School Counseling Licensing
The school counseling specialization has three options: track I, track II, and licensure only.
Track I
The program consists of 77 credits of study leading to an M.A. or M.S. in education: school counseling specialization. The program is for individuals with two years’ teaching experience. Upon completion of the program, students are recommended for the Initial School Counselor License.
After graduation, the Continuing License requires experience as a school counselor, and completion of a portfolio documenting professional development as defined by OAR 584-070-0090.
Track II
Track II is designed for students who cannot document two years of successful experience as a licensed school teacher. The program consists of 83 credits of study leading to the approved M.A./M.S. in counseling in education: school counseling specialization. Since track II is designed for individuals who cannot document two years’ teaching experience, TSPC requires a 6-credit, 200-clock-hour teaching requirement as part of their program.
Licensure only
Students enrolled in the licensure only option must be graduates from an accredited master’s program in counseling, psychology, or social work that required a clinical practicum focused on individual and group counseling skills. Graduate degrees in teaching or education are not accepted. The program is designed to meet the requirements for the Initial School Counselor License approved by TSPC. Students must complete 33 credits in the school counseling core to be eligible for the Initial School Counselor license. Continuing License requires experience as a school counselor and documentation of professional development as defined by OAR 584-070-0090.
All students in the licensure only option must take the school counseling specialization core courses. The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission requires school counselors to have two years’ experience as a licensed teacher in a public school setting. Individuals in need of the teaching requirement must take the six-credit, 200-clock-hour teaching experience sequence.
All students (track I, track II, and licensure only) are required to:
- Pass one of the required basic skills tests. http://www.pdx.edu/coun/prerequisites
- Pass ORELA Protecting Student and Civil Rights in the Educational Environment test.
- Be fingerprinted and clear Oregon State Police and FBI background checks.
- Complete a school counseling action research or related project and professional portfolio documenting the knowledge, skills, and competencies required by TSPC.
- Complete a 600-clock-hour internship; internship includes placement in an early childhood/elementary and/or in a middle/high school setting.
- Have two years’ teaching experience. Students without two years’ teaching experience must complete a 200-hour teaching experience practicum in a year-long 6-credit course sequence.
- Pass the NES/ORELA School Counselor test to be eligible for licensure.
- After graduation and licensure, verify three years of one-half time or more counseling experience in Oregon public schools or in Oregon private schools accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities as a requirement for Continuing License as a school counselor.
- Develop a professional portfolio as a school counselor with an Initial License as a condition for recommendation for the Continuing License as a school counselor.
Additional information about requirements and specific courses can be obtained from members of the Counselor Education faculty responsible for advising students in the school counseling specialization.