The Student Manual has been prepared to introduce applicants and students to Shippensburg University graduate programs in Counseling.  The Manual presents the design of the various programs offered, admissions procedures, and Department policies.  It also contains several forms which will be useful as students progress through the program.  The Faculty of the Department of Counseling have, over the years, developed a program which attempts to meet students’ developmental needs, both personal and professional.  The manual has been designed as a guide to the program and profession, with the hope that it will facilitate an interesting and challenging program in the helping services.

The Department offers entry-level graduate programs leading to the:

•           Master of Education Degree and certification in School Counseling
•           Master of Science Degree with specialization in Mental Health Counseling, Community Counseling, College Student Personnel and College Counseling. 

Each of these programs is highlighted below and is outlined in a more complete Plan of Work presented in Appendix D. 

Students admitted to each of these programs are required to complete a minimum of 48 semester hours credit.  It has been the experience of the Department that students usually require three years or more to complete these hours.  A minimum of 60 semester credit hours is required for students in the Mental Health program.  Full time students enroll in a maximum of 9 credit hours of course work per semester.  Students must complete their programs within 7 years from their first class after being admitted in the program; however, more rapid completion is encouraged.   

While it is possible to complete the program as a part-time student, several of the advanced courses meet in the late afternoon, and most of the Practicum and Clinical Field Experience sites require that the student be available during the 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. time frame. 

Courses are organized into three phases and should be taken in that order.  The sequence within each phase should be followed as closely as possible.  As a student progresses through the program, it is required that he/she must meet regularly with the assigned advisor.  A student must apply for admission to candidacy for a major specialization in Counseling concurrently with CNS 585, Practicum in Counseling.  Upon admission to candidacy, the student completes the selected major area.

COUNSELING (M.ED.)

A minimum of 48 semester hour credits of graduate work is required for the Master of Education degree with specialization in Counseling.  Students in the Master of Education degree curriculum in Counseling may specialize in Elementary School Counseling or Secondary School Counseling.  Certification as a School Counselor by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires successful completion of four (4) PRAXIS Exams.  All students must successfully complete the three (3) subtests of the PPST PRAXIS Exam prior to candidacy.  The School Guidance and Counseling PRAXIS Exam (#0420) should be completed toward the end of a student’s course of study, ideally following or while enrolled in Clinical Field Experience II and Organization and Administration of School Counseling Services.

•           Elementary School Counseling Concentration (Degree and Certification)
•           Secondary School Counseling Concentration (Degree and Certification)
•           Dual School Certification (Pennsylvania Certification)

Students interested in adding a second area of certification (Elementary and Secondary) may apply for this option immediately after candidacy.  Students must consult with their advisor before initiating the process and demonstrate the ability to work with both age groups as discussed in the application packet.  Those selected into the program will be expected to take an additional six to twelve credits depending on their educational background.