This master’s degree allows the student to become licensed as a professional school counselor through the Illinois State Board of Education. The specialty area sequence prepares students to work with students, staff and families in public and private K-12 school systems. Courses and professional practice experiences in the field provide students the skills and knowledge to deliver a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program based on national standards and best practice, and to serve as leaders and advocates for students, schools, and the profession.
Program Requirements
All incoming first-year counseling students are required to pay a one-time $200 fee for a student account in Tevera. Tevera is an online program management platform used to electronically complete evaluations in multiple counseling classes and to log hours for Practicum and Internship. You will sign up for a Tevera student account during your CSL 452 Intro to Counseling course in the fall of your first year. The $200 fee will post to your student account within a month of registering for a Tevera account.
Course Requirements
Social and Cultural Studies Courses: 8 quarter hours required, grade of B- or better required
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SCG 401 | ADVANCED LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| SCG 410 | INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH: PURPOSES, ISSUES, AND METHODOLOGIES | 4 |
Counseling Courses: 66-701 quarter hours required, grade of B- or better required
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSL 451 | LEGAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES IN COUNSELING | 4 |
| CSL 452 | INTRODUCTION TO THE COUNSELING PROFESSION | 4 |
| CSL 458 | GROUP COUNSELING | 4 |
| CSL 461 | TESTING AND APPRAISAL | 4 |
| CSL 466 | ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY | 4 |
| CSL 467 | COUNSELING THEORIES | 4 |
| CSL 481 | SPECIAL TOPICS IN SCHOOL COUNSELING: | 2 |
| CSL 475 | COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS COUNSELING FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS | 4 |
| CSL 489 | PSYCHOPATHOLOGY | 4 |
| CSL 501 | COUNSELING SKILLS | 4 |
| CSL 510 | MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING | 4 |
| CSL 514 | CRISIS INTERVENTION FOR SCHOOL COUNSELING | 4 |
| CSL 519 | FOUNDATIONS OF READING LITERACY& SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS | 4 |
| CSL 520 | COUNSELING CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS | 4 |
| CSL 521 | CONTEXTUAL DIMENSIONS OF SCHOOL COUNSELING | 4 |
| CSL 522 | DELIVERY OF COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS | 4 |
| CSL 556 | COUPLES AND FAMILY COUNSELING (Take Spring quarter of 3rd year) | 4 |
| CSL 523 | LEARNING AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT FOR SCHOOL COUNSELORS (required only for students without a teaching license) 1 | 4 |
- 1
CSL 523 required only for students without a teaching license.
Practicum and Internship: 4 courses, 16 hours; grade of B or better is required
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSL 552 | PRACTICUM IN COUNSELING ( Taken Spring quarter) | 4 |
| CSL 553 | INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING I (200 clock hours) | 4 |
| CSL 554 | INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING II (200 clock hours) | 4 |
| CSL 555 | INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING III (200 clock hours) | 4 |
Choose one: Thesis (MA) or Capstone (MEd)
Master of Arts (MA) Degree Requirements: Non-credit, non-tuition, grade of B- or better required
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSL 559 | THESIS RESEARCH IN COUNSELING | 0 |
The Master’s Thesis is written in conjunction with CSL 553 and CSL 554 and with faculty advisement. Enrollment in CSL 559 and an oral examination are required. Consult the MA Thesis Handbook for additional information.
Master of Education (MEd) Degree Requirements
Capstone project with faculty supervision written in conjunction with CSL 553, CSL 554, and CSL 555. Does not require additional course enrollment.
Licensure Tests
All individuals licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) are required to complete licensure tests specific to their licensure area.
School Counseling students must complete the following tests:
- School Counseling Content Area (test #235) – assesses knowledge of student development, assessment, the school environment and the school counseling profession. Students must pass the School Counseling Content Area (test #235) prior to CSL 555: Internship III.