School Counseling (M.S.E.)
60 credits
NYSED 41623
The M.S.E. program in school counseling is designed to prepare school counselors who will work in K-12 schools. This program meets the course requirements for provisional/initial and permanent/professional certification as a school counselor in New York state. Students who successfully complete all of the program requirements will be recommended for certification as a school counselor.
The required courses in this degree program are offered at the Lincoln Center campus. All courses in the program are delivered in an on-ground format. Courses are offered during the fall and spring semesters; some of the courses are offered during the two summer sessions.
The M.S.E. in school counseling is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period of January 2015 through January 2026.
CIP Code
13.1101 - Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services.
You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.
Admission Requirements
Applicants seeking admission to the M.S.E. program in school counseling must meet the general requirements for admission to graduate study in the Graduate School of Education and these program-specific admission criteria:
- possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- show evidence of professional promise (personal, interpersonal, and intellectual characteristics appropriate to the profession and the ability to communicate effectively); evidence may be contained in the student’s application for admission, or may be sought in an interview with a member of the program faculty, if deemed appropriate
- have earned a minimum undergraduate grade point average of approximately 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- provide two reference letters
- demonstrate satisfactory command of oral and written English
- provide proof of immunization against measles, mumps, meningitis, and rubella
Program of Study
This 60-credit program includes 54 credits in five basic areas, a two-semester field experience, and a one-semester practicum. The following courses are offered as 6-credit modules (two courses taken together, a didactic course paired with a relevant practice course):
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSGE 5620 & PSGE 5622 | Introduction to Professional School Counseling I and Pre-Practicum in Professional School Counseling I | 6 |
| PSGE 5630 & PSGE 5632 | Theories of Counseling for School Counselors and Social Justice Practicum in Professional School Counseling | 6 |
| PSGE 6630 & PSGE 6632 | Group Counseling and Pre-Practicum in Groups | 6 |
| PSGE 6640 & PSGE 6642 | Career Counseling and Practicum in Career Counseling | 6 |
In addition to the 60 course credits (in semester hours), students must complete a minimum of 300 hours in an approved K-8 school counseling field experience (internship) and 300 hours in an approved 9–12 school counseling field experience (internship), and a minimum of 100 hours in a practicum the year before the internship. Students are required to obtain their own placements for PSGE 6652 Field Experience in School Counseling I and PSGE 6654 Field Experience in School Counseling II, as well as for PSGE 5632 Social Justice Practicum in Professional School Counseling.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Area I: Foundations of Counseling | ||
| PSGE 5620 & PSGE 5622 | Introduction to Professional School Counseling I and Pre-Practicum in Professional School Counseling I | 6 |
| PSGE 5630 & PSGE 5632 | Theories of Counseling for School Counselors and Social Justice Practicum in Professional School Counseling (Minimum of 100 hour placement in K-12 School, 40 of those hours must be direct service.) | 6 |
| Area II: Understanding the Individual | ||
| PSGE 6602 | Human Development | 3 |
| PSGE 6607 | Assessment in Counseling | 3 |
| Area III: Working with Groups 1 | ||
| PSGE 6630 & PSGE 6632 | Group Counseling and Pre-Practicum in Groups | 6 |
| Area IV: Career Development and Counseling 2 | ||
| PSGE 6640 & PSGE 6642 | Career Counseling and Practicum in Career Counseling | 6 |
| Area V: The Counselor: Role and Function 3 | ||
| PSGE 5627 | Couns College & Post HS | 3 |
| PSGE 6650 | Ethics and Professional Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| Area VI: Professional Issues 4 | ||
| PSGE 5204 | Research Methods in Counseling 5 | 3 |
| PSGE 6417 | Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities | 3 |
| PSGE 6605 | Counseling Program Development and Evaluation | 3 |
| PSGE 6645 | General Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSGE 6656 | Multicultural Counseling 6 | 3 |
| PSGE 6659 | Trauma Interp Neurobio | 3 |
| Comprehensive Assessment | ||
| PSGE 0705 | Master's Comprehensive Exam/Assessment in Counseling | 0 |
| Field Experiences | ||
| PSGE 6652 | Field Experience in School Counseling I (minimum of 300 hours) | 3 |
| PSGE 6654 | Field Experience in School Counseling II (minimum of 300 hours) | 3 |
| Required Workshops | ||
| EDGE 0210 | Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Workshop | 0 |
| EDGE 0230 | Schools Against Violence Education Workshop | 0 |
| EDGE 0260 | Dignity for All Students Training | 0 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Area III requires PSGE 5620 Introduction to Professional School Counseling I and PSGE 5622 Pre-Practicum in Professional School Counseling I as prerequisites.
- 2
Area IV requires PSGE 5620 Introduction to Professional School Counseling I and PSGE 5622 Pre-Practicum in Professional School Counseling I as prerequisites.
- 3
Area V may be taken only after students have completed Areas I, II, III, and IV.
- 4
No prerequisites needed for courses in Area VI. Full-time students typically take these courses in their second year of study.
- 5
PSGE 5203 Introduction to Research may also fulfill this requirement.
- 6
PSGE 6603 Multicultural Issues in Professional Psychology, typically offered in the summer, may also fulfill this requirement.
Bilingual Extension Option (15 credits)
Students wishing to qualify for the bilingual extension to their certification must meet New York state requirements for field experience in a bilingual context, study of cultural perspectives, the theory/practice of bilingual/multicultural education, and methods of providing service in native language by demonstrating proficiency in a second language on state-administered exams. Students must complete a total of 15 credits in the areas outlined below:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSGE 6656 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| CTGE 5841 | Principles of Bilingual Education | 3 |
| or CTGE 6782 | Bil Spec Ed: Issues&Trend | |
| EDGE 6101 | Race and Multicultural Education in American Society | 3 |
| or PSGE 6401 | Seminar in the Psychology of Bilingual Students | |
| PSGE 6652 & PSGE 6654 | Field Experience in School Counseling I and Field Experience in School Counseling II (Bilingual) | 6 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
To qualify for the bilingual extension, field experience must be in a K–12 school setting working with bilingual children under the supervision of a bilingual school counselor.
Completion Requirements
To complete the M.S.E. in school counseling, students must meet the following requirements:
- strictly adhere to the principles of academic integrity of Fordham University's Graduate School of Education and to the ethical principles of the profession
- complete the prescribed program of study, including 60 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, with a minimum of 54 graduate credits taken at Fordham (all transfer credits need to be approved by the student’s adviser and program)
- maintain a minimum overall graduate grade point average of 3.0 (B or better)
- complete an end-of-program comprehensive assessment
- complete any required related practica or school counseling internships
Students may be terminated from the program if they fail to complete any of these steps.