School Counseling, MA
Dean: Heidi Bostic, Ph.D.
School Counseling website
Degree Offered
Master of Arts
Program Description
Our master of arts in school counseling program includes a variety of courses, practica, internship and other training experiences which offer comprehensive preparation for professional practice as a school counselor. Course work focuses on human development, psychopathology, research, assessment, theories of counseling, ethical and legal issues as well as individual, group and other school counseling interventions. Training in counseling skills begins in the first semester and an internship usually begins in the second year. This training prepares students to develop and deliver a Comprehensive School Counseling Program, which is aligned with the principles outlined by the American School Counselor Association National Model for School Counseling Programs.
School Counseling Master of Arts
School counseling requires a minimum of 48 credit hours and successful completion of a comprehensive examination. Students must complete the following core courses, as part of the total credits for the degree:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COUN 6000 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6971 | Counseling Skills Lab 1 | 0 |
| COUN 6001 | Foundations of School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6010 | Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6020 | Life-Span Human Development | 3 |
| COUN 6030 | Theories of Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6040 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6969 | Multicultural Counseling Lab | 0 |
| COUN 6050 | Research Methods in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6060 | Psychopathology and Diagnosis | 3 |
| COUN 6070 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6080 | Career Development and Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6120 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6160 | Counseling with Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| COUN 6410 | Leadership and Educational Administration for School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN 6970 | School Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| COUN 6972 | Counseling Skills Lab 2 | 0 |
| COUN 6990 | Internship in School Counseling | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 48 | |
As part of their course work, students must also complete a practicum and an internship in a program approved PK-12 school setting. More detailed requirements for this specialization can be obtained from the department office.
Accelerated Bachelor's - Master's Degree Program
The Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology offers early admission into its master of arts degree program in school counseling to Marquette University undergraduate students. Students can apply for admission to this program in the second term of their undergraduate sophomore or junior year. Students accepted into the accelerated degree program are eligible to enroll in up to 18 credits of school counseling (SCCN) course work that carry graduate credit during their junior and senior years; i.e., COUN 6000 Introduction to Counseling, COUN 6001 Foundations of School Counseling, COUN 6010 Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in School Counseling, COUN 6030 Theories of Counseling, COUN 6060 Psychopathology and Diagnosis and COUN 6970 School Counseling Practicum. Credits obtained for these courses can be used to fulfill both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Once students inform the Graduate School of the completion of their undergraduate degree requirements, their graduate admission as a regular degree status student is activated. Students interested in this program can obtain further information from the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology office.
Candidates for admission should minimally have undergraduate sophomore status and have a GPA of at least 3.200. Candidates for admission should submit a resume, personal statement of program interest, transcripts and three letters of recommendation prior to graduate degree status being activated (typically submitted during the undergraduate senior year). An interview with program faculty is required to be admitted to the program.
University Policies
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Graduate School Policies
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- Temporary Withdrawal from Graduate Program
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- Working with Minors
COUN 6000 Introduction to Counseling (3 credits)
Introduction to the philosophical bases, history and development of counseling as a profession. Includes an emphasis on ethical and legal issues, as well as a focus on counselor roles and functions in various settings and current issues in professional practice. Addresses active listening and provides training in entry-level counseling skills through a laboratory experience.
Prerequisite: Enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health or School Counseling program or cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Summer Term, 2022 Spring Term
COUN 6001 Foundations of School Counseling (3 credits)
Focuses on the principles and techniques of school counseling, as outlined by the American School Counselor Association National Model for School Counseling Programs. Covers consultation with parents and school personnel, program planning and curriculum intervention, roles and functions of counselors and other school personnel and contemporary school counseling issues.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
COUN 6003 Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3 credits)
Introduces the roles and perspectives of clinical mental health counselors. Focuses on the professional knowledge base, skills and practices that are essential for counseling in a wide variety of clinical mental health settings. Introduces mental health delivery models and concepts, prevention strategies, interventions with target populations, crisis intervention, disaster responses and interventions for clients with mental disorders and their families.
