC 601 Fieldwork: Directed Observation and Practice in Inner-city Schools
(Students who have two years teaching experience may substitute an elective)

Specialized Bilingual Courses
SPC 600B Fieldwork: Directed Observation and Practice in Agency Settings (Bilingual)
(Pre-internship experience)
SPC 661B Individual Practicum (Bilingual) Trainees counsel non-English speaking clients
(Practicum is conducted in the targeted language of instruction.)
SPC 668B Diagnostic Tools for Measurement: Emphasis on Bilingual Testing

Teacher education courses (TED) required for bilingual extension

Courses (6 credits)
TED516 Learning in Bilingual/Multicultural Settings. (equivalent to TAL 612)
TED 515 Multicultural Perspectives in Education.

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Course Descriptions

SPC 502 Substance Abuse: Prevention and Intervention
This course is designed to equip the counselor with the knowledge to help persons with substance-abuse problems. The focus of the class will be to review the historical background of substance abuse and dependency; study the psychological, social, pharmacological and legal aspects of substance abuse; recognize that alcohol dependency can become an adaptive response; and develop an awareness in the student of the important role of prevention. Textbooks, films and speakers will be used. Offered on occasion. Three credits.

SPC 503 Counseling Women
The new freedom of women to participate more fully in the business and professional worlds and their need to adopt new lifestyles have underlined the importance of reconsidering career choices, marriage styles, child rearing practices, etc. Consideration of these and other challenging issues resulting from an open society will be discussed. Individual interest areas of class members will be considered. Offered on occasion. Three credits.

SPC 504 Approaches to Human Sexuality
An examination of the origins, forms and applications of human sexuality, alternative sexual preferences and lifestyles, psychological and sociological implications of the sexual drive, sexual dysfunction, research in human sexuality, applications to the counseling and mental health service settings. Offered on occasion. Three credits.

SPC 517 Child Development
Examines the major theories of child development and their implications for teaching. Emphasis will be placed on cognitive, language, sensorimotor and social/emotional development of youngsters from birth through early adolescence. The significance of early experience on later development will also be discussed. Three credits.

SPC 600A Fieldwork: Directed Observation and Practice in Agency Setting
This course is designed to enable the prospective school counselor to become familiar with the environmental and sociological aspects of the urban community; a fuller understanding of the various dimensions involved in working in the urban setting is stressed. Field experience will consist of guided and supervised experiences in various community settings. Pass/Fail only. Three credits.

SPC 600B Fieldwork: Directed Observation and Practice in Agency Setting (Bilingual)
This course is designed to enable the prospective school counselor to become familiar with the environmental and sociological aspects of the urban community; a fuller understanding of the various dimensions involved in working with non-English speaking populations is stressed. Field experience will consist of guided and supervised experiences in various community settings serving non English-speaking populations. Pass/Fail only. Three credits.

SPC 601 Fieldwork: Directed Observation and Practice in Inner-City Schools
To enable the prospective school counselor to become familiar with the environmental and sociological aspects of the urban school community. Directed observation made within the public schools of the metropolitan New York area. The student will be required to be an observer within the school setting and complete appropriate projects. Pass/Fail only. Three credits.

SPC 607 Independent Research in Counseling
Advanced students may register for intensive independent study of some aspect of counseling. This provides an opportunity for the student to contribute to the advancement of the field of counseling as well as to practice it. He or she is expected to design a research proposal and to use scientific methodology in executing it. Pass/Fail only. Credit and hours arranged with approval and permission of instructor.

SPC 615 The World of the Counselor
An examination of the basic issues affecting the school counselor practicing in the contemporary world, with particular emphasis on the urban situation. The nature and scope of counseling, the relationship between counseling and other pupil personnel services, social agencies, vocational and rehabilitative settings, and the interaction between counseling and the broader education process are some of the issues explored. Three credits.

SPC 639 Youth Culture and the Urban Setting
An overview of the problems faced by today’s youth in the urban environment, with particular emphasis on individual and group counseling techniques available for dealing with drug-abuse problems. The sociology of youth culture, methods of spotting drug abuse, treating the immediate problem, prevention and community health will be explored. Offered on occasion. Three credits.

SPC 652 Understanding Human Development I
Theories and research in various analytic schools of counseling. In addition, analytic theories of personality dynamics and development are studied. Emphasis on understanding the individuals and their values in the context of their particular reaction mechanisms and experiences. Experiences related to sociocultural environment. Unconscious phenomena considered. Transference and counter- transference reactions studied. Importance of childhood reactions and experiences in the life of the individual. Three credits.

SPC 653 Understanding Human Development II
An overview of theories and research in various schools of non-analytic counseling. Emphasis on understanding the individual in the context of his or her experiences and particular environment. An understanding of the goals and methods applied to the client by various nonanalytic schools of counseling.
Three credits.

SPC 654 Introduction to Counseling and Application I
A foundation course, introducing the student to the theory and practice of counseling. It provides a broad exposure to the various current points of view and techniques in counseling. Development of counselor skills is stressed, with emphasis on personal growth, self-insight and self-awareness. Three credits.

