The School Counseling Specialty prepares students to pursue certification as elementary or secondary School Counselors. The School Counseling Specialty also fulfills the educational requirements for licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. In addition to the common curriculum, students following the School Counseling Specialty will also need to complete two of the three courses below plus one additional class from the list of electives for a total of 63 credit hours. A sample advising sheet and degree timeline are provided for reference, however, enrolled students work with faculty advisors to plan and monitor progress towards degree completion.
Background Checks for Students pursuing School Counselor Certification
- Pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC), §22.083, individuals must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as a school counselor
- Pursuant to the TEC, §22.0835, students must undergo a criminal history background check prior to starting their school counseling internships.
- Individuals previously charged with a crime who have questions about eligibility for a Texas educator certificate can obtain a criminal history evaluation from the Texas Education Agency.
Filing a Grievance
The SMU Program in Counseling has outlined policies for students to follow in terms of resolving concerns. These are found in the Counseling Program Student Handbook. If the student or stakeholder is not satisfied with the complaint process or outcome, the stakeholder may file a complaint against the Program with the Texas Education Agency.
School Counseling Classes
HDCN 6308 Counseling in Elementary School
or
HDCN 6309 Counseling in Secondary School