Prerequisite: COUN 6000.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Summer Term
COUN 6005 Foundations of Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling (3 credits)
Introduces the roles, perspectives and professional issues of rehabilitation counselors. Focuses on the professional knowledge base, skills and practices that are essential for counseling in a wide variety of rehabilitation counseling settings. Introduces mental health and rehabilitation delivery models and concepts, rehabilitation counseling services within the continuum of care, case management, prevention strategies, emergency management system, crisis intervention, disaster responses and interventions for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Prerequisite: COUN 6000.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
COUN 6010 Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in School Counseling (3 credits)
Covers the ethical foundations and standards of the school counseling profession. Focuses on how to apply ethical standards and legal and professional guidelines to situations faced by school counselors in educational settings. Discusses issues relevant to training, credentialing and professional issues in the field of school counseling.
Prerequisite: COUN 6000.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
COUN 6012 Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3 credits)
Covers the ethical foundations and standards of the counseling profession. Focuses on how to apply ethical standards and legal and professional guidelines to situations faced by counselors in clinical mental health counseling settings. Discusses issues relevant to training, credentialing and professional issues in the field of counseling.
Prerequisite: COUN 6000.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Summer Term
COUN 6020 Life-Span Human Development (3 credits)
An examination of the interaction among biological, psychological, social and cultural factors that influence human development over the life-span. Reviews theoretical frameworks describing optimal human development, as well as the developmental etiology of problematic behaviors. Discusses educational and counseling implications of these issues.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Summer Term, 2022 Spring Term
COUN 6030 Theories of Counseling (3 credits)
Reviews and critically analyzes the major theoretical systems of counseling, as well as current research about counseling and therapy. Focuses on applying theoretical approaches and techniques to client conceptualization and counseling practice.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Summer Term
COUN 6040 Multicultural Counseling (3 credits)
Covers current theory, research and practice approaches within the field of multicultural counseling. Explores the topic of cultural diversity across multiple aspects of identity, with a focus on implications for professional practice, including advocacy work.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term
COUN 6050 Research Methods in Counseling (3 credits)
Reviews theories underlying various research methodologies and the research process. Methods for needs assessment and program evaluation are considered. Includes development of a research proposal including the identification of a research problem and preparation of a research plan.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term, 2019 Fall Term
COUN 6055 Introduction to Statistics (3 credits)
Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics including correlation, parametric and non-parametric techniques. Provides an overview of SPSS for data analysis.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2004 Spring Term, 2002 Spring Term, 2001 Spring Term, 2000 Spring Term
COUN 6060 Psychopathology and Diagnosis (3 credits)
Covers concepts of psychopathology and introduces methods of assessment and diagnosis for children, adolescents and adults with major mental disorders and personality disorders. Multiple perspectives of clients' emotional and psychological distress, disturbances and behaviors are considered. Focuses on the development of students' knowledge and skills to use the DSM diagnostic system while including acknowledgement of client strengths and resilience and the social and cultural context.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Summer Term
COUN 6070 Assessment in Counseling (3 credits)
Introduction to the basic concepts and methods for the psychological assessment of individuals in school, work and mental health settings. Testing and assessment is presented within an ethical, social and cultural context. Students' knowledge and skills to select, use and interpret selected standardized tests, checklists and rating forms are developed. Measures for assessing intelligence, achievement, personality, vocational interests and mental health issues are covered as is the use of clinical interviews to identify client issues.
Prerequisite: COUN 6000.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Fall Term
COUN 6080 Career Development and Counseling (3 credits)
Reviews theoretical approaches of career counseling and programming, as well as psychological, social and cultural factors that influence life-long career/vocational development. Components of career development programs and services are considered, as well as sources and uses of occupational and educational information.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Summer Term
COUN 6090 Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disabilities (3 credits)
Medical and psychiatric care and rehabilitation; physical restoration; etiology, prognosis and therapy of common disabling conditions. Theory of psychosocial, cultural and contextual aspects of disability and the effect on disability management and quality of life. Psychiatric rehabilitation interventions address community assertive treatment, independent living and the club house model.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2022 Summer Term, 2021 Summer Term, 2020 Summer Term
COUN 6110 Individual Counseling (3 credits)
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2012 Spring Term, 2011 Spring Term, 2010 Spring Term, 2009 Spring Term
COUN 6120 Group Counseling (3 credits)
Purposes, functions, types, and principles of group counseling. Dynamics of group interaction. Leadership of groups. Understanding of and ability to engage in and evaluate small group processes and relationships. Students experience group processes and the therapeutic value of groups by participating as members of an in-class group or facilitating a group off-campus.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
COUN 6130 Family Counseling (3 credits)
Introduction to theoretical approaches and methods of family counseling. Overview of the history and current issues in family counseling.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
COUN 6150 Addictions Counseling (3 credits)
Introduction to theory and research about the prevention and treatment of substance abuse disorders. Emphasizes research-supported strategies and counseling skills designed to meet individual client needs.
