Eastern University offers a Master of Arts degree in School Counseling, training students to become successful school counselors in K-12 school settings. This 48-credit degree program prepares graduates for certification as a school counselor with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Together with a Christian perspective and Christian faculty, our program is distinctive in many important ways.

Students gain a solid foundation in research based counseling skills and theories to function as advocates for the successful academic, social, and emotional development of children and adolescents. Additionally, students can choose to work toward certification in Elementary, Secondary or certification in both areas. Students can also choose their own practicum and internship sites that are available in schools in the surrounding communities.
Finally, our graduate program consists of evening and some on-line courses to accommodate working students. Courses are offered on the St. Davids campus while some are offered at our Philadelphia site.

Certification Only opportunities are available to those holding a Master degree in a related field and for those seeking Dual Certification.              
School Counseling Certification Only

Degree Requirements: Students may choose to attend full-time, part-time or for certification only. Full-time attendance in our graduate school is at least nine credits (3 courses) per semester and part-time is anything less than nine credits. Certification Only students are those that already hold a Masters Degree in a related field and wish to take courses to become state certified as a School Counselor. Only three additional credits are required for Dual Certification in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling.

PA Certification Requirements: In addition to the Eastern University requirements for the M.A. in School Counseling, candidates must also meet the requirements of Pennsylvania Sate Law (Chapter 354) in order to be eligible for certification. Prior to certification, Chapter 354 regulations require that M.A. and Certification Only candidates:

• have either an overall GPA of 3.0 or a GPA of 3.0 in the last 48 credits of graduate level academic work
• completion of 6 college-level credits of both English and Math (must be completed in the first year of graduate study).
• You may take the CLEP exams to receive credit for the 2 Math and 2 English courses
• successful completion of PRAXIS I and II exams (PRAXIS Registration Information)
  
  Note: there are different requirements for applicants that hold or do not hold a valid Pennsylvania Department of Education School Certification (e.g. Teacher Certification). See Chapter 354 link for further details.
  
  Full-time/Part-Time: Completion of the program requires 16 Core Courses, including a one semester (3 credits) practicum course and a one semester (3 credits) Internship experience. Successful completion of the program requires 48 credits.
  
  
  Program of Study for School Counseling

School Counseling Program of Study 
Required course descriptions available here

Programs of Study for Dual Certification in School Counseling and School Psychology

School Counseling Dual Certification F/T

School Counseling Dual Certification P/T

Admission Requirements: To be admitted to the school counseling graduate program, an applicant must submit the following materials (Download materials here):

• A complete application and application fee. (available from graduate admissions).
  GPA 2.8 (3.0 preferred) with particular importance placed on the last two years of the undergraduate record. An applicant with a lower GPA may submit GRE or MAT scores to strengthen the application. Or the applicant may submit passing scores on all three PRAXIS 1 exams to strengthen the application.
•  ALL official transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
• An official transcript showing completion of a bachelors degree in any field from a regionally accredited college or university. If the bachelors degree was awarded outside of the United States, the program of study must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree program.
• For applicants who hold a Pennsylvania Department of Education School Certificate, a copy of the certificate is required
• A current resume.
• Two (2) completed recommendation forms: one professional (ie: work place supervisor)/one educational (ie: College Professor) source. (recommendation form available here).
• Write a 750-1000 word essay/personal statement in which you respond to the following two questions (these questions are NEW, and do not affect prospective students who have already begun the essay using previous guidelines):
  A.) Summarize how your personal characteristics, professional activities and/or personal life experiences have led you to believe you are well suited for the profession of counseling/school counseling/school psychology.
  B.) Identify your personal and professional goals and discuss why you have chosen to apply to Eastern University's Counseling Psychology programs to fulfill those goals. Please include a discussion of your academic record and how it accurately reflects/does not reflect your intellectual and professional abilities.
• A personal interview with the Graduate Student Advisor.
• An on-site writing sample to be completed after the personal interview.
• A completed program of study (upon completion of your file and interview).
• Please note, at least six credits must be taken per semester to qualify for financial aid.

Registration Requirements: the following must be completed prior to registration (you may be accepted into the program without completing these, but you will not be allowed to take classes until they are complete):

• Completion of two prerequisite undergraduate psychology courses (6 credits). You are free to take the CLEP exams to receive credit in the area of Introduction to Psychology.
• If currently an undergraduate student, you must submit a final transcript that indicates the successful completion of your degree.
• Submit a tuition deposit.

Fall 2009 Early Admission Deadline: March 15^th

Fall 2009 Final Application Deadline: July 15^th

Every fall, the Department awards a limited number of Graduate Assistantships. These are highly competitive grants that involve research. Prospective students who are applying for a Graduate Assistantship must have both their entire Application for Admission and Graduate Assistantship application submitted by March 14th. The applications for the Graduate Assistantships will be posted on our website in January.

For further information please contact

Tracy Johnson

610-225-5525

gjohnso3@eastern.edu

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