A student seeking New York State Certification in school counseling should meet with his or her faculty advisor to plan an appropriate program of study. Because the State revises certification requirements from time to time, each student must obtain current information concerning regulations governing certificates by contacting the Director of Clinical Education and Professional Certifications in the School of Education.

For the program of study culminating with the Master's Degree and with two years of paid experience, permanent certification is granted by the New York State Education Department. Upon completion of the Master's Degree, the student may submit an application for New York State provisional certification to the Office of Clinical Education located at the C.W. Post Campus. This office will submit the application to the New York State Education Department. As noted, this provisional certification can become permanent with two years experience.

The School Counselor program provides the students with an opportunity to develop understanding and competencies appropriate to the student's area of concentration. The student should follow the Plan of Study developed in consultation with his or her academic counselor. Every term the student also consults with an assigned faculty advisor for completion of the study plan and course selection. Each degree candidate as a culminating experience will be required to complete forty hours of practical experience in a field setting (EDU 769C/EDC 669) and 600 hours of internship experience (EDU 783/EDC 683 and EDU 784EDC 684).

Program Requirements
I. Core Courses

II. School Counseling Specialty

III. Culminating Experience Comprehensive Examination (0 credits)

Note: For students admitted in Fall 2002 and afterwards, EDU 751, Fieldwork/ Orientation in Professional School Counseling (3 credits) and EDU 769B, Counseling Practicum (3 credits), has been replaced by EDU 769C/EDC 669, Counseling Practicum (6 credits).

Practicum and Internships
EDU 769C/EDC 669, EDU 783/EDC 683 and EDU 784/EDC 684 provide opportunities to observe and participate in ongoing guidance and counseling activities in schools. These are taken in the latter part of the program and careful attention must be paid to prerequisites (especially in the case of EDU 769C/EDC 669).

Applications must be filed in advance for these three courses. The University Supervisor will not submit a grade until the student completes the required number of hours and his or her permission form is on file.

Practicum and Internship Courses
EDU 769C/EDC 669 Counseling Practicum
EDU 783/EDC 683 Counseling Internship I
EDU 784/EDC 684 Counseling Internship II

Program Planning
In some cases, a student may satisfy requirements for two areas of specialization in order to expand employment opportunities. The student must carefully select electives and plan additional, specially approved internships. Dual emphasis generally requires considerably more than the minimal number of hours and courses required for a single specialization. A secondary specialty should follow completion of the student's original specialization.

When projecting the culminating Plan of Study, the student must select one specialty of record to appear on his or her transcript.

Summer Institutes
The Department of Counseling and Development has offered unique and timely one-week summer institutes and workshops especially designed to assist working professionals and enrolled graduate students in the field of counseling.

Institutes and workshops change every year to reflect current relevant issues in the counseling profession. These 3-credit institutes may also be used for permanent certification for school counselors in New York.

For further information, contact the Department of Counseling and Development at (516) 299-2814/2815.

COUNSELING AND DEVELOPMENT COURSES

EDU 753/EDC 600 Introduction to Professional Counseling
This is the basic introductory course for counseling in schools, colleges, and mental health agencies and explains the role of the professional counselor. The course focuses on the student as a person and as a potential counselor. The changing world of the counselor is also the world of the developing client. Forces contributing to the variable, emerging culture of values, societal norms, and individual choices are examined in relation to the developmental world of young persons and adults and to the practices, philosophies, and principles of the institutions with which counselors are associated.
Every Semester, 3 credits

EDU 754/EDC 601 Intro to Mental Health Counseling  To be taken as the first course in the Mental Health Counseling specialization, within the student’s first 15 semester hours of work. This course is an introduction to preventive education and counseling for mental and emotional health as uniquely available in mental health centers. The course prepares students to work on counseling teams and enrichment programs, to handle referral procedures, community relations and teamwork, and to deal with mental health problems in terms of their etiology and the innovations in the field.
Fall and Spring, 3 credits

EDU 758/EDC 608 Assessment and Intervention Strategies in Mental Health Counseling  This course is a weekly seminar focused on, but not limited to, the following: the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, referral and prevention of disorders; psychological assessment, case conceptualization, psychopathology, utilization of current diagnostic tools, including the DMS-IV; use and limitations of  psychopharmacological medications; guidelines for conducting intake, mental status, biophysical and mental health interviews; and consultation theory and practice.
Prerequisites: EDU 760/EDC 610 and EDU 765/EDC 615
Fall, 3 credits

EDU 760/EDC 610 Behavior Dynamics over the Life Span This course provides for the study of the dynamics of human behavior over the life span. This course covers healthy adjustment versus maladjustment at each stage of life. The major models describing human behavior and the causes of mental illness are described. The classifications of mental illness and adjustment disorders according to the DSM IV are discussed and illustrated.
Every Semester, 3 credits

