Professional School Counseling prepares individuals for careers as school counselors in K-12 schools and alternative education centers. Particular emphasis is placed on the professional school counselor's role in enhancing the mental health of children and adolescents, and the early identification of potential mental health concerns among K-12 students. Consultation with program faculty is required to determine specific coursework necessary to fulfill licensure requirements.
Program Requirements
Common Core
This introductory course provides a comprehensive overview of the counseling profession, emphasizing the development of professional identity and orientation. Students will explore ethical standards, legal mandates, and their application in various counseling settings. The course covers the philosophies, strategies, and current trends that shape counseling practice, as well as the roles and responsibilities of counselors. Additionally, students will examine the developmental needs and challenges of clients within a changing society, gaining insights into the nature of the counseling profession.
Prerequisites:
none
Focus on helping skills model, professional issues, and skill acquisition of basic listening responses.
Prerequisites:
none
This course introduces theories, models, and practices of crisis intervention with attention to trauma, suicide prevention, and disaster response. Students gain knowledge and skills in assessment and intervention while considering ethical, legal, and cultural factors. Emphasis is placed on applied, trauma-informed strategies for effective crisis counseling across the lifespan.
Prerequisites:
CSP 645
This course is specific to the counseling profession, focusing on both the cultural and sociopolitical forces influencing people in a multicultural society, as well as the microskills necessary for engaging in cross-cultural counselor-client interactions.
Prerequisites:
none
This course explores developmentally appropriate counseling strategies for children and adolescents, including play, creative, and expressive interventions. Emphasis is placed on applying theory to practice, collaborating with families and schools, and addressing the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of diverse youth.
Prerequisites:
CSP 618 and CSP 645
This course examines human development from conception through late adulthood, integrating physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and neurobiological perspectives. Topics include developmental theories, cultural and contextual influences, and the neurobiological etiology of addiction across the lifespan, with attention to implications for counseling practice
Prerequisites:
none
Overview of theories of career development, career guidance, career choice, and decision-making. Career counseling interviews and assessment techniques are also emphasized.
Prerequisites:
Admission into a program in the CSP department.
This course provides foundation knowledge and skills for conducting intake interviews and utilizing objective and projective personality assessments in counseling practice.
Prerequisites:
CSP 645, CSP 665, and CSP 666
A review and analysis of major counseling theories coupled with empirical support and specific counseling theory techniques and theoretical case analysis.
Prerequisites:
none
Overview of family theories and family functioning. Focus on techniques and skills to address issues of contemporary families.
Prerequisites:
none
This course provides a foundation for the use of diagnostic classification systems and designing evidence based treatment plans in counseling. The course also emphasizes the integration of personality assessment data, diagnostic intake interviews, and clinical documentation procedures in their role in assuring client care.
Prerequisites:
CSP 645, CSP 661, CSP 665 and CSP 666
Major theories of group development are presented along with analysis of group notes, group techniques, and groups for special populations. An experiential component is included for experience in group processes.
Prerequisites:
CSP 645
Research/Methods Course(s)
This course will prepare students to effectively understand and utilize the results of research and will provide an understanding of the processes involved in the conceptualization, design, implementation, and reporting of research, including program evaluation research.
Prerequisites:
none
Emphasis Common Core
Roles and functions of the professional school counselor in a school setting. Survey of comprehensive school counseling programs.
Prerequisites:
none
This course focuses on the professional school counselors' role within and use of data-driven practices to make informed, culturally responsive decisions while working in multi-tiered, multi-domain systems of support (MTSS) leading to evidence-based intervention and program accountability.
Prerequisites:
none
The course provides an overview of identity building and professional skills related to advocacy, leadership, and school counselor supervision. The course will assess styles, provide models for consideration, and explore how to align these practices with positive student outcomes.
Prerequisites:
none
Developmental needs and characteristics of children and adolescents. School guidance programs and interventions that respond to these needs.
Prerequisites:
none
Supervised Practicum experiences. Admission by prior application. Pre-requisite: permission from instructor.
Prerequisites:
CSP 618, CSP 645, and CSP 673
Capstone Course
Choose 6 Credit(s).
Supervised field experiences in individual counseling, group counseling, and classroom core curriculum delivery in PK-12 settings.
Prerequisites:
CSP 682
Supervised field experiences in PK-12 settings designed to enrich and extend professional school counseling competencies.
Prerequisites:
CSP 682
Degree Plan
The Degree Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual degree plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan. * Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.
First Year
Fall - 12 Credits
This introductory course provides a comprehensive overview of the counseling profession, emphasizing the development of professional identity and orientation. Students will explore ethical standards, legal mandates, and their application in various counseling settings. The course covers the philosophies, strategies, and current trends that shape counseling practice, as well as the roles and responsibilities of counselors. Additionally, students will examine the developmental needs and challenges of clients within a changing society, gaining insights into the nature of the counseling profession.
Prerequisites:
none
Focus on helping skills model, professional issues, and skill acquisition of basic listening responses.
Prerequisites:
none
This course is specific to the counseling profession, focusing on both the cultural and sociopolitical forces influencing people in a multicultural society, as well as the microskills necessary for engaging in cross-cultural counselor-client interactions.