SPC 655 Behavior Management: Applications for Children with Special Needs
For learning to proceed optimally, the setting must be one where behaviors (social, emotional and cognitive) are managed. This course will provide students with practical skills needed to plan, implement and evaluate behavior management programs for both individuals and groups of children in a variety of learning environments. Considered will be techniques such as behavior modification, self-control, social skills training, assertiveness training and effective education programs. Offered on occasion. Three credits.

SPC 656 Introduction to Counseling and Application II
An advanced study of counseling techniques with emphasis on case materials and role-playing. Special attention will be given to those aspects of modern psychoanalytic technique appropriate to vocational problems and school setting. Three credits.
Prerequisite: SPC 654.

SPC 657A Family Counseling in an Urban Setting
Overview of theories of family therapy and study of patterns of family interaction. Techniques for improving family functioning are discussed as well as techniques for dealing with the family in group counseling. Marital counseling and parent counseling are studied. Attention is given to government and private agencies that deal with the emotional problems faced by urban families. Offered on occasion. Three credits.

SPC 657B, 657C Practicum in Family Counseling
Practical experience of working with clients under supervision in an agency. Pass/Fail only. Three credits per semester.
Prerequisite: SPC 657A.

SPC 658 The Counselor as a Team Member
An introduction to student personnel services in school settings; various forms of organization and functions; the multidisciplinary foundations of guidance services in schools. Focus on contemporary issues of concern to student personnel work, and specifically on the role of the counselor as a team member of the student personnel staff, Pass/Fail only. Offered on occasion. Three credits.

SPC 660 I, 660 II Practicum in Group Work I, II
An overview of theories, research, techniques, and processes in the dynamics of group counseling, with particular emphasis on the role of the leader, the participation of group members, the cohesiveness of the group, the measurement of growth of each group member. The opportunities of using group techniques for school counseling, teaching, community work, tutorial programs, and vocational and educational counseling are considered, Pass/Fail only. Three credits per semester.

SPC 661 Individual Practicum I
Practical experience of working with counselees under supervision in a K-12 school. In addition to meeting their clients, students also participate in weekly seminars to discuss and evaluate the counseling process. Students may be required to tape and transcribe counseling sessions, participate in video sessions and submit reactions to assigned readings. Pass/Fail only. Three credits.

SPC 661D Individual Practicum II
Practical experience of working with counselees under supervision in community agencies and clinics. In addition to meeting their clients, students also participate in weekly seminars to discuss and evaluate the counseling process. Students may be required to tape and transcribe counseling sessions, participate in video sessions and submit reactions to assigned readings. Pass/Fail only. Three credits.

SPC 661B Individual Practicum I (Bilingual)
Practical experience of working with limited-English proficiency counselees under supervision in a K-12 school. In addition to meeting their clients, students also participate in weekly seminars to discuss and evaluate the counseling process. Students may be required to tape and transcribe counseling sessions, participate in video sessions and submit reactions to assigned readings. Counseling sessions are conducted in the target language of the graduate student. Pass/Fail only. Three credits.

SPC 668 Diagnostic Tools for Measurement
The function of measurement and evaluation; purpose of testing in schools, agencies and colleges; uses and abuses of tests in our society; achievement, aptitude and psychological tests; use of resource materials; validity, reliability and norms, statistical and clinical procedures, administration and interpretation of tests, role-playing; communication of test results. Three credits.

SPC 668B Diagnostic Tools for Measurement (Bilingual)
Emphasis on bilingual testing and cultural diversity; the function of measurement and evaluation; purpose of testing in schools, agencies and colleges; uses and abuses of tests in our society; achievement, aptitude and psychological tests; use of resource materials; validity, reliability and norms; statistical and clinical procedures; administration and interpretation of tests; role-playing, communication of test results. Three credits.

SPC 675 Introduction to the Techniques of Substance Abuse Counseling: Treatment and Rehabilitation
Introduces basic alcoholism and substance abuse counseling techniques. Treatment approaches and their role and function in the recovery process will be examined. Includes assessment; treatment planning; care management; individual, group and peer counseling. Also includes methods for guiding recovering individuals towards appropriate vocational choices. Offered on occasion. Three credits.

SPC 682 World of Work: Assessment of Individual Needs and Needs of Society
The importance of work to individuals during their life span and its implication for society; psychological, economic and social factors that affect vocational development and choice; relationship of vocational counseling to personal/social counseling; the counselor’s role in clients’ vocational development; scope and sources of occupational information; application of vocational development theories to school, college and agency settings; visits to job settings, interviews with employees, employers and agency representatives; analysis of job satisfaction. Three credits.

Special Summer Institutes

Each year the critical areas of interest are identified. One-week Summer Institutes are then planned for intensive study related to these issues. Each institute features widely known speakers on the topic. Graduate students may apply a maximum of six institute credits to their degree programs, if appropriate. Special Summer Institutes carry the course number SPC 745.

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