The aim of the School Counseling program at Concordia University Chicago is to prepare school counselors who exhibit high standards of professional competence and ethical practice. Graduate students receive a high quality educational program that emphasizes Christian beliefs. The program also recognizes, values and encourages the development of skills and competencies that will be needed throughout the candidate’s career as a school counselor. The School Counseling program is carefully designed to prepare candidates for work as school counselors in elementary, middle and high school settings. Specifically, the School Counseling program offers training in providing individual and group work as well as development and refinement of individual skills in both public and private schools. The program of study meets certification requirements of the state of Illinois. Upon completion of the program, candidates are eligible to apply for the Illinois Professional Educator’s License: School Service Personnel Endorsement K-12 (formerly Type 73).
The program is designed to enable candidates to:
- Have a full understanding of the ASCA national model and its implementation in school counseling programs through developmental classroom leadership and responsive services, providing prevention and intervention services to the entire student population;
- Demonstrate knowledge of and skills in individual and group counseling services for students in school settings;
- Exhibit knowledge of and skills in consultation services for teachers, parents and administrators and to coordinate counseling interventions with other professionals;
- Assume a leadership role in the schools, focusing on the academic, career and personal/social development of every student;
- Coordinate testing and assessment in schools, analyzing disaggregated data to identify and advocate for underserved populations;
- Establish clear and appropriate professional identities as school counselors.
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Previously admitted students seeking to change programs may do so at the beginning of a semester (only) by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards at the time of requesting a program change.
Program-specific admission requirements:
Documented evidence of 12 semester hours of prior coursework in sociology or psychology or related field with a grade of “C” or higher and departmental approval.
Degree Requirements
Track One: Program requirements for individuals possessing a valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL)
- Must hold a Professional Educator License (PEL)
- Completion of the School Counseling program coursework
- Completion the Master’s Capstone Experience
Track Two: Program requirements for individuals without a valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL)
- Completion of the School Counseling program coursework
- Completion of the Master’s Capstone Experience
Completion of the following three courses with demonstrated competencies. These courses (or equivalent) are required, in addition to the 48-hour portion of the program, and must be completed before taking practicum and/or internship:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPED-6425 | Psychology & Methods of Teaching the Exceptional Learner | 3 |
| PSY-6505 | Psychological Theories and Educational Processes | 3 |
| CED-6890 | Reading Methods and Bilingual Education for School Support Personnel | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CED-6005 | Fundamentals of School Counseling | 3 |
| CED-6010 | Counseling Theory And Practice | 3 |
| CED-6015 | Counseling Intervention and Techniques | 3 |
| CED-6035 | Counseling and Human Development | 3 |
| CED-6045 | Ethics, Law and Morality for Counselors | 3 |
| CED-6055 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| CED-6210 | School Counseling Program Development and Organization | 3 |
| CED-6220 | Counseling and Consulting in Schools | 3 |
| CED-6230 | Evaluation and Research for Counselors | 3 |
| CED-6240 | Group Work in Schools | 3 |
| CED-6250 | Fundamentals of Assessment | 3 |
| CED-6260 | Career Counseling for School Counselors | 3 |
| Elective | ||
| Select one graduate level course in advisement with your graduate program specialist (GPS). | 3 | |
| Clinical Experience | ||
| CED-6920 | Practicum: School Counseling | 3 |
| CED-6928 & CED-6929 | Internship: School Counseling I and Internship: School Counseling II | 6 |
| Total Hours | 48 | |
Capstone Experience
All students in Concordia University Chicago’s School Counseling program will complete a written portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of work that demonstrates growth toward, and understanding of, professional standards. During the practicum portion of the program, students will construct a comprehensive developmental program that could be implemented and will increase students’ success in multiple domains. The portfolio developed should be something that students can use in their future career as a school counselor.
Graduation Requirements
- Have on file an application as a degree-seeking graduate student.
- Have on file one official transcript from EACH college/university attended of all previous coursework taken.
- Complete, for the degree being sought:
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with grades of C- or higher,
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- If transfer credit is approved to be applied: have on file an approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s) or evaluation(s).
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Have on file, if applicable, necessary copies of a project, thesis or dissertation.
- Take and pass the final examination or terminal requirements in the program during or after the final course.
- Approval of the faculty.
- All administrative obligations to CUC must be cleared in order to prompt the release of CUC transcripts and diploma(s).
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program, degree and graduation/completion requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to graduation requirements.
This program leads to initial Illinois licensure, or an additional credential on an existing Illinois PEL, with direct University entitlement. The awarding of this Illinois licensure or credential will require the completion of your academic program, and may require an existing PEL, a passing score on the corresponding Illinois State Licensure Test(s), associated work experience, and/or a previous master's degree. For specific requirements regarding this credential please refer to ISBE’s webpage or contact the Licensure Officer at licensure@cuchicago.edu.
Post-graduate coursework
A student who wishes to enroll in a course(s) after completion of coursework required for the master’s degree must apply as a guest graduate student and have guest status for the term(s) for which the student registers for these course(s).