COLLEGE OF EDUCATION INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY
APPLY

M.S. IN SCHOOL COUNSELING

The Master of Science in School Counseling Program is nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program prepares students to work with young people from a developmental perspective to clarify goals, to overcome behavioral and social obstacles, and to enhance the learning experience.

Graduates of the program are taught how to help students cope with problems relative to their daily academic and social activities. They learn effective individual and group counseling techniques and gain practical field experience through the counseling practicum and internships at all levels (elementary, middle and high school).

This 48-credit program, plus two years of experience as a school counselor in New York, leads to permanent New York State certification as a school counselor.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the M.S. in School Counselor program must meet the following requirements for admission.

  • Application for Admission
  • Official copies of your undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts from any college(s) or universities you have attended. Applicants must have achieved at least a 3.00 grade point average or equivalent in an accredited bachelor’s program. 
  • Letters of recommendation: Submit two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation that address your potential for success in the profession and your ability to complete a graduate program. Letters of recommendation should be from an academic source, preferably a professor or academic official who is familiar with your academic history and achievement. If you have been out of school for several years, recommendations may come from your employer or supervisor.
  • Personal statement: Submit a statement of approximately 500 to 1,000 words describing your reason for pursuing graduate study at LIU, your personal and academic background, relevant experience, and your professional goals. You may submit this statement as part of the Online Application for Admission, or follow at a later date as a hard copy.
  • GRE: Applicants who do not meet the undergraduate GPA requirement of 3.0 or who have not successfully completed another master's degree are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
  • If you hold a degree from outside the United States your official records of all post-secondary education must be translated by an approved organization such as World Education Services (WES). You may purchase this translation by contacting WES, www.wes.org or telephone at 1-800-937-3895. Request a course-by-course translation with conversion of all grades into a U.S.4- point scale with U.S. degree equivalencies. This translation must be received by the Office of Admissions in an envelope sealed by WES.
  • Students for whom English is a second language must submit official score results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The required minimum acceptable TOEFL score is: 79 Internet-based (213 computer-based or 550 paper-based) or minimum IELTS score: 6.5.

Send application materials to:

Graduate Admissions
LIU Brentwood
1001 Crooked Hill Road
Brentwood, NY 11717

Program Requirements

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Each student, in consultation with his or her academic counselor, develops and follows a plan of study. Every semester, the student may consult with an assigned faculty advisor on course selection and completion of the study plan. All students are required to meet with their faculty advisor upon completion of 12 credits for an Interim Assessment. Such an assessment allows both the advisor and the student to discuss the student’s progress and achievement and to identify any areas of concern.

M.S. IN SCHOOL COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS (48 CREDITS)

Course

Credits

EDC 600

Introduction to Professional Counseling

3

EDC 610

Behavior Dynamics Over the Life Span

3

EDC 613

Diversity and Socio-Cultural Issues in Counseling

3

EDC 614

Developmental Counseling with Children and Adolescents

3

EDC 615

Theories of Counseling

3

EDC 659

Counseling for the College Admission and Selection Process

3

EDC 668

Counseling Pre-Practicum

3

EDC 669

Counseling Practicum

3

EDC 670

Educational Tests and Measurements                      

3

EDC 676

Career Development

3

EDC 687

Group Approaches: Theories & Practice

3

EDC 689

Group Counseling Laboratory

3

EDC 690

School Counseling Internship I

3

EDC 691

School Counseling Internship II

3

EDC 702

Research Methods in Counseling

3

CULMINATING EXPERIENCE, 0-3 CREDITS 
OPTION A: COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION OR CPCE EXAMINATION

Students should plan to take the Comprehensive Examination or CPCE Exam in the semester prior to the one in which they plan to graduate. To be eligible, students must have completed at least 24 credits with 12 credits in-progress that semester.
- - Comprehensive Exam 0.00
OR
- - CPCE Exam 0.00

OPTION B: THESIS SEMINAR

This seminar is available only to those matriculated master’s degree candidates electing to
develop and write a thesis under the supervision of approved faculty. Registration must be approved by the department chair or designated representative. Student must have received a grade of A in EDC 702.

