Counselor Education Program
The Counselor Education Program is a 48-credit Master of Science degree that prepares candidates to work as school counselors in K-12; as coordinators of school counseling services through a developmental guidance model; or, as counselors in other settings, such as, community colleges, industry, community service centers and/or other related agencies. Graduate students may choose between two areas of specialization in the Counselor Education Program: School Counseling or Community Counseling. The program is accredited by CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.) Graduates are eligible to sit for the General Practice Counselor Certification under option C or E. Students are NCC (National Certified Counselor) eligible after passing the NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors) exam. A special administration of this examination is given at WestConn in the fall and the spring. In addition, graduates are eligible to become licensed as professional counselors (LPC) upon completing additional requirements set forth by the state of Connecticut.
In view of the responsibilities of the role of counselor in both school and community settings, students whose work is of marginal quality in pertinent courses or who demonstrate personal qualities that are not conductive to the role of counselor will not be recommended either for matriculation or continuation in the program.
School and Community Counseling Admission Requirements
Students may not take more than two courses in the program unless they have met the following entrance requirements:
- Have achieved a minimum of 2.8 QPR for all under-graduate courses.
- Have completed an undergraduate program which includes a general education distribution of courses in English, mathematics, science, social and behavioral sciences, foreign language and fine arts.
- Submit an essay demonstrating a proficiency in English, stating the reasons for wanting to enroll in a teacher education (counselor education) program, and emphasizing experiences relevant to the field.
- Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals able to testify to the student's suitability as a prospective counselor.
- Be interviewed by the program's faculty admissions committee which will assess the student's academic background and personal attributes that might affect the student's performance as a counselor.
- Have taken Nine (9) semester hours of psychology.
Additional School Counseling Admission Requirements
Students planning to enter the School Counseling program must meet the following additional requirements established by the State of Connecticut and the University.
- Pass the state-mandated skills examination (Praxis I) in mathematics, reading, and writing, or, present a combined score of 1000 on the SAT with at least a score of 400 on both the verbal and the mathematics sections respectively from any test administration prior to March
31, 1995; or, present a combined score of 1100 on the SAT with at least a score of 450 on both the verbal and the mathematics sections respectively from any test administration on or after April 1, 1995; or, present a composite score of 24 or more on the American College Testing Program Assessment (ACT), with no less than 22 on the English subtest and no less than 19 on the math subtest from test administration on or after October 1989. - Have completed an introductory course in special education.
Educators already certified by the State of Connecticut who apply for admission to this Master's program are exempt from the testing requirement noted in "a" above.
School Counseling Program Requirements
Initial Educator Certificate Requirements
Community Counseling Program Requirements