Prerequisites:
none
Roles and functions of the professional school counselor in a school setting. Survey of comprehensive school counseling programs.
Prerequisites:
none
Spring - 12 Credits
This course explores developmentally appropriate counseling strategies for children and adolescents, including play, creative, and expressive interventions. Emphasis is placed on applying theory to practice, collaborating with families and schools, and addressing the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of diverse youth.
Prerequisites:
CSP 618 and CSP 645
Overview of theories of career development, career guidance, career choice, and decision-making. Career counseling interviews and assessment techniques are also emphasized.
Prerequisites:
Admission into a program in the CSP department.
This course focuses on the professional school counselors' role within and use of data-driven practices to make informed, culturally responsive decisions while working in multi-tiered, multi-domain systems of support (MTSS) leading to evidence-based intervention and program accountability.
Prerequisites:
none
Major theories of group development are presented along with analysis of group notes, group techniques, and groups for special populations. An experiential component is included for experience in group processes.
Prerequisites:
CSP 645
Summer - 12 Credits
This course examines human development from conception through late adulthood, integrating physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and neurobiological perspectives. Topics include developmental theories, cultural and contextual influences, and the neurobiological etiology of addiction across the lifespan, with attention to implications for counseling practice
Prerequisites:
none
This course provides foundation knowledge and skills for conducting intake interviews and utilizing objective and projective personality assessments in counseling practice.
Prerequisites:
CSP 645, CSP 665, and CSP 666
A review and analysis of major counseling theories coupled with empirical support and specific counseling theory techniques and theoretical case analysis.
Prerequisites:
none
Supervised Practicum experiences. Admission by prior application. Pre-requisite: permission from instructor.
Prerequisites:
CSP 618, CSP 645, and CSP 673
Second Year
Fall - 12 Credits
This course provides a foundation for the use of diagnostic classification systems and designing evidence based treatment plans in counseling. The course also emphasizes the integration of personality assessment data, diagnostic intake interviews, and clinical documentation procedures in their role in assuring client care.
Prerequisites:
CSP 645, CSP 661, CSP 665 and CSP 666
Developmental needs and characteristics of children and adolescents. School guidance programs and interventions that respond to these needs.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will prepare students to effectively understand and utilize the results of research and will provide an understanding of the processes involved in the conceptualization, design, implementation, and reporting of research, including program evaluation research.
Prerequisites:
none
Supervised field experiences in individual counseling, group counseling, and classroom core curriculum delivery in PK-12 settings.
Prerequisites:
CSP 682
Spring - 12 Credits
This course introduces theories, models, and practices of crisis intervention with attention to trauma, suicide prevention, and disaster response. Students gain knowledge and skills in assessment and intervention while considering ethical, legal, and cultural factors. Emphasis is placed on applied, trauma-informed strategies for effective crisis counseling across the lifespan.
Prerequisites:
CSP 645
Overview of family theories and family functioning. Focus on techniques and skills to address issues of contemporary families.
Prerequisites:
none
The course provides an overview of identity building and professional skills related to advocacy, leadership, and school counselor supervision. The course will assess styles, provide models for consideration, and explore how to align these practices with positive student outcomes.
Prerequisites:
none
Supervised field experiences in PK-12 settings designed to enrich and extend professional school counseling competencies.
Prerequisites:
CSP 682
Policies
Admissions Standards
Applications for summer and fall are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications received by January 15 will receive priority consideration. Applications will be reviewed until the program is full.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university. Students with an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above will be most competitive for admission to the program.
Three letters of recommendation focusing on your academic potential and your promise to become an effective counselor/helping professional. One of the recommendations must be from an instructor, an academic advisor, or a professional reference.
Personal statement submitted by answering prompt questions.
Abnormal Psychology or its equivalent. This prerequisite course must be completed prior to or during the first year of admission to the program and is not considered part of the student's regular graduate program.
Progression Standards
Students must make adequate yearly progress toward degree completion and must know the MSU, Mankato, Graduate College Policy and Course Requirements and adhere to time limits for program completion. Students are strongly encouraged to complete in two to three years and inform their advisor if they are unable to enroll in classes during a given academic year.
Current students must possess skills and abilities to successfully complete the course of study for their emphasis or program. Students must meet the Professional Dispositions and Competencies established by the Department of Counseling and Student Personnel.
Completion/ Graduation Standards
To complete the 60-credit program emphases in two years, all students need to complete 12 credits in the fall and spring semesters and 3-9 credits in the summer.
Students attending part time are encouraged to complete at least two courses per semester during the academic year and 3-6 credits each summer. Students completing their program on a part-time basis should discuss their plans with their advisor. To complete Practicum and Internship requirements, all students must commit to at least nine months of extensive practice and supervision.
Students in the Mental Health Counseling and Professional School Counseling emphasis areas must pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) as a summative evaluation to demonstrate what students have learned during their graduate program. The exam is computer-based, multiple-choice and covers concepts related to the eight core areas identified by CACREP.
All students seeking degrees must take CSP 675 Research and Program Evaluation in Counseling and Student Personnel.
All Mental Health Counseling and Professional School Counseling students must complete a 100-hour practicum in addition to completing a 600-hour internship that serves as their capstone experience.