Total Degree Credit Requirement: 48-51

NEW YORK STATE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

  • Project S.A.V.E. Workshop
  • Child Abuse Workshop
  • New York State Fingerprint Clearance

Course Descriptions

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

EDC 600: Introduction to Professional Counseling
This is the basic introductory course for counseling in schools, colleges and mental health agencies and explains the role of the professional counselor. The course focuses on the student as a person and as a potential counselor. The changing world of the counselor is also the world of the developing client. Forces contributing to the variable, emerging culture of values, societal norms, and individual choices are examined in relation to the developmental world of young persons and adults and to the practices, philosophies and principles of the institutions with which counselors are associated.  
Each semester, 3 credits

EDC 610: Behavior Dynamics Over the Life Span
This course provides for the study of the dynamics of human behavior over the life span. This course covers healthy adjustment versus maladjustment at each stage of life. The major models describing human behavior and the causes of mental illness are described. The classifications of mental illness and adjustment disorders according to the DSM IV are discussed and illustrated. 
Every semester, 3 credits

EDC 613: Diversity & Socio-Cultural Issues in Counseling
Major twenty-first century contributions of sociology and anthropology are examined with a view to understanding the role of socio-cultural factors in human development and behavior. This course also examines the impact of the socio-cultural viewpoint on contemporary concepts of adaptive and maladaptive human behavior and related mental health issues.
Every semester, 3 credits

EDC 614: Developmental Counseling with Children and Adolescents
This course focuses on understanding the principles and rationale of developmental counseling with children from a multicultural perspective. Students become familiar with the three main functions of the developmental counselor: counseling, consulting, and coordinating. Students are made aware of the kits, games, audiovisual material and special programs used by the developmental counselor. In addition to an overview of developmental stages and developmental tasks which children face, the course includes exploration and experimentation with various and unique methods used in developmental counseling. Students observe and interact with an individual child from a developmental perspective.
Prerequisite of EDC 600 is required. Every Fall and Spring, 3 credits

EDC 615: Theories of Counseling
This is a basic course in counseling theories and techniques and their application within a multicultural and diverse society. Students gain an understanding of the major theories of counseling and psychotherapy, (e.g., psychoanalytic, existential, person-centered, gestalt, reality, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and family systems, etc.) In addition, the counselor as a person and a professional is explored as well as ethical issues in counseling and therapy. 
Prerequisite of EDC 600 is required. Every Fall and Spring, 3 credits

EDC 659: Counseling for the College Admission & Selection Process
This course is designed to provide systematic training in counseling for the college admission and selection process. Graduate students and those who are already in the field are introduced to concepts and practical skills required for competency in working with diverse populations: the traditionally aged college student applicant. The disadvantaged, the minority student, the gifted, the learning disabled, the student athlete, and the adult. The course consists of lectures, presentations, cooperative and group learning activities, video viewings, class discussions and "hands-on" type of activities designed to enhance knowledge of the college admission and selection process. College admission personnel and school counselors are invited as guest presenters. 
Every Fall and Spring, 3 credits

EDC 668: Counseling Pre-Practicum
This is the basic counseling laboratory course designed to provide supervised practical counseling experience from a lifespan and a multicultural perspective that can be applied in the school, agency, or college setting Students learn the basics in terms of active listening skills and the use of appropriate counseling techniques through role-play and other activities. Students must have three five actual tape-recorded role playing sessions with another student in the course who will act as the client; the professor may give permission for students to work with a client who is not a member of the class. Interview summaries, detailed analyses, and other relevant counseling experiences are part of the course. Orientation to the role of the professional counselor and ethical concerns are discussed.
Prerequisite of EDC 600 and a Pre of Co-requisite of EDC 615 are required. Ever Fall and Spring, 3 credits

