School Counseling Certification (School Service Personnel Type 73)
NLU courses meet the Illinois standards for School Service Personnel (School Counseling) Certification. Earning the certification calls for both coursework and fulfilling additional requirements. Candidates are referred to the website of the Illinois State Board of Education for specific requirements, updates and amendments.
In addition to the College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Admission Requirements, applicants must:
- Have a master’s degree in clinical counseling or in an equivalent clinical program
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Submit the results of the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal
- Submit three letters of recommendation
- Complete an admission interview with a faculty member
- Pass the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP). The results are valid for 10 years. The TAP cannot be taken more than five times.
- Submit a written response to questions provided by the Office of Admissions
Coursework:
- 12 SH OR 22 SH—Additional courses, as determined by an individual evaluation with the Counseling faculty, may be required
- A grade of “B” or better in all coursework is required
- Practicum
- An internship
- Candidates must fulfill coursework for one of two options: Course requirements for candidates who hold a teaching certificate OR Course requirements for candidates who do not hold a teaching certificate
Additional requirements:
- Note: Candidates are eligible for federal financial aid only for courses used for a degree in which the candidate is simultaneously enrolled
- Note: This program is offered jointly through the College of Arts and Sciences and the National College of Education
- Those who hold the Masters of Science in Counseling from NLU must retake HSC 581 and HSC 582 in order to fulfill the internship requirement for this certification
Course Requirements for Candidates Who Hold a Teaching Certificate - 12 SH
Course Requirements for Candidates Who Do Not Hold a Teaching Certificate - 22 SH
| EPS539 | Foundations of Behavioral Support | |
| EPS509 | Structure and Organization of the Educational System for School Counselors | |
| LAP506 | Advanced Human Development | |
| SPE500 | Introduction to Exceptional Children and Adolescents/Special Education | |
| HSC534 | School Counseling: Theory, Issues and Practice | |
| HSC533 | Counseling Practicum | |
| HSC581 | Internship I | |
| HSC582 | Internship II | |