Prerequisite: COUN 6000.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2022 Summer Term, 2021 Summer Term, 2020 Summer Term
COUN 6160 Counseling with Children and Adolescents (3 credits)
Developmental stages and tasks of children and adolescents; theories and techniques of developmental and remedial counseling with children and adolescents; warning signs, possible causes and prevention and intervention strategies of behavior problems. Focuses on the assessment and integration of strength-based counseling approaches in counseling children and adolescents and addresses collaboration and consultation with families, schools and communities.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2022 Summer Term, 2021 Summer Term, 2020 Summer Term
COUN 6170 Trauma Counseling (3 credits)
Examines the theories and research regarding trauma, trauma response and trauma counseling. Reviews the psychological and physiological effects of various types of trauma. Focuses on case conceptualization skills and a trauma informed perspective and approach to counseling.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
COUN 6180 Advanced Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling (3 credits)
Explores advanced counseling diagnosis, treatment planning and intervention skills based on evidence-based practice. Students learn how to implement a structured diagnostic interview, engage in differential diagnosis and develop treatment planning. An emphasis is placed on the application of cognitive-behavioral interventions for disorders identified in DSM-5, as well as student demonstrations of treatment interventions.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
COUN 6220 Consultation Strategies (3 credits)
Analysis of consultation models, designing and implementing intervention strategies and evaluation of the total process. Introduction to the role and functions of a consultant. Analysis of current conceptual models, overview of design and implementation of intervention strategies and evaluation methods.
Prerequisite: COUN 6000.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
COUN 6230 Psychopharmacology (3 credits)
Introduction to psychopharmacology including central nervous system, basic drug mechanisms, modes of drug action, medication treatment for psychological/psychiatric disorders and efficiency of drugs.
Prerequisite: COUN 6060.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2022 Summer Term, 2021 Summer Term, 2020 Summer Term
COUN 6400 Leadership and Administration of Mental Health Counseling Services (3 credits)
Introduction to the knowledge and skills for counselor leadership roles in clinical mental health counseling services. Focuses on leading a community counseling agency with consideration to: effective administrative and business operational aspects of mental health services, the role of state regulations in the operation of mental health services, clinical supervision, licensure, finance, disaster and crisis planning and creating an effective work environment.
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in COUN 6986.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2019 Spring Term, 2018 Spring Term, 2017 Spring Term, 2016 Spring Term
COUN 6410 Leadership and Educational Administration for School Counseling (3 credits)
Focuses on leadership and educational administration practices essential to the development of a comprehensive school counseling program within K-12 educational settings. Examines contemporary educational leadership practices and educational policy, principles of collaboration and teamwork in schools, organizational structure of schools, school emergency management policies and practices, school-community relations and the importance of these topics to school counseling practice and comprehensive school counseling program development.
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in COUN 6990.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
COUN 6931 Topics in Counseling (2-3 credits)
In-depth study of theories and concepts in counseling which, because of their topicality, are not the subject of a regular course. Specific topics will be designated in the Schedule of Classes.
Prerequisite: Cons. of instr.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2018 Spring Term, 2017 Spring Term, 2016 Spring Term, 2015 Summer Term
COUN 6964 Individual Supervision Lab for Counseling Practicum (0 credits)
Students participate in individual supervision to facilitate counseling skill development, case conceptualization skills, and professional development. Students meet weekly with their supervisors and develop skills to utilize individual supervision effectively in the aforementioned areas.
Level of Study: Graduate
COUN 6965 Counseling Practicum (3 credits)
Supervised counseling practicum experience that requires a minimum of 100 clock hours (including 40 direct hours) and leads to the development of counseling skills. Students engage in their practicum activities at approved sites in the greater Milwaukee area and meet on campus weekly for a didactic seminar that furthers counseling skills and provides group supervision. Students are placed in settings that provide clinical training that is aligned with the general clinical mental counseling program or that is focused on their identified specialization (i.e., addictions counseling, child-adolescent counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling). Addresses clinical mental health counseling practice and professional issues relevant to each specialization.
