Offering Campuses
Argosy University, Sarasota*; Argosy University, Tampa
Note:
Campuses with an asterisk ( * ) are currently not accepting new students effective July 2, 2018. If you are interested in an Argosy University program of study at another location or online, please call (855) 758-5664.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts (MA) in School Counseling degree program is designed to prepare individuals to serve as school counselors. The program is designed for candidates who have already completed a bachelor’s degree program from a regionally accredited institution and seeking school counseling credentialing. Based on state requirements, students may be required to complete additional experiences or coursework.
Note: The MA in School Counseling degree program leads to the Florida Department of Education Florida Teacher Certificate for Guidance Counseling upon completion of all state and program requirements, including passage of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) for guidance counseling. This program is approved by the Florida Department of Education and only meets the certification requirements for the State of Florida. Students, who wish to work in a State other than Florida, are responsible for investigating the other states’ criteria regarding reciprocity of the Florida School Counseling Certification.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or an appropriately certified foreign institution
- A grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) during the last two years of undergraduate work and any subsequent study
- Demonstrate mastery of General Knowledge by any one of the following:
- Achievement of a passing score on the Florida General Knowledge Test no more than 10 years prior to the date of application
- A valid standard teaching certificate issued by a US state or territory,
- A valid certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence, or
- Completion of two (2) semesters of full-time college teaching experience,
- Effective for tests administered on or after July 1, 2015, achievement of passing scores on test sections of the GRE revised General Test
- GRE Analytical Writing combined score of 4 out of 6 acceptable for GK Mathematics
- GRE Quantitative Reasoning scaled score of 147 acceptable for GK Mathematics
- GRE Verbal Reasoning scaled score of 151 acceptable for both GK English Language Skills and GK Reading
- A minimum score on an Argosy University pre-approved English language proficiency test is required for all applicants whose native language is not English or who have not graduated from an institution at which English is the language of instruction as specified in Section Five, Admission Policies, English Language Proficiency Policy .
- A minimum of 3 credits of ESL/ESOL coursework*
- Evidence of a criminal background or fingerprint check
- Submission of a written goal statement
- Program interview with School Counseling Program Faculty and recommendation for admittance
- Submission of all required paperwork (e.g. transcripts, application forms, etc.)
- Departmental recommendation by the program chair for admittance based on a review of all admission materials
- All applications for admission must be submitted to the Admissions Department. An admissions representative is available to help interested applicants complete the following required documentation:
- Completed Application for Admission Form
- Personal/professional goal statement with a self-appraisal of qualifications for the profession
- Current résumé
- Three letters of recommendation (Two from a source familiar with student’s academic abilities and one from a current school administrator)
- Official transcripts from all postsecondary schools attended
Note
* If a student does not have an ESOL endorsement and coursework in the teaching of reading and math, the student must take and pass the following additional prerequisite courses in areas of deficiency within 4 terms of matriculation into the program:
Graduation Requirements
A student is eligible for graduation from the MA in School Counseling degree program when the following requirements are met:
- Satisfactory completion of all requirements in the program of study (51 credit hours) that includes:
- 39 credit hours of core courses
- 3 credit hours of electives
- 3 credit hours of practicum
- 6 credit hours of internship
- A grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a scale of 4.0), and a grade of “B-” or better in all required courses and not on academic probation or in process of SPDC or SCC referral
- Passage of all state required certification exams, including the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) for guidance counseling*
- Completion of all requirements within five years of matriculation in program
- Completed Petition to Graduate Form submitted to campus administration
Note
*The MA in School Counseling degree will not be awarded until all state exams are passed.
Florida School Counselor Certification Requirements
Graduation from the MA in School Counseling degree program does not guarantee certification. To qualify for certification, the following conditions must be met:
- Successful completion of all program requirements, including the and Dispositional Assessment
- Passage of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) for guidance counseling
Note
The MA in School Counseling degree program leads to the Florida Department of Education Florida Teacher Certificate for Guidance Counseling. All other programs offered through the College of Education at Argosy University, Sarasota and Argosy University, Tampa DO NOT lead to teacher or administrator certification, licensure, or endorsement in any other State in the United States.
Program Requirements
Students enrolled in the MA in School Counseling degree program are required to successfully complete 51 credit hours distributed as follows: core course requirements, 39 credit hours; elective requirements, 3 credit hours; practicum requirements, 3 credit hours; and internship requirements, 6 credit hours.
