The M.A. program is designed for individuals without prior teaching certification who wish to become school counselors. This initial certification program includes additional coursework and begins in the fall semester. 

• Required courses:
  
  
  • MHS 6010  Introduction to School Counseling (3)
  • MHS 6051  Human Development for School Counselors (3)
  • MHS 6200  Appraisal Procedures in Schools (3)
  • MHS 6340  Career Development (3)
  • MHS 6400 Counseling Theory for School Counselors (3)
  • MHS 6401 Advanced School Counseling Methods (3)
  • MHS 6500 Group Work for School Professionals (3)
  • MHS 6601 Consultation & Collaboration Problem Solving (3)
  • MHS 6605 Special Needs Counseling & Consultation (3)
  • MHS 6700  Legal & Ethical Issues in the Counseling Profession (3)
  • MHS 6710  Research & Program Evaluation (3)
  • MHS 6720  Seminar in Professional Development and Supervision (1)
  • MHS 6800  Practicum in Counseling (2)
  • MHS 6805  Advanced Practicum in Counseling (3)
  • MHS 6831  Internship I (2)
  • MHS 6832  Internship II (3)
  • SDS  6830  Internship in School Counseling (4)

In addition to the above required courses, the following must be completed (usually taken in the fall semester but under advisement a student may elect to take two courses in fall and the remaining course in a subsequent semester):

• EDF 6259  Classroom Mgmt & Organization (3)
• EDG 4620  Curriculum and Instruction (3)
• RED 5147 Developmental Reading (3)

Note: Requires 15 hours of field observation in a school setting during the day.

Additional Graduation Requirements

• Students must satisfactorily complete the minimum number of credit hours specified by the graduate degree program.
• A grade of B or higher must be earned in all College of Education graduate courses used as prerequisites and each core course.
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework in program.
• Students must complete and pass a culminating demonstration of learning and competence at the end of the program. These may include comprehensive examinations, portfolios, special practicum projects, or research projects. (Students seeking certification must fully demonstrate Educator Accomplished Practices.)
• Students seeking certification by graduating from a state approved program must take and pass all FTCE exam components as required by the state of Florida. These may include the Professional Education examination (taken by all applicants applying for an initial teaching certificate, a subject area examination (taken by all applicants in their subject area specialty), and the General Knowledge Test (if they do not already have Florida certification or if they have not already passed all subsections of the CLAST prior to July 1, 2002.) (See individual program requirements and/or advisors for information.)

Transfer Notes and Acceptable Substitutes

The College of Education limits the transfer of coursework into its graduate programs to a maximum of 12 credits or three courses. To be considered, courses must have been completed with a minimum grade of B and no more than seven years prior to the date of entry into the graduate program and no more than ten years prior to graduation from the graduate program.