M.A. in School Counseling
Pre-Practicum, Practicum, Oral Examination,
and Licensure
PRE-PRACTICUM
Students are required early in their course of study to be involved in pre-practicum experiences that are related to course assignments. Students will complete a pre-practicum of 75 hours in a school setting so that they may have the opportunity to observe and understand children and adolescents and spend time with individual students. Students will also have opportunities to learn with professional school counselors through interactive programs in the Institute for School Counseling and School Psychology.
PRACTICUM
In most cases, students are considered eligible for the practicum once they have successfully completed all prerequisite courses or when they take such courses concurrently. A candidate’s eligibility for and enrollment in the practicum will be determined by the Director of the School Counseling program based upon:
- A review of the student’s transcript, existing teacher licensure, and professional experience
- Successful performance in required graduate courses; and
- Evidence of passing scores on the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Communication and Literacy Test.
The practicum is two semesters (600 hours) of commitment governed by criteria outlined in the state regulations. Practicum students must be prepared to spend three (3) full days per week at the practicum site(s) during the practicum (two) semesters. With permission from the Director, students may enroll in a two semester 450-hour 5-day-a-week practicum.
ORAL EXAM
The oral exam is required for all students in the School Counseling program. Students may take the exam after completing all course work or concurrent with the last semester of their course work. The objective of the oral exam is to provide a forum to demonstrate how to integrate theory, practice, and research related to the training that the student has received in the School Counseling program.
Oral exams are scheduled during the fall semester (generally October or November) and the spring semester (generally March or April). Oral exams are not given in the summer sessions. The student'soral examination committee will consist of two faculty members. The oral exam itself is a one-hour exam. During the exam, the candidate is expected to integrate the various elements of training and study. The candidate will be expected to call upon information from both course work and internship experience. The procedures for the oral exam will mirror the training that the candidate has received in the program. The exam itself will be conducted in such a way as to maximize opportunity and to exhibit the ability to synthesize and integrate theory, practice, and research.
Oral exams carry the grade of pass, fail, or pass with distinction. The candidate's transcript, however,will only provide the information that the oral exam was completed and the date of the exam. If the candidate fails the oral exam, he/she will be given one additional opportunity to demonstrate competence. Generally, the second exam is given no sooner than the next regularly scheduled oral exam period.
LICENSURE
Assumption College responds to the Massachusetts Department of Education in all matters of educator licensure. Therefore, the College reserves the right to revise the admission criteria and requirements of its graduate program(s) leading to eligibility for support personnel licensure in compliance with the current state regulations. Students seeking licensure as a School Guidance Counselor (PreK-8; 5-12) must meet with an academic advisor to plan an appropriate course of study.