Academic Programs

About

Our School Counseling Program uniquely integrates in-depth counseling skills with the educational and leadership tools valued in today’s schools. Our program’s primary goal is to train capable, self-reliant students to become caring, effective, and highly skilled school counselors. In addition to thought-provoking classroom instruction, our curriculum provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to gain active, hands-on experience and practice in the field of school counseling.

At Campbellsville University, it is our mission to train human relations experts who understand how to help others in a range of contexts and settings. School counselors, like other mental health professionals, need fundamental knowledge of how systems work and how human relationships can be improved. By integrating academic knowledge with practical application and personal growth, our program is uniquely suited to develop and train counselors who can meet the challenges of contemporary life.

Experiential learning plays a key role in our foundational first-year psychology courses. The first year includes role playing and skills training as well as courses directed at students’ personal development and self-understanding.

Additionally, students may pursue a Master’s of Marriage and Family Therapy and School Counseling (MFT and PPS credential). This combination qualifies graduates to pursue both MFT licensure in California and work in the public school system as a counselor.

This program allows students to combine the Master’s of Marriage and Family Therapy with the Pupil Personnel Services credential by adding 22 units of coursework.

Program Schedule

Our M.A. in Education with an emphasis in School Counseling/PPS is a 48-unit program taken over 18 months and may be designed around a 40-hour work schedule. The program incorporates three internships that each include at least 100 hours of clinical school counselor fieldwork. The online educational administration master’s program is offered as a traditional or option 6 program.

• During the first year, students take one full day of class either on Saturday or a weekday from 8 am to 5 pm and attend a three-hour case conference section held on Monday evening.
• An Introduction to School Counseling course for the first five Tuesday evenings from 5 pm to 8 pm of the first semester.
• During the second year, students take courses on Monday and Wednesday evenings only. Students also attend a three-hour practicum course one evening, twice a month while completing field placement hours.

Campbellsville is both experiential and applied in our educational philosophy. All faculty are licensed, practicing professionals with diverse specializations. This brings a wealth of experience to the classroom that enhances the students’ education and their careers post-graduation.

The online master’s in school counseling from Campbellsville University gives you the knowledge and skills that school guidance counselors need to meet the diverse academic, social, emotional and career needs of students. With a curriculum that is deeply rooted in ethical and Christian values, you will be able to transform the lives of students upon your graduation from the fully online program.

Through the program, you’ll learn how to infuse Christian principles into your practice and how to assist students and their families with navigating systems and finding the resources they need. You’ll explore topics such as substance abuse, group counseling and college readiness. The master’s degree teaches the history, philosophy and modern trends in school counseling and educational systems, as well as the ethical and legal considerations related to school counseling. Additionally, you will develop an understanding of the cultural context of relationships while addressing societal changes, influences and trends.

The master’s degree includes three internships that provide hands-on real-world experience in a supervised school guidance counseling setting using applicable professional resources. Two of the internships consist of 100 hours of clinical fieldwork, and the last internship includes 200 hours of fieldwork.

Our online master’s degree in school counseling was developed by practicing and retired school guidance counselors and administrators. Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Campbellsville’s education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and are approved by the Education Professional Standards Board of Kentucky (EPSB) for teacher education and certification.

Faculty Advisement

Students will be assigned an academic advisor at the beginning of their first semester of enrollment. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor early in the first semester and at least once each semester until completion of their degree and credential application. Students are encouraged to make appointments with other members of the faculty, who will answer questions and provide consultation.

Program Compliance

The Master of Arts in Education, Emphasis in School Counseling program meets the requirements and guidelines of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). In order for Campbellsville University to recommend a student to the State of California and the CCTC for a PPS Credential in School Counseling, the student must have fulfilled the following requirements:

• Passed the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). The CBEST test must be taken in the first semester of the program, if the candidate hasn’t already taken and passed it. A candidate cannot receive a credential if they have not passed the CBEST examination, which is required by the State of California to be a counselor in the public school system.
• Completed Certificate of Clearance from the CCTC
• Completion of all 48 units of required courses with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Completion of 100 hours of practicum experience
• Completion of 600 hours of field experience
• Seven hours of training in Child Abuse Education
• Completion of an exit interview with the School Counseling Department
• Participation in a candidacy review
• Development of a portfolio presented at the candidacy review and department exit interview
• Presentation of a three-hour workshop on a topic specific to School Counseling (This is the professional project required for the master’s degree)
• Intent to Graduate form on file with the Registrar one semester prior to the date when a student expects to meet all graduation requirements
• Payment in full of financial obligations to Campbellsville University and the Counseling Center
• Return of all Library materials
• Completion of an exit interview with the Financial Aid Office (Financial Aid recipients only)
• Completed field experience requirements
• Demonstrated competency in the areas of educational assessment, personal and social counseling, academic and career counseling, program development and coordination, supervision and legal and professional ethics
• Current tuberculosis test that is clear

Academic Proficiency

Any student receiving a grade of C- or below in a course must retake the course, demonstrating sufficient mastery of the course content. Retaking a course may delay program completion and graduation. The student must meet with his or her academic advisor to discuss the impact of repeating a course on program completion. The original grade received in the course, as well as the grade received upon retaking the course, are both averaged into the student’s cumulative grade point average.

Degree Completion Requirements

The degree is posted three times yearly in December, May, and August. All of the following requirements must be met prior to degree posting:

• Completion of all 55 units of required courses with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Completion of credential requirements established by the CCTC, including 7 hours of training in child abuse
• Completion of 100 hours of practicum experience
• Completion of 600 hours of field experience
• Completion of an exit interview with the School Counseling Department
• Participation in a candidacy review
• Development of a portfolio presented at the candidacy review and department exit interview
• Presentation of a three-hour workshop on a topic specific to school counseling. This is the professional project required for the master’s degree
• Intent to Graduate form on file with the Registrar one semester prior to the graduation date when a student expects to meet all graduation requirements
• Payment in full of financial obligations to Campbellsville University and the Counseling Center
• Return of all Library materials
• Completion of an exit interview with the Financial Aid Office (Financial Aid recipients only)

Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Program Goal 1: Counseling Skills/Intervention

Student Learning Outcomes:
1.1 Students use counseling skills/interventions relevant to the field of School Counseling.
1.2 Students engage in collaborative activities with all stakeholders.

Program Goal 2: Legal and Ethical Practice Student Leaning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes:
2.1 Students identify and analyze legal and ethical issues in School Counseling.
2.2 Students use ethical frameworks in decision making in their professional role as school counselors.

Program Goal 3: Cultural Competency

Student Learning Outcomes:
3.1 Students identify and appraise the influence of their own cultural beliefs and biases in work as school counselors.

Program Goal 4: Theory Student Learning Outcome:

Student Learning Outcomes:
4.1 Students summarize and synthesize knowledge of appropriate theories for the development of education plans for students’ success.

Program Goal 5: Research

Student Learning Outcomes:
5.1 Students use relevant research to enhance their practice as school counselors.

Program Goal 6: Professional Behavior

Student Learning Outcomes:
6.1 Students demonstrate professional behavior in all interactions with counselors, peers, faculty, staff, administration and other professionals.
6.2 Students demonstrate self-awareness in the assessment of their own strengths and areas for growth in the practice of school counseling.