66 hours

Applicants are required to apply for both the M.Ed. in Professional Counseling (emphasis in School Counseling) and the Ed.S. in Professional School Counseling on the Athens campus.

Apply to the UGA Graduate School and include the following:

Minimum 2.5 GPA (on the 4-point scale) 3 Letters of recommendation CV or resume Statement of Purpose (emphasizing goals, objectives, and salient personal experiences that influence decision to enter school counseling) Unofficial transcript (if admitted, official transcripts are required prior to enrollment) No background coursework required International students: For students whose primary language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required. Students need to submit official university documents according to the UGA Graduate School requirements. Students will also have to show certificate of finances upon acceptance to the program. Application deadline is December 1 for the following summer.

The M.Ed/EdS. in Professional Counseling School Counseling will prepare students for the practice of individual, small and large group counseling in P-12 schools. Our program places special emphasis on working with diverse, underserved, and oppressed populations and developing strategies to address social justice issues. The program provides the coursework necessary to become a certified school counselor in Georgia (S-6) and for licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) in Georgia. Students are required to take 66 hours of face-to-face coursework approved by their faculty advisor.

ECHD 4020/6020

Interpersonal Relationships

3

ECHD 7010

Individual Appraisal

3

ECHD 7040

Counseling Theories and Skills

3

ECHD 7050

Career Development, Theory, and Practice

3

ECHD 7060

Cross-Cultural Counseling

3

ECHD 7080

Introduction to Group Counseling

3

ECHD 7100

Evidence-based Practice in School Counseling

3

ECHD 7500

Foundations of School Counseling

3

ECHD 7700

Individual Counseling Practicum

1-3

ECHD 7850  *

Internship in School Counseling

1-12

ECHD 7920

Research Methods in Counseling and Psychotherapy

3

ECHD 8020

Seminar in Counseling and Human Development Services

1-3

ECHD 8025

Crisis Counseling

3

ECHD 8030

Psychodiagnosis

3

ECHD 8050

Counseling Children and Adolescents

3

ECHD 8100

Developmental Counseling

3

ECHD 8680

Counseling Supervision in Educational Settings

3

ECHD 9710

Ethics and Professional Issues

1-3

*6 hours total across two semesters

Choose 6 credit hour(s) from the following:

Various Electives

EDSE 2000  *

Survey of Special Education

3

*Must be taken prior to 2nd summer; not included in 66 hours

This program is exempt from the GradFIRST requirement. Students are expected to maintain a high grade point average (3.0 or better on the 4-point scale); this is considered the benchmark for satisfactory progress with respect to coursework. Students who earn grades below a C (2.0) in a course will need to retake the course to earn a higher grade. Students are required to demonstrate proof of student liability insurance prior to beginning practicum. Students are required to work according to the schedules of the K-12 schools for which they are in for practicum and internship. A passing score on the CPCE is required for graduation.

Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.

Most program graduates pursue certification and employment as a school counselor or have pursued higher education (e.g., Ph.D. programs) in counseling, psychology, or other related fields or positions in a variety of mental health settings.

While our recommendation of admission does not include funding, we will share opportunities to apply for assistantships as they are brought to our attention. We also encourage students to search for assistantship opportunities throughout the university.

Students are expected to complete 3 hours of ECHD 7700 Practicum (spans 1 semester). During ECHD 7700, students will complete 100 total hours, of which 40 are in direct service hours. Students are expected to complete 6 hours (across 2 semesters) of ECHD 7850 Internship in School Counseling. During EDHD 7850, students are expected to complete 600 total hours, of which 120 are in direct service hours.

Chi Sigma Iota (Gamma Beta): This organization is a professional counseling honor society that all counseling students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher are invited to join. The mission of CSI is to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership and excellence in counseling and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in the profession of counseling.

Other programs in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services, include: MEd in Professional Counseling with an emphasis in Mental Health Counseling (Athens Campus only) MEd in College Student Affairs Administration (Athens Campus only EdS in Professional Counseling (Gwinnett Campus only) EdD in Student Affairs Leadership (Griffin Campus only) PhD in Counseling Psychology (Athens Campus only) PhD in Education with an emphasis in Counselor Education and Supervision (Gwinnett Campus only) PhD in Education with an emphasis in College Student Affairs Administration (Athens Campus only)