MS in School Counseling

The 60-credit Master of Science in School Counseling prepares students for certification as school counselors. The degree includes a core curriculum and specialization courses. The curriculum covers school counseling practice and research, in addition to necessary coursework in human growth and development, social and cultural foundations, helping relationships, group work, career and lifestyle development, appraisal, research and program development, and professional orientation. Practicum and internship experiences provide unique, varied, and intense hands-on school counseling training experiences that meet state certification requirements.

The degree satisfies New York State educational requirements for both provisional/permanent and initial/professional certification in school counseling, with SUNY New Paltz recommending graduates for certification. Detailed information on the certification of school counselors in New York is available from the State Education Department (SED) at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert.

The degree can be completed full-time in two years, including summer classes. Students may attend part-time, but all degree requirements must be completed within five years after admission to degree candidacy.

Admission Requirements

The Counseling Graduate Programs’ Admissions Committee reviews applications. Please prepare the following items for inclusion in the online application process:

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all undergraduate work or strong evidence of recent academic achievement.
• Successful completion of 9 undergraduate credits in the social sciences, including courses in inferential statistics and research methods.
• One official copy of transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
• Statement of professional goals.
• Three professional letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your professional/academic activity and qualifications.
• International students must meet these additional requirements for admission: International Graduate Admissions | SUNY New Paltz
• Please send OFFICIAL transcripts to: Office of Graduate Admission

Application Deadline

The M.S. in School Counseling degree only admits students for the fall semester. Application review begins February 1 and continues until the class is filled.

This 60 credit program leads to NYS certification as a school counselor and can be completed full-time in two years, including summer classes:

Two Year Study Plan

This program leads to NYS certification as a school counselor and can be completed on a part-time basis in three years, including summer classes:

Three Year Study Plan

Graduate Checklist

• Apply for graduation via my.newpaltz.edu under “Graduation” tab according to the schedule in the academic calendar .
• Resolve any pending admission conditions (outlined in your acceptance letter) and/or missing documents if applicable.
• Review your progress report via my.newpaltz.edu to ensure that you have completed all program requirements.

• Remember that only two grades below a B- may be applied to your plan of study
• Contact your advisor if you need to amend your plan or process transfer credit .
• Ensure that you are in good academic standing with a GPA (Grade Point Average) of 3.0 or higher.
• Pass your capstone or culminating assessment.
• Complete your degree within the specified time limit outlined in the Program Overview.

Academic Good Standing, Transfer Credits, and Degree Deadline

• Students must maintain an average grade of B in graduate-level courses.
• The Counseling Graduate Program may accept up to nine credits of graduate work taken elsewhere in which a grade of B or better was earned.
• All degree requirements must be completed within five years after admission to degree candidacy.

Assistantships

Teaching assistantships are available to selected students each year. Current stipends are $5,000 per year plus a six-credit tuition scholarship per semester. Assistantship duties involve assisting in faculty teaching. Inquiries should be addressed to the Director of the Counseling Graduate Program. Other means of financial support are available to selected students each year in positions such as Assistant in the Office of Psychology and Counseling Graduate Programs, Academic Advisor to undergraduate psychology students, Graduate Intern at the Career Advising and Development Center, and Technical Assistant at the Disability Resource Center. For further information, contact the Office for Psychology and Counseling Graduate Programs.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Possess the knowledge and skills necessary to practice as highly competent counselors.

• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a commitment to continually expanding their counseling knowledge and proficiency.

• Understand and model the professional standards and ethics of their profession.

• Attend to their own personal growth, as well as that of their clients, through utilizing supervision, valuing interpersonal feedback, and engaging in ongoing self-evaluation.

• Show mastery of the research process and understand its central role in counseling practice and conducting program evaluation.

• Are open-minded and respectful of multicultural and intellectual diversity.

• Use their counseling knowledge to function as compassionate and caring practitioners, advocates, and leaders within their profession and within the communities they serve.