Professional School Counseling

The PSC Program is now accepting applications for 2024 Summer/Fall. Application review begins February 1.

 

Questions about joining our learning community? Please contact me at jonathan.ricks@uncp.edu  or 910.775.4041.

Prospective students can also email the Graduate Office at grad@uncp.edu or visit The Graduate School website. 

Courses now available in Wilmington                                                                                                                             

M.A. Ed. in Professional School Counseling

           

 Program Description:

The Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) in Professional School Counseling (PSC) is a 60-credit hour, graduate degree program housed in the Department of Counseling located in the School of Education.  The PSC program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.  Our program is designed to prepare and mentor graduate students to become committed, collaborative, and competent professional school counselors.  Through a variety of teaching formats (i.e., online, hybrid, face-to-face), graduate students develop core competencies necessary to serve ALL students (k-12) in elementary, middle, and secondary schools.  Our students acquire knowledge, attitudes, and skills required to promote social/emotional, academic, and career development through intentional methods such as advocacy, use of evidence-based practices, and data collection. Through experiential activities, students learn how to develop and deliver comprehensive school counseling programs including direct (i.e., individual and small group counseling) and indirect (i.e., consultation) services aimed at promoting student success and life-long learning.  The American School Counseling Association (ASCA) Ethical Standards and American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics are used as guides in developing and delivering the program’s curriculum.  For more information, please visit the UNCP Catalog - PSC Program Information 

Our program is approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and meets NC Professional School Counseling Standards.  Graduates are licensed by NCDPI as advanced graduate (specialist) in K-12 school counseling which can result in additional pay beyond the master's level (dependent upon current NC legislation/State Board policy).  Our graduates also seek certifications through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).  While our program prepares students for professional school counseling, plans of study also meet current requirements for licensure by the NC Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors.  Graduates go on to pursue careers in a variety of professional counseling settings.

 

NOTICE: NEW PRAXIS REQUIREMENT FOR SCHOOL COUNSELING LICENSE

NCDPI is making a transition with the Praxis exam they will accept for School Counseling Licensure.  It depends on the date you take the exam. 

For some time, students have been required to take test #5421. You may continue to take this test for licensure until August 31, 2023 (must score at least 156).

Students can also take test #5422 for licensure and must score at least 159. After August 31, 2023, only Test #5422 will be accepted. 

Until August 31, 2023, they will accept either #5421 or #5422, but if you test after August 31, you should take #5422. The newer test (#5422) is aligned with the most recent addition of the ASCA National Model (4th edition).