The St. Thomas University Guidance and Counseling Program is a learning community where the life of the mind and heart is intensely lived, where learners may imagine themselves and grow as human beings so that they may go forward to work within school settings where they engage all students and families in an effective, equitable and caring manner. This is not state approved program but offers all coursework required for Florida State Certification as a Guidance Counselor.
The M.S. in Guidance and Counseling program was designed to prepare students for counseling positions in public and private elementary, middle, and secondary schools. The curriculum combines courses in theory, practice, and specific areas of specialization. Graduate students are invited to become an integral part of a diverse, learning community committed to life-long learning and counselor/education leadership. The program faculty encourage opportunities for professionalization including collaborative research, presentations and university intellectual life offerings.
Students who do not have the Florida Teacher Certification may obtain certification in guidance and counseling by completing the program and meeting the additional requirements of the State of Florida Department of Education. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Department of Education in order to determine additional coursework and testing requirements. (Professional Preparation, Florida State Board of Education Rule (6A-4.006(2)). It is advisable to fulfill these requirements prior to admissions into the Graduate degree seeking Guidance and Counseling Program.
Interested persons are strongly encouraged to have transcripts evaluated by the Florida State Department of Education before making formal application to the Guidance and Counseling program. Undergraduate courses and testing requirements can be clarified before pursuing the mater’s degree.
Forty-five (45) semester hour credits are required for the M.S. in Guidance and Counseling program. The courses in the curriculum have been approved by the State of Florida Department of Education. Certification is an individual responsibility; therefore all students are advised to contact the Department of Education Certification Office for specific information prior to enrollment in the Program.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the requirements listed for all counseling programs, it is recommended that, prior to entering the program, students have:
1. Basic Florida Teaching Certification on the early childhood, elementary, middle school, or secondary level.
2. One or more years teaching experience.
3. Professional writing proficiency.
Course Requirements
Foundation Courses (24 credits)
| EDU |
503 |
Applied Research Methods
|
3 |
| EDU |
660 |
Psychology of Learning and Personality Theory |
3 |
| CPS |
733 |
Introduction to Counseling |
3 |
| CPS |
735 |
Group Therapy |
3 |
| CPS |
736 |
Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling |
3 |
| CPS |
745 |
Abnormal Psychology |
3 |
| CPS |
749 |
Intermediate Counseling |
3 |
| CPS |
750 |
Introduction to Community Consultation |
3 |
Specalization Courses (18 credits)
| EDU |
662 |
Principles and Procedures of Psychologiacal testing |
3 |
| EDU |
663 |
Occupational and Ethical Issues in Counseling |
3 |
| EDU |
664 |
Principles,Phi, & Org. of Guidance & Counseling |
3 |
| EDU |
665 |
Org. & Development of School Guidance Programs |
3 |
| EDU |
667 |
Counseling Special and Diverse Populations |
3 |
| EDU |
669 |
Supervised Counseling Practices |
3 |
Electives (3 credits) chosen from:
| EDU |
720 |
Play Therapy in Counseling |
|
| EDU |
797 |
Guidance and Counseling of Gifted Students |
|
| CPS |
734 |
Theraputic Issues of Infancy and Childhood |
|
| CPS |
737 |
Theraputic Issues of Adolescence |
|
| CPS |
740 |
Introduction to Family Therapy and Evaluation |
|
| CPS |
744 |
Substance Abuse and the Family |
|
| CPS |
746 |
Human Sexuality Counseling |
|
| CPS |
760 |
Multicultural Counseling |
|
THE FACULTY
Experienced full-time faculty members with degrees in counseling and counselor education teach courses in the program. Adjunct faculty members currently working as practitioners in the schools and in other community settings add expertise and diversity to the curriculum. The faculty, committed to academic excellence and community service, believe students should: strive for personal and professional growth, become advocates for their clients and for the counseling profession, and maintain high professional and ethical standards. Counseling faculties have diverse research and practice interests and support the personal and intellectual growth of Guidance Counseling Candidates.
For more inforamtion, please contact the office for Social Sciences and Counseling at (305) 628-6568.
Download a copy of the Comprehensive Exam Application: http://www.stu.edu/IMG/pdf/applications/APPLICATIONFORMforCOMPS-2007.pdf