EDU 763/EDC 613 Diversity and Socio-Cultural Issues in Counseling
Major twenty-first century contributions of sociology and anthropology are examined with a view to understanding the role of socio-cultural factors in human development and behavior. This course also examines the impact of the socio-cultural viewpoint on contemporary concepts of adaptive and maladaptive human behavior and related mental health issues.
Every Semester, 3 credits

EDU 764/EDC 614 Developmental Counseling with Children and Adolescents
This course focuses on understanding the principles and rationale of developmental counseling with children from a multicultural perspective. Students become familiar with the three main functions of the developmental counselor: counseling, consulting, and coordinating. Students are made aware of the kits, games, audiovisual material, and special programs used by the developmental counselor. In addition to an overview of developmental stages and developmental tasks which children face, the course includes exploration and experimentation with various and unique methods used in developmental counseling. Students observe and interact with an individual child from a developmental perspective.
Prerequisite: EDU 753/EDC 600
Fall and Spring, 3 credits

EDU 765/615 Theories of Counseling  This is a basic course in counseling theories and techniques and their application within a multicultural and diverse society. Students gain an understanding of the major theories of counseling and psychotherapy, (e.g., psychoanalytic, existential, person-centered, gestalt, reality, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and family systems, etc.). In addition, the counselor as a person and a professional is explored as well as ethical issues in counseling and therapy. 
Prerequisites or Co-requisites: EDU 753/EDC 600 or EDU 754/EDC 601, and EDU 760/EDC 610
Every Semester, 3 credits

EDU 766/EDC 616 Family Counseling  This course offers a consideration of theories, practices and related activities with couples, parents and/or other related adults and children. Included in the course is a survey of some major trends and problems associated with individual adjustments, adaptations and other reactions within family and social settings.
Prerequisite: EDU 765/EDC 615
Every Semester, 3 credits

EDU 769A/EDC 668 Counseling Pre-Practicum
This is the basic counseling laboratory course designed to provide supervised practical counseling experience from a lifespan and a multicultural perspective that can be applied in the school, agency, or college setting. Students learn the basics in terms of active listening skills and the use of appropriate counseling techniques through role-play and other activities. Students must have three to five actual tape-recorded role playing sessions with another student in the course who will act as the client; the professor may give permission for students to work with a client who is not a member of the class. Interview summaries, detailed analyses, and other relevant counseling experiences are part of the course. Orientation to the role of the professional counselor and ethical concerns are discussed.
Prerequisites: EDU 753/EDC 600, EDU 760/EDC 610, EDU 765/EDC 615
Fall and Spring, 3 credits

EDU 769C/EDC 669 Counseling Practicum
This course is an in-depth counseling laboratory course designed to provide supervised practical counseling experience from a life span and multi-cultural perspective through successful completion of 100 hours up to with: sixty (60) hours of observation, interaction, and supervision at a school or mental health agency site; thirty (30) hours of direct service via individual and group counseling to clients at that site; and ten (10) hours off site with clients who will be audio-taped. The purpose of the 60 hours, which can be interspersed throughout the semester, is to acclimate the practicum students to the environment in which the counseling experience occurs. Interview summaries, detailed analyses, and other relevant counseling experiences are a part of this course. Again, it must be emphasized that Practicum students in 669 must provide forty (40) hours of direct service to clients of which thirty (30) hours take place at a school or agency site and ten (10) hours are provided to non-site clients. With on-site clients, practicum students are to document and describe each individual and group counseling experience, which are to be shared with the site supervisor and reflected in the logs given to the University professor. These clients are supervised by and remain the primary responsibility of the site supervisor. The remaining ten (10) hours with non-site clients are audio-recorded and shared only with the University professor and the other students in EDC 669. Practicum students meet in group seminar with the University professor every week. In addition, the University professor provides an hour of individual or triadic supervision (i.e., professor and two students), the time for which is built into this six (6) credit course. While the professor and the two students are interacting, the other practicum students observe the supervision being given by the professor. After the triadic supervision occurs, the observing students will be asked to offer their comments and suggestions, immediately after the triadic supervision or during the group class. The appropriate roles of the professional counselor, based upon the Ethical Guidelines of the American Counseling Association, are covered. This course is also designed to develop and extend the student’s understanding and competencies begun in 668, Counseling Pre-Practicum. This course must be completed prior to taking EDC 683, Counseling Internship I.
Prerequisite: EDC 668;
Prerequisite or Co-requisite: EDC 687
Fall and Spring, 6 Credits

EDU 770/EDC 670 Educational Tests and Measurements
This course is designed for students in education, psychology, and other behavioral sciences as a first course in assessment and evaluation. Although not required as a prerequisite, previous basic knowledge of elementary statistical concepts is helpful to students.
Every Semester, 3 credits

