School Counseling, M.S.Ed.

Matriculation Requirements

Applicants must obtain and file the college admission form, including the supplemental School of Education admission form. Applicants must also submit letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with applicants’ professional and academic experience. The program invites selected applicants to participate in a group interview and to complete an on-site writing sample.

In addition to the above requirements, applicants for the bilingual specialization in school counseling are interviewed in the language presented for competency.

Students should note additional requirements found at the beginning of this section as well as in the sections “Admission” and “Academic Regulations and Procedures” of the Brooklyn College Bulletin of Graduate Programs.

Degree Requirements (60–66 Credits)

Sixty credits are required for the degree. Sixty-six credits are required for the degree with a specialization in bilingual school counseling.

Students must complete 60 credits in the following courses: SPCL 7801X, 7800X, 7806T, 7802T, 7804X, 7803T, 7810T, 7807T, 7808T, 7809T, 7922T, 7811T, 7813X, 7812T, 7814T, 7815T, 7901X, 7818T, 7823T, 7820X.

Students who have the school counseling M.S. degree from another university and wish to complete the bilingual specialization must take the following courses: SPCL 7922, SPCL 7823, SPCL 7914, CBSE 7350, SPCL 7815.

Full-time students typically take four courses each semester, and part-time students typically take two to three courses each semester. Summer courses may be available.

After a student completes approximately 12 credits, the faculty members review the student’s progress and potential and recommend continuation or withdrawal. This evaluation is based on criteria described in the “Program Statement of Expectations” made available to students when they enter the program.

Students will develop a professional portfolio.

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00 (B). A student who earns six credits below B- will not be awarded an M.S. in education in this program.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Apply the knowledge base of counseling and evidence-based practices to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive developmental school counseling programs with diverse counseling populations.
• Assume the roles and functions of the professional school counselor as described by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP), the American School Counseling Association (ASCA), National Standards, and ASCA National Model.
• Apply and adapt theories of counseling, human development, educational and psychological assessment, career and educational development, family counseling and group dynamics into effective evidence-based interventions and practices for diverse individuals, groups, and families.
• Form effective helping relationships with diverse individuals and groups.
• Develop empowering relationships between parents/communities and educators that contribute to the academic, social, and emotional development of students.
• Apply leadership group dynamics knowledge and skills into effective classroom counseling interventions.
• Apply educational planning, career development and decision theory, and knowledge of sources of career information to student development and aspirations.
• Use formal and informal assessment procedures to identify student and school community needs, focus interventions, and assess counseling intervention and programmatic outcomes and effectiveness.
• Apply evidence-based research results and culturally competent research skills to guide counseling practice.
• Demonstrate ethical behavior based on the ethical standards for ACA and ASCA, and understand the legal issues relevant to school counseling.
• Exhibit the professional leadership and social advocacy skills necessary to serve as an effective change agent, and advance the cause of disenfranchised, marginalized, and/or underrepresented groups, parents, and students.
• Foster self-reflective capacities in oneself and others that facilitate personal, emotional, social, spiritual, and multicultural competencies development and that allow one to consider the meaningfulness of education as a lifelong evolutionary process.

Admissions Requirements

• Fall Application Deadline: Rolling admission
• Spring Application Deadline: The program does not accept applications for spring.

Supporting Documents for Matriculation

Submit the following documents to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

• Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Applicants who earned a bachelor’s degree outside the United States need to submit a course-by-course international transcript evaluation. See Graduate Admissions for more information.
• Two letters of recommendation (including at least one letter from a professor with whom you have studied)
• Résumé
• Personal statement of approximately 750 words explaining your reasons for wishing to enter the profession of school counseling. The essay should be self-reflective, make appropriate reference to experience working with children, and demonstrate one’s familiarity and compatibility with particular features of the Brooklyn College School Counseling program.

Required Tests

• F-1 or J-1 international students must submit English Proficiency Exam. TOEFL—79, IELTS—6.5, PTE—58–63, Duolingo—105–160.

All students accepted to the School of Education are required to submit fingerprint verification before signing up for most education classes. Verification is needed if you already have fingerprint records or not. Please read the instructions and if you have questions about the instructions, you may e-mail Helen Spencer.

The program is competitive and receives more qualified applicants than there are openings available. Following a review of applications, potential candidates will be invited for a group interview with the program faculty. The interview enables faculty to assess personal characteristics deemed necessary for successful performance in the field of school counseling. During the interview, applicants will be asked to complete a writing sample of 250 words drawn from suggested topics. A satisfactory interview evaluation is a requirement for admission.

Students are admitted to the School Counseling Program with matriculated status only. Students commit to either full-time or part-time status, depending on availability of the openings, and are expected to maintain this status for the duration of their matriculation. Transfer credits are rarely accepted. Applicants who wish to have courses considered for transfer credit must provide course descriptions or syllabuses demonstrating that the courses are directly parallel to offerings required in the Brooklyn College program.

Refer to the instructions at Graduate Admissions.

Contact

Graciela Elizalde-Utnick, Program Coordinator

1107 James Hall
E: gutnick@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.5876

Or contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions

222 West Quad Center
2900 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
E: grads@brooklyn.cuny.edu
P: 718.951.4536

Office Hours

Mondays–Fridays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

To make an appointment with a graduate admissions counselor, visit:

BC Admissions Appointment Tool