Program of Study: School Counseling

School Counseling Handbook

School Counseling centers upon preparing counselors to meet the academic, career, and social/emotional needs of diverse student populations. The School Counseling Track prepares school counselors to fulfill the following roles:

• Serve as advocates, educational leaders, team members, counselors, and consultants to maximize opportunities for every student to succeed academically;
• Develop in students a commitment to achievement and provide conditions that enable students to accomplish their goals;
• Help students recognize their potential and enhance their capacity to make academic and career decisions;
• Serve as leaders and stewards of equity and achievement and be able to remedy institutional and environmental barriers impeding students' progress;
• Provide all students with academic and career advising in order for them to form values, attitudes, and behaviors conducive to their educational and economic success; and,
• Become managers of resources and partnership builders, enlisting the support of parents, agencies, and community members.

School Counseling is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Graduates of the program will have fulfilled the educational requirements for Florida certification as school counselors.

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM

To be admitted to the SOAR Program, applicants need to apply and be admitted to the University of North Florida, the UNF Graduate School, AND to the SOAR Program. Please note that all university applications for the SOAR Program are for SUMMER admission.

For the University: Refer to the requirements for admission to the University. Only Applicants accepted by the Graduate School are considered for admission to the SOAR Program. It is important for applicants to begin the process of application to the University as soon as possible. All required documents should be submitted to the Graduate office prior to the deadline date. This includes GRE or MAT scores (all applicants must take the GRE or MAT).

1. Applicants must have graduated with a GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 hours of their undergraduate study. If their GPA is lower, they must meet the minimum test scores stated below.

2. Applicants must take the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or MAT (Miller Analogies Test).  If the applicant’s GPA is less than 3.0, then they must score a combined minimum of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE or a 410 on the MAT.

3. If applicants take the MAT or score lower than 1000 on the GRE, they must take and pass the General Knowledge test administered by the Florida Department of Education.

For the SOAR Program: Applicants must have an undergraduate degree. A degree in Education is not necessary. Applications, interviews and speeches take place in the Spring, prior to Summer admission. The SOAR program admits candidates to the program each spring for a cohort which begins the following summer semester.

Application Portfolio: Applicants submit an application portfolio which contains three letters of recommendation, a professional goals statement, a written reaction to a journal article, a signed statement of understanding, a school experience contract, and a written reaction to a school scenario. The portfolio is due prior to the scheduled interview days. Applicants who are interested in applying after the due dates, may have accommodations made during the summer to submit a portfolio and have an interview, dependant on admission to the university.

Portfolio information is available at www.unf.edu/coehs/degrees/esr/soar/portfolio.pdf 

Applications for summer term  are due to the Graduate Office prior to May 21, 200198 deadline. Portfolio materials submitted become the property of the SOAR program. Please be certain to keep copies of all your work.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROGRAM

• A cohort model
• A 48-credit master of education degree in Counselor Education
• Eligibility for school counselor certification in Florida
• Skill building in counseling leadership, collaboration, and data-driven decision making
• Field experiences integrated throughout the course work
• Knowledge and understanding of innovative practices in school counseling
• Expertise in using technology applications in school counseling to support students’ growth and development
• Extensive knowledge in delivering comprehensive programs that promote success for all students in the areas of academic, career, and personal/social development.

2007 School Counselor Survey Results (PDF 22 Kb)
2006 School Counselor Survey Results (PDF 61 Kb)
2004 School Focus Group Write-up (PDF 23Kb)

Aid and Scholarship Information

• COEHS Scholarship Information

• State of Florida Aid Programs

• Graduate Student Tuition Waivers