Professional School Counseling, Pre-K - 12 Counseling Concentration, M.S.

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Program Overview

The primary goal of the Professional School Counseling Psychology Program is to train competent and culturally aware counselors to support teachers, other professional personnel and parents in addressing the needs of students from diverse backgrounds related to academic and career preparation as well as personal growth and development. Special emphasis is placed on prevention and recognition of values and strengths. Professional School Counseling curriculum is designed to meet the requirements for licensure as set forth by the Tennessee State Board of Education.

Program Objectives

1. PSC students will practice advocating for K-12 students in their academic, career and social/emotional growth.

2. PSC students will learn to use data to identify student needs, including gaps in achievement, attainment, information, attendance, discipline, resource, opportunity and well-being

3. Students will practice addressing access issues to create accessible opportunities

4. Students will practice leading, advocating and collaborating to create systemic change for all students’ success

5. Students will learn to build a community of belonging

Admission Requirements

Admission into the MS Counseling, Professional School Counseling program requires the student to:

Have earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related area.

Have completed four undergraduate pre-requisite courses:

Elementary Statistics
General Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Developmental Psychology

Complete the online application by February

Upload the following documents:

Letter of intent
Three (3) letters of recommendation, and
Official transcripts of all academic work

NOTE: Applicants must successfully complete an interview with the TSU Professional School Counseling Community Advisory Council.

Important Dates

Students begin their coursework in the MS Counseling, Professional School Counseling program at the beginning of the fall semester. The program has a yearly application deadline of February 1st.

Degree Requirements

Sixty semester credits of approved course work are required. For students who already have a Master’s degree the following courses are required: , All candidates must successfully complete a final written comprehensive examination.

Note: Licensure as a Professional School Counselor in the state of Tennessee requires a minimum score of 156 on the Praxis II Professional School Counselor (K-12) #5421 Specialty Area Test. The test application is available at www.ets.org/praxis.

Career Opportunities

There is a projected demand for Professional School Counselors in Tennessee (19%) and Nashville (12%). This is reflected in opportunities such as Project RAISE, which provides incentives for PSC students to serve rural TN communities. When students graduate from the program, they can acquire licensure and begin their careers soon after graduation. Past students have found positions as Professional School Counselors, in non-profit organizations, sought clinical mental health licensure, and started doctoral programs.

All of the full-time faculty teaching in the program hold terminal degrees.

Faculty Credentials

Lauren Rocha, PhD, Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator

Thurman Webb, PhD, Associate Professor

Program Website

https://www.tnstate.edu/psychology

Program Coordinator

Dr. Lauren Rocha, Assistant Professor of Psychology
lrocha@tnstate.edu
615-963-51445345

Pre-K-12 School Counseling Concentration

NOTE: Applicants must successfully complete an interview with the TSU Professional School Counseling Community Advisory Council.

Individuals who seek the master’s degree in Professional School Counseling, Pre-K-12 School Counseling concentration must:

1. Have earned an Undergraduate degree in Psychology or a related area.
   a. Complete four undergraduate pre-requisites:
       1. Elementary Statistics
       2. General Psychology,
       3. Abnormal Psychology
       4. Developmental Psychology

2. Complete the online application by February (see Department website for a link to the application).

3. Upload the following documents:
   a. Letter of intent;
   b. Three (3) letters of recommendation, and
   c. Official transcripts of all academic work

Degree Requirements

A minimum of four semesters and a summer term of residential study and forty-eight (48) semester credits (51 hours for those not holding a teaching license) of approved course work. All candidates must successfully complete a final written comprehensive examination.

Program of Study and Credit Hours Required

Year One

Fall Semester (9 hours)
PSYC 5090 - Guidance and Counseling Services in the Schools (3) CIP:
PSYC 5040 - Statistics and Methodology (3) CIP:
PSYC 5570 - Individuals, Couples, & Family Systems: Assessments, Theory & Intervention. (3) CIP:
Spring Semester (9 hours)
PSYC 5080 - Professional Issues & Ethics For Pre-K-12 School Counselors (3) CIP:
PSYC 5136 - Abnormal Psychology (3) CIP:
PSYC 6590 - Tests and Measures (3) CIP:
Summer Semester (6 hours)
PSYC 5190 - Group Counseling and Guidance (3) CIP:
PSYC 5530 - Psychometrics (3) CIP:
Year Two

Fall Semester (9 hours)
PSYC 6360 - Pre-practicum Field Experience For Pre-K-12 (3) CIP:
PSYC 7535 - Consultation and Program Evaluation (3) CIP:
PSYC 5010 - Foundations of Counseling 3 CIP:
PSYC 5120 - Techniques of Counseling and Interviewing (3) CIP:
Spring Semester (9 hours)
PSYC 5170 - Counseling Theory (3) CIP:
PSYC 6320 - Practicum in Pre-K-12 School Counseling (3) CIP:
PSYC 6130 - Social Bases of Behavior (3) CIP:
Summer Semester (6 hours)
PSYC 5270 - Vocational Theory and Testing (3) CIP:
PSYC 5630 - Child & Adolescent Development (3) CIP:
Year Three

Fall Semester (6 hours)
PSYC 6405 - Internship: Elementary School Counseling (3) CIP:
PSYC 5580 - Multicultural Counseling (3) CIP:
Spring Semester (6 hours)
PSYC 6406 - Internship: Secondary School Counseling (3) CIP:
PSYC 6370 - Interest, Aptitude & Achievement Testing (3) CIP:

Non-Degree-Seeking Requirements for Students Taking Courses Toward Licensure

Students who are taking classes in the Professional School Counseling program with the goal of seeking licensure, rather than taking courses to complete a Master’s degree, take the following courses: PSYC 6360 (not required for students who already have a teaching license), PSYC 6405, PSYC 5090, PSYC 5190, PSYC 5080, PSYC 6406, PSYC 6320, and PSYC 6370.