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. 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 K–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 6602Human Development3
PSGE 6607Assessment in Counseling3
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 5627Couns College & Post HS3
PSGE 6650Ethics and Professional Issues in Counseling3
Area VI: Professional Issues 4
PSGE 5204Research Methods in Counseling 53
PSGE 6417Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities3
PSGE 6605Counseling Program Development and Evaluation3
PSGE 6645General Psychopathology3
PSGE 6656Multicultural Counseling 63
PSGE 6659Trauma Interp Neurobio3
Comprehensive Assessment
PSGE 0705Master's Comprehensive Exam/Assessment in Counseling0
Field Experiences
PSGE 6652Field Experience in School Counseling I (minimum of 300 hours)3
PSGE 6654Field Experience in School Counseling II (minimum of 300 hours)3
Total Credits60
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 6656Multicultural Counseling3
CTGE 5841Principles of Bilingual Education3
or CTGE 6782 Bil Spec Ed: Issues&Trend
EDGE 6101Race and Multicultural Education in American Society3
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 Credits15

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.