Counseling: 40-50 credits
The M.Ed. in Counseling Program at Heritage University is designed to prepare practitioners to work as professional counselors in K-12 schools, mental health facilities, or related agencies. Heritage’s mission is to serve diverse, multicultural, and rural populations that have traditionally been educationally isolated. Students represent a variety of ethnic backgrounds and are encouraged to be involved in multicultural experiences throughout the program. During the counseling program, students are encouraged to become engaged in personal counseling/therapy to increase self-insight.
Students who would like to pursue only the Master of Education degree enroll for 40 semester credits, including a yearlong mental health field experience. Students who would like to become school counselors will take an additional 10 credits. Courses emphasize the WACs (Washington OSPI standards for school counseling) for Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certification. The rigorous degree program features relevant research-based courses taught by responsive faculty and offered in a convenient weekend model. Students will be admitted in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: A bachelor’s degree in psychology is preferred. A minimum of four upper-division psychology courses is required.
Program Goals
A Heritage University graduate from the counselor preparation program will have developed the ability to positively impact human relationships with clients in various settings and will be able to:
- Develop, articulate, and share with clients and colleagues a vision focused on personal growth
- Develop and sustain a counseling/guidance program that promotes client growth and assists in the professional growth of colleagues
- Assist in the development and implementation of the counseling mission of the employing organization and help to develop resources that produce a safe, efficient, effective, and growth-producing environment
- Work positively with clients, families, and community members by identifying and responding to diverse community interests and needs through mobilization of community resources
- Promote the success of all clients by acting with integrity and fairness in an ethical manner
- Understand and respond to the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural contexts of the employing organization and larger community
Additional Admissions Requirements for Certification
In addition to the requirements for admission into the counseling program, requirements for candidates interested in pursuing a residency ESA certificate include the following:
Submit a letter explaining experiences relevant to counseling youth and why the candidate wants to become a school counselor.
Maintain a 3.0 grade point average throughout the program.
Earn a B- (2.7) or better in each graduate counseling course.
Interview with and receive a recommendation for admission from a committee consisting of faculty and Heritage University Professional Educational Advisory Board (PEAB) members.
Successfully pass a fingerprint/background check by Washington State Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with application for ESA Counseling Certification and a character and fitness supplement.
The dean and the faculty of the College of Education and Psychology reserve the right to refuse to admit applicants to a counseling program, or recommend a student for a school counseling (ESA) certificate, if, in the discretion of the dean and the faculty, such a recommendation or assignment would be contrary to, or in violation of, WAC 181-79A-155 — Good Moral Character and Personal Fitness.
Credits
CPSY 500 Orientation for M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology Candidates................................. 0
CPSY 501 Issues in Counseling: Legal and Ethical.............................................................. 2
CPSY 530 Principles of Guidance and Counseling............................................................... 2
CPSY 531 Practicum in Guidance and Counseling............................................................... 1
CPSY 538 Group Counseling............................................................................................. 2
CPSY 539 Practicum in Group Counseling.......................................................................... 1
CPSY 542 Developmental Counseling................................................................................. 2
CPSY 543 Practicum in Developmental Counseling.............................................................. 1
CPSY 544 Counseling Theories and Techniques I................................................................ 3
CPSY 545 Practicum in Theories and Techniques I.............................................................. 1
CPSY 546 Counseling Theories in Techniques II.................................................................. 2
CPSY 547 Practicum in Theories and Techniques II............................................................. 1
CPSY 557 Counseling Diverse Populations......................................................................... 2
CPSY 558 Practicum in Counseling Diverse Populations...................................................... 1
CPSY 576 Mental Health and Community Services.............................................................. 2
CPSY 577 Practicum in Mental Health and Community Services........................................... 1
CPSY 578 Career Counseling............................................................................................ 2
CPSY 579 Child Abuse Counseling.................................................................................... 2
CPSY 594 Professional Seminar........................................................................................ 1
PSY 553 Introduction to Research Design......................................................................... 3
PSY 554 Practicum in Research Design........................................................................... 1
PSY 555 Testing and Evaluation...................................................................................... 2
PSY 556 Practicum in Testing and Evaluation................................................................... 1
Mental Health in the Community (MHC) degree candidates must complete 40 credits, which include all the listed courses above and the following:
PSY 571 Mental Health Field Experience....................................................................... 2/2
School Counselor (ESA) degree candidates must complete, in addition to the above courses, the following courses:
ED 568 School Law...................................................................................................... 2
CPSY 580 Seminar in School Counseling......................................................................... 1/1
CPSY 581 School Counseling............................................................................................ 2
CPSY 585 Internship in School Counseling....................................................................... 4/4
TOTAL CREDITS ..................................................................................................................... 50