University Bulletin 2022-23

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School Counseling (M.Ed.)

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The program described below is designed to provide for the acquisition of skills and competencies needed by counselors working in educational settings.

A grade of "B" or better is required in all coursework toward the degree.  

Counselor educators are ethically required to ensure that students meet academic requirements and demonstrate clinical competencies. Satisfactory progress will be predicated on a combination of factors such as academic success, clinical competence, adherence to ethical standards, and appropriate interpersonal functioning. Students who do not demonstrate satisfactory competence within any of these critical areas of professional performance may be terminated from the program. Core faculty will evaluate students on a continuing basis to determine students' satisfactory progression through the program. Other policies, procedures, and guidelines are addressed in the Counselor Education Graduate Student Handbook.

Students who are not enrolled for three consecutive semesters must complete all admissions requirements again and be reviewed by the program admissions committee.

Comprehensive Examination:  Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE).

The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) now offers an expanded certification option for CACREP- accredited programs. Requirements under this option include "completion of a school counseling program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a passing score on the Praxis II test #0421, Professional School Counseling, and attainment of passing scores on the National Counseling Examination for Licensure and Certification.  Note that certification in a teaching field or another area of instructional support is not required for admission to a CACREP-accredited program in school counseling".

MEd in School Counseling Credit Hours
Requirements for School Counseling  60
Major Instructional Support Area: 42
CED 560  
CED 565  
CED 566  
CED 569  
CED 572  
CED 574  
CED 576  
CED 582  
CED 584  
CED 586  
CED 588  
CED 591  
CED 595 Internship (6 semester hours required; 600 contact hours)  
School Counselors are required to successfully complete the PRAXIS II Subject Test prior to enrolling in internship.
Related Studies in Educational Foundations* 6
EPY 521  
EPY 555  
Research in Education Area 3
IDE 510  
Electives *A preapproved three course sequenced elective cognate is required 9
School Counselors are required under the CACREP Certification Option to successfully complete the National Counselor Exam prior to applying for certification.
*Under the SDE option, SPE 500 Must be taken for 3 additional hours by students who have not previously satisfied the special education requirement.
Department of Counseling and Instructional Sciences
(251) 380-2861
Interim Chair James P. Van Haneghan
Professors Getch, Stefurak, Van Haneghan           
Associate Professors Billingsley, Fregeau, McDermott
Assistant Professors Ding, Gaston, McCarty, Moore, Upton, Zha

Department of Counseling and Instructional Sciences website
https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/ceps/cins

Department of Counseling and Instructional Sciences

The Department of Counseling and Instructional Sciences offers the Master of Education degree in Educational Media (leading to certification in Library Media), and in  School Counseling leading to certification as a school counselor, and the Master of Science degree in Educational Media & Technology, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Instructional Design. The department also offers the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Instructional Design and Development.  The department collaborates with the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences to deliver the Ph.D. degree in Combined-Integrated Clinical & Counseling Psychology. Finally, the department offers the B.S. degree and minor in Instructional Design & Performance Improvement.

Interdepartmental education

Faculty within the department offer foundational coursework in Education Technology, Educational Psychology, Educational Foundations, and Educational Research. These courses are offered for students in the undergraduate and graduate programs throughout the college and are designed to broaden and strengthen degree-area preparation.