Prerequisite: COUN 6000, COUN 6030, COUN 6060; and COUN 6003 or COUN 6005, COUN 6012, COUN 6120, which may be taken concurrently.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term
COUN 6969 Multicultural Counseling Lab (0 credits)
Students participate in small dialogue groups that expand and elaborate multicultural counseling topics presented in COUN 6040.
Prerequisite: COUN 6040, which must be taken concurrently; and cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term, 2019 Fall Term
COUN 6970 School Counseling Practicum (3 credits)
A supervised practicum experience that requires a minimum of 100 clock hours (including 40 direct hours) and leads to the development of counseling skills. Students engage in their practicum activities at approved sites in the greater Milwaukee area and meet on-campus weekly for a didactic seminar that furthers counseling skills and provides group supervision.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term
COUN 6971 Counseling Skills Lab 1 (0 credits)
Students practice entry-level counseling interview and client rapport development strategies. Labs are conducted in small groups with a supervisor and they progressively practice empathy, attending, listening, restatements, reflections of feelings, open-ended questions, and the integration of these skills. Students participate in three roles: client, counselor and observer.
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in COUN 6000.
Level of Study: Graduate
COUN 6972 Counseling Skills Lab 2 (0 credits)
Students practice counseling interview, insight and goal-development counseling skills. Labs are conducted in small groups with a supervisor and they progressively practice challenges, interpretations, and immediacy, and the integration of these skills. Students participate in three roles: client, counselor and observer.
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in COUN 6965.
Level of Study: Graduate
COUN 6986 Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (1-4 credits)
Supervised counseling experiences in assessment, diagnosis, intervention, prevention and consultation. Students engage in the internship activities at approved sites in the greater Milwaukee area and meet on campus weekly for a didactic seminar and group supervision. Three credits of internship require a minimum of 300 clock hours of practicum activities. Students are placed in settings that provide clinical training that is aligned with the general clinical mental counseling program or that is focused on their identified specialization (i.e., addictions counseling, child-adolescent counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling). Addresses clinical mental health counseling practice and professional issues relevant to each specialization track.
Prerequisite: COUN 6000, COUN 6030, COUN 6060, COUN 6003 or COUN 6005, COUN 6012, and COUN 6965; COUN 6040, COUN 6120 and COUN 6130, which may be taken concurrently; additional prerequisites may be required within each area of specialization.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Summer Term
COUN 6990 Internship in School Counseling (1-3 credits)
Supervised school counseling experiences in the development and implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program and services, including: crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, academic and career planning, consultation, and development and teaching of school counseling curriculum. Students engage in the internship activities at approved elementary, intermediate and high schools in Southeast Wisconsin and meet on campus weekly for a didactic seminar and group supervision. Three credits of internship require a minimum of 300 clock hours of practicum activities.
Prerequisite: COUN 6000, COUN 6001, COUN 6010; COUN 6020, COUN 6030, COUN 6060, COUN 6070, COUN 6080 and COUN 6970; COUN 6040, COUN 6120 and COUN 6050 which must be taken concurrently.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term
COUN 9984 Master's Comprehensive Examination Preparation: Less than Half-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of less than half-time status. Requires that the student is working less than 12 hours per week toward their master's comprehensive exam.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2010 Fall Term, 2009 Fall Term, 2009 Summer Term, 2008 Fall Term
COUN 9985 Master's Comprehensive Examination Preparation: Half-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of half-time status. Requires that the student is working more than 12 to less than 20 hours per week toward their master's comprehensive exam. May be taken in conjunction with credit-bearing or other non-credit courses to result in the status indicated, as deemed appropriate by the department.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2011 Spring Term, 2010 Fall Term, 2009 Fall Term, 2009 Summer Term
COUN 9986 Master's Comprehensive Examination Preparation: Full-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of full-time status. Requires that the student is working 20 hours or more per week toward their master's comprehensive exam. May be taken in conjunction with credit-bearing or other non-credit courses to result in the status indicated, as deemed appropriate by the department.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2012 Spring Term, 2011 Spring Term, 2010 Spring Term, 2009 Fall Term