COURSE CURRICULUM

The School Counseling program requires the completion of 60 credits, combining core coursework, a concentration in school counseling, and a culminating practicum and internship experience. Core courses include foundational counseling topics such as research methods, lifespan development, counseling theories, ethical issues, group counseling, multicultural development, appraisal techniques, career counseling, and basic counseling techniques. These courses provide a comprehensive base in professional counseling knowledge and practice.Students must complete a school counseling concentration, which can be pursued through one of two options. The first is the electives option, where students take Counseling in Schools I and II, and then select 18 credits from a wide range of elective courses. These electives include topics such as substance abuse counseling, counseling specific populations like children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, as well as specialized topics such as family counseling, consultation theories, ecotherapy, adoption issues, gender issues, and special education law.The second option leads to Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC) certification and includes a fixed set of eight courses focused on substance abuse, family dynamics, education law, and school-based counseling. This pathway prepares students to take on more specialized roles within school systems, particularly in areas of substance abuse intervention and student support services.Both pathways require students to complete a practicum and two internships, totaling 600 hours of supervised field experience. These clinical experiences take place in school settings and allow students to apply their knowledge while developing professional skills. In their final semester, students must register for and pass the comprehensive examination to graduate. The program is designed to prepare graduates for certification as school counselors and, if applicable, as Student Assistance Coordinators in New Jersey. Through this structure, the program equips future school counselors with the tools necessary to support diverse student populations in academic, emotional, and social development.