M. Ed. Counseling K-12 & Higher Education

Master in Education (M. Ed.)

Specialization in Counseling K-12 & Higher Education

45 Credits

Offered at the Metro Orlando, South Florida, and Tampa Bay Branch Campuses

Program Description:

This program is designed to prepare school counselors to provide individual or group counseling services in K-12 schools or postsecondary and higher education institutions. It provides counselors with the background in the principles, theories and practice of guidance and counseling. The graduates from this program will be able to interact with their clients and team with situations that require effective communication, conflict management, problem solving and decision making. The goal of this program is to develop counselors who possess the needed competencies to perform the duties in an effective manner. The program offers two options: school counseling in public and private settings and students affairs in higher education.

The students in school counseling option will be able to counsel students in public and private K-12. Those in students’ affairs in higher education option will be prepared in counseling students in post-secondary and higher education institutions.

Option in School Counseling K-12 (12 Credits):

Students that choose the K-12 option will develop dual language competencies to perform the duties in an effective manner at the school setting. Students must meet all state and local requirements to obtain certification in the area of educational guidance and counseling. It provides school counselors with the background in the principles, theories, and practice of guidance and counseling in a school setting. The graduates from this program will be able to interact with students who require effective communication, conflict management, problem solving, and decision making skills. This program requires a Bachelor of Arts in Education and experience as a teacher in the public educational system.

The State requires compliance with nine credit hours of school clinical experiences in guidance and counseling skills for an equivalent of 135 hours. This is accomplished by integrating the school clinical experience in all courses. In addition, a practicum/internship is required to meet State certification requirements. The practicum/internship process lasts 12 weeks, 20 hours a week, for a total of 240 hours. Students must make arrangements to comply with the school clinical observations and internship requirements during a regular school day schedule. Throughout the duration of the degree program, the course facilitator ensures an equivalent of 375 hours of on-going contact time with the students to debrief the core curriculum and application to school practice. Students must make arrangements to comply with the school clinical observations and internship requirements during a regular school day schedule. Students must abide to all rules and procedures set by the school district to meet program requirements. The student must also show evidence of a passing score in State certification exams prior to being assigned for the practicum/internship. The internship experience is in English only. Students must demonstrate English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing to ensure a successful experience. The student must refer to the Internship Handbook available from the Director of Faculty for specific requirements and procedures.

Option in Student Affairs in Higher Education (12 Credits):

The option in Students Affairs in Higher Education will prepare students in counseling students in higher education institutions and provided the dual language competencies to perform the duties in an effective manner. The students will develop the skills to counsel students in through the study of different theoretical perspectives. During the program students will have the opportunity to discuss resources needed to counsel students in the transition from school to a higher education institution as well as legal and ethical issues pertaining university students. In addition, the program will develop the skills to help college students in the prevention and promotion of mental health, prevention of risk factors and the creation of prevention programs within the campus.

The option includes a 100-hours final formative experience in student’s affairs counseling. The practicum/internship will include direct service hours in individual and group interventions and will focus on the development of competencies in individual and group counseling in higher education institution interacting with faculty, students and student service personnel.

The internship experience is in English only; Students must demonstrate English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing to ensure a successful experience. The student must refer to the Internship Handbook available from the Academic Director for specific requirements and procedures.

Program Objectives

1. Knowledge and understanding of the theories of counseling.
2. Practice of individual and group counseling techniques.
3. Knowledge and understanding of the process of counseling.
4. Knowledge of human development theories, and career development issues.
5. Knowledge of ethical issues in the counseling process.
6. Knowledge of specific strategies for the counseling of students.
7. Knowledge of the legal aspects of the practice of counseling in schools.
8. Knowledge of assessment techniques in counseling.
9. Understanding of specific cultural idiosyncrasies, needs and counseling practices for students in school settings.
10. Knowledge and understanding of principles and procedures of educational research and its relevance to the counseling process.
11. Understanding of the specific cultural idiosyncrasies, needs and counseling practices for students in a higher education settings.

Program Outcomes:

Students will be able to:

1. Offer individual counseling and guidance to students or clients depending on the setting,
2. Offer group counseling and guidance to students depending on the setting,
3. Offer standardized tests to students,
4. Offer guidance in career selection to students,
5. Design counseling plan for individuals,
6. Conduct workshops with different student populations,
7. Develop school-community or college-community projects within a diverse population.

Florida State ESOL Requirements:

Students selecting the OPTION IN SCHOOL COUNSELING of this program will take TESOL 522-O: Theory and Practice of Teaching ESOL Students in Schools; a new course developed to help students in this area meet state ESOL requirements (3 credit hours in ESOL). In addition, all students seeking an education degree must achieve a passing score on the Florida State Teacher Exam (Basic General Knowledge Test) and all other State exams before initiating the internship experience at a public school setting. The student must provide evidence of the passing score on the Florida State Teacher Exam(s) as part of the passing grade of the last internship seminar course. If a student does not pass the required Florida State exam, he/she will have to repeat the course. Additionally, before seeking guidance and counseling position, graduates must comply with all Florida State Certification and employment requirements.