EDU 775/EDC 675 Career Education
This course is designed to provide an overview of the field of career education, the groundwork of career development, and various applications and possibilities. Emphasis is placed on the student's understanding of current career development theories, consideration and evaluation of resources used in counseling (career, educational, and personal/social), and sources from which these are available. Technological and other trends as they relate to the counselor are reviewed. Multicultural and global perspectives are considered; issues revolving around gender and persons with disabilities are discussed.
Every Semester, 3 credits

EDU 783/EDC 683 Counseling Internship I
This course is designed for students in the latter part of the graduate program, after having taken considerable theory and coursework in the counseling process. The student is required to attend seminar meetings, to prepare weekly logs directed toward observation, insight, and evaluation of activities in the field setting. Related professional readings and development of an action research design are also required. The student is expected to develop a counseling caseload, participate in group work, attend staff meetings and schedule a weekly meeting with the field supervisor for evaluation. A minimum 300 hours in a counseling setting, appropriate to the student's specialization, is required. 
Prerequisites: EDU 764EDC 614 (for School Counseling only) and EDU 769C/EDC 669
Fall and Spring, 3 credits

EDU 784/EDC 684 Counseling Internship II
This is a second semester internship required for counseling students. Course content and time requirements are the same as for EDU 783/EDC 683.
Prerequisites: EDU 783/EDC 683
Fall and Spring, 3 credits

EDU 883/EDC 685 Counseling Internship III  This course consists of supervised experience involving 300 hours in selected school or agency settings. Professional readings and an action research project are required. However, the student at this level is expected to be self-initiating and able to perform both competently and creatively in considerable depth to achieve the objectives of the course at the practitioner level.
Prerequisites: EDU 783 (EDC 683)and EDU  784 (EDC 684)
Spring or Fall, 3 credits

EDU 883A/EDC 686 Counseling Internship IV  This course is a continuation of the advanced internship placement and seminar experience.
Prerequisites: EDU 883/EDC 685
Spring or Fall, 3 credits

EDU 852/EDC 652 Counselor's Approach to Human Sexuality
This course studies human sexuality from its normal manifestations and development to its dysfunctions. The student will be guided to examine his/her own attitudes and values in this area and to learn counseling approaches to problems and questions related to sexuality.
Fall or Spring, 3 credits

EDU 854EDC 654 The Counselor Examines Alcoholism
Alcoholism, as a behavioral psychological problem, is analyzed to enable the counselor to integrate current theories on this condition into his/her work. Approaches to treatment will be evaluated, and various techniques will be studied.
Fall or Spring, 3 credits

EDU 857/EDC 657 Counseling Families of Alcoholics
Theories, practices problems and trends as they relate to counseling the family affected by alcoholism are considered. Sessions will include lectures, films and role playing to explore the kinds of problems present and the different approaches to counseling these families.
Prerequisite: EDU 854/EDC 654
Fall or Spring, 3 credits

EDU 859/EDC 659 Counseling for the College Admission and Selection Process
This is designed to provide systematic training in counseling for the college admission and selection process. Graduate students and those who are already in the field are introduced to concepts and practical skills required for competency in working with diverse populations: the traditionally aged college student applicant, the disadvantaged, the minority student, the gifted, the learning disabled, the student athlete, and the adult. The course consists of lectures, presentations, cooperative and group learning activities, video viewings, class discussions, and "hands-on" type of activities designed to enhance knowledge of the college admission and selection process. College admission personnel and school counselors are invited as guest presenters.
Fall and Spring, 3 credits

EDU 885/EDC 687 Group Approaches: Theories and Practice
This course is designed to help prospective counselors and practicing counselors to understand the dynamics of therapeutic forces within a counseling group, to facilitate changes in their clients' behavior, and to help clients learn to assist themselves. Evaluative techniques and research findings are considered.
Fall, 3 credits

EDU 887/EDC 689 Group Counseling Laboratory
This course entails supervised professional level, practical group counseling experiences and counseling of groups and the analysis/evaluation of group counseling work. Weekly seminars, demonstration groups and tapes, readings and faculty conferences are used. Professional liability insurance, available from ACA and other professional associations, is required.
Prerequisite: EDU 885/EDC 687
Every Semester, 3 credits

EDU 902EDC 702 Research Methods in Counseling
This is a course in the understanding of the use, process, and applications of research findings in counseling. Students will examine recent research studies, explore topics of particular interest to them, and prepare a draft research proposal on an issue of their choosing. EDC 702 is project-based, relevant, and practical.
Every Semester, 3 Credits

EDU 905/EDC 708 Thesis Seminar
This seminar is available only to those matriculated Masters degree candidates electing to develop and write a thesis under the supervision of approved faculty. Registration must be approved by the department chairperson or a designated representative.
Every Semester, 3 credits