Howdy folks, Does anyone know of any online/DL programs in school counseling? The tricky part is that the program *must* include state certification. There are a number of programs out there that offer the master's degree, but I am only aware of one that also provides the state certification. That would be the M.Ed. in School Counseling at the University of West Alabama. Interestingly, Columbia Southern University has the contract to provide the online framework for the program. It looks like a good program, but quite new. Possible titles might be "Counseling and Student Services", "School Counseling," or something similar, but definitely not "School Psychology" or (probably) "Educational Psychology." Whole different animals. So, any takers? Tom Nixon
Hi Tom - I don't know a lot about this issue except for this: most programs in school counseling will require some sort of clinical internship. If the academic program doesn't absolutely require an internship then the state certification most certainly will. This is why these degrees don't easily lend themselves to DL. If I were you I'd consider working the problem backwards. Find out all the possible ways of obtaining state certification in your state. This will almost certainly include an internship. Find out possible internship sites and what they require in order to take on a new intern. Then figure out how to satisfy those requirements. My guess is that the easiest aspect of this whole equation will be finding the academic program. Finding the internship site may well be the biggest problem as most B&M academic programs tend to have pre-established agreements with internship sites. Without this you'll have to do it on your own. Good luck, Jack
Check out... Tom, I'm sure you have already heard about Capella University. I have 'school psychology/counseling' majors in some of my classes. I've seen their posts about getting their particular state certifications to be a 'school counselor/school psychologist.' Until recently I did not realize that many school psychologists have only a masters level licensure/certification and training. I know that both in the school of Human Services and also in the school of Psychology at Capella they offer programs related to your quest. They also offer certificates for those who already have a Masters and want the required courses for their state certification. I hope this helps. Here are some links: http://www.capella.edu/reborn/html/schools/humanserv/index.aspx http://www.capella.edu/reborn/html/schools/psychology/school_list.aspx
Tom: I have researched this as well and the only program that really fits this mold is West Alabama which you already stated. Other programs don't automatically lead to certification. The good thing about West Alabama is that they are also nationally accredited by NCATE. They seem to be the gold standard for teacher related programs. Duff
I agree with you, I think. I have yet to find other programs that offer the direct certification route. While Capella offered above is certainly a good program, there would be much more hoop jumping as opposed to UWA. The UWA program actually leads to state certification (from AL). As long as your state has reciprocity with Alabama, it's an easy solution. As anyone who works in public education will tell you: It's not the degree, it's the certification that counts! In having checked with my state, the only requirements that they have is that the student would qualify for certification in Alabama. Although this program has clearly been designed as a cash cow for UWA and Columbia Southern (at $750 per course), I suspect that it will become a popular choice. Now UWA isn't particularly prestigious rolleyes: ), but that has never been a concern for me. Hmm...things to think about... Tom Nixon
I think you're exactly right. The one program that I have found requires you to find a local academic supervisor and a mentor counselor. Given my unique circumstances, neither of these would be particularly difficult, I believe. I graduated locally and have gone back and taught classes for them. Also, I know school counselors. It wouldn't be a problem to get approval from the district. I still would like to find other choices. I'm beginning to suspect that this is exactly what Columbia Southern and University of West Alabama had in mind: an M.Ed. program in school counseling that leads to state certification, and that isn't available elsewhere. I should say that I was a little concerned with the CSU connection, but research shows that this program has all of the proper accreditation for programs of this nature. And still, if anyone knows of other programs, I'm interested. Tom Nixon
P.S. And the University of West Georgia is significantly cheaper than other programs. $750 per class versus $1000 and more per class. Granted, I would fully expect that, were I to do this program, no one will have ever heard of that school. However, that is what I would expect from Capella as well. There are a whole heck of a lot of schools out there. Tom Nixon
I do know there is a difference between a school counselor and a school psychologist. A school counselor or guidance counselor needs a Masters with certification in school or guidance counseling. A school psychologist MUST have at least a Specialist degree (EdS) or the PhD in School Psychology which must be NASP approved or it is worthless. As far as I know there are school counseling/guidance counseling DL degrees but no school psychology programs that are NASP approved. Capella has a school psychology degree but it is not NASP approved and if you plan on getting hired in the school system this won't fly.
Not entirely accurate. In the state with the most school psychologists, a master's in school psychology and a pupil personal services credential are required. We tend not to do Ed.S. out here and it is exceedingly rare to find a school psychologist with a Ph.D. They require neither to be NASP-approved. Also, Capella students have graduated and obtained jobs as school psychologists. Granted, through much hoop-jumping (but that relates more to not providing state licensure as part of the program than NASP, etc.). What you need to remember is that there are fifty different states with fifty different sets of rules. What applies to your state may or may not apply elsewhere. Tom Nixon