EDC 669: Counseling Practicum
This is an in-depth counseling practicum designed to provide supervised practical counseling experience from a lifespan and multicultural perspective, through successful completion of counseling sessions with 40 hours of direct service to clients. Students in the school counseling specialty will provide these services in a school setting while students in the mental health specialty will do services in the mental health facility. This includes actual audio/video tape-recorded sessions with individual clients. Group counseling sessions are also required. Interview summaries, detailed analyses and other relevant counseling experiences are part of this course. This course is also designed to develop and extend the students' understanding and competencies begun in EDU 769A/EDC 668. The appropriate roles of the professional counselor, based upon the Ethical Guidelines of the Ame5ricamn Counseling Association (ACA), will also be covered. Professional Liability Insurance, available from ACA and other professional associations is required. All students will receive an additional one-hour of triadic supervision (i.e., either one-on-one or the professor and two students); this individual supervision is built into the class time frame. This is a 6-credit practicum of 4 hours. 
Prerequisite or Co-requisite of EDC 687 is required. Every semester, 6 credits

EDC 670: Educational Tests and Measurements
This is a survey course in the principles and practices of testing and assessment used in schools. After a quick look at the concepts of educational statistics and the underlying mathematical basis of standardized tests, the student will examine the most widely used tests and assessments that he/she will be expected to know and understand in the K-12 setting: achievement tests, interest inventories, aptitude and intelligence measures. In addition, time will be devoted to the New York State Learning Standards and the assessments which will accompany the higher graduation requirements. 
Every semester, 3 credits.

EDC 676: Career Development
This course is an in-depth study of theories and emerging patterns in career development counseling. Attention is given to psychological, sociological, economic and education dynamics. Emphasis is placed on practical counseling techniques at the various stages of development, and on the effect that career choices, problems and solutions have on members of the family system. Data from sociology and anthropology is used to understand psychological issues of career and employment as they make an impact on the family.
Every semester, 3 credits.

EDC 687: Group Approaches: Theory & Practice
This course is designed to help prospective counselors and practicing counselors to understand the dynamics of therapeutic forces within a counseling group, to facilitate changes in their clients'behavior and to help clients learn to assist themselves. Evaluative techniques and research findings are considered. 
Every Fall, 3 credits

EDC 689: Group Counseling Lab
This course entails supervised professional level, practical group counseling experiences and counseling of groups and the analysis/evaluation of group counseling work. Weekly seminars, demonstration groups and tapes, readings and faculty conferences are used. Professional liability insurance, available from ACA and other professional associations, is required. 
Prerequisite of EDC 687 is required. Every semester, 3 credits

EDC 690: School Counseling Internship I
This course is designed for students in the school counseling specialization. It is taken in the latter part of the graduate program after they have taken considerable theory and coursework in the counseling process and its application within a school setting. The student is required to attend weekly seminar meetings and to prepare weekly logs directed toward observation, insight and evaluation of activities in the field setting. Related professional readings and development of an action or research project are also required. The student is expected to develop a counseling caseload and participate in group work. 
Prerequisite of EDC 669 and a pre or co-requisite of EDC 614 & 687 are required. Every Fall and Spring, 3 credits.

EDC 691: School Counseling Internship II
This course is designed for students in the school counseling specialization. It is taken in the latter part of the graduate program after they have taken considerable theory and coursework in the counseling process and its application within a school setting. The student is required to attend weekly seminar meetings and to prepare weekly logs directed toward observation, insight and evaluation of activities in the field setting. Related professional readings and development of an action or research project are also required. The student is expected to develop a counseling caseload and participate in group work.
Prerequisite of EDC 690 is required. Every Fall and Spring, 3 credits

EDC 702: Research Methods in Counseling
This course is an overview of basic principles in human relations, covering what a counselor should know in order to understand case studies and to evaluate his or her own work and the studies reported by all in the field. The emphasis is practical.
Every semester, 3 credits

CONTACT

LIU Brentwood
Brentwood-info@liu.edu
631-287-8500

EXPLORE

Enrollment Services

ADMISSIONS

Email: brentwood-info@liu.edu
Phone: 631-287-8500