About the program
The PSU School Counseling Certificate Program prepares professional school counselors to work effectively and collaboratively in complex systems to promote equity and growth for all students, families, and communities. At PSU, we understand the role of the school counselor as an agent of change, growth, and resilience within the educational system. School counselors are equipped to support students in their academic, personal and social, and career and college goals and eliminate barriers to success. Our program emphasizes trauma-informed practice, equity and social justice practice, developmentally responsive prevention and intervention in schools, and developing strong integration between theory, research, and practice.
Our students learn through hands-on experience in school environments during their year-long, dual internship placement at two schools.
Students are prepared to provide individual and small-group counseling, facilitate core counseling curriculum delivery in classrooms, respond to individual and school-wide crises, collaborate with other school leaders and mental health professionals to support student success, practice and promote equity, advocate for constructive program and school-wide change.
School counseling candidates complete a Participatory Action Research project at one of their internship sites allowing them to put a comprehensive school counseling program into action in the field prior to graduation. They also complete a Professional Practice Portfolio (eportfolio) demonstrating their accomplishments, professional competence, and expertise developed across their program of study.
Our graduates
Our graduates are employed in public and private elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools; community and public colleges, and as school-based counselors.
Accreditation
The School Counseling program is accredited by the Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).