M.A. in School Counseling

The School Counseling Programs (full-time and summers only) prepare graduates to be multiculturally competent professional school counselors with the cultural self-awareness, sensitivity, knowledge, and skills essential to becoming effective and ethical practitioners, leaders, and advocates to promote social justice, equity and academic excellence for all deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students in a variety of K-12 educational settings.

The master's degree consists of a minimum of 68 credit hours and requires two academic years to complete, including the summer between the first and second year of study.

A special summers only track (69 credit hours) exists for current professionals who are seeking a career change or additional education credentials.  Preference is given to applicants having prior experience in educational programs serving deaf and hard of hearing people and to those with a degree in education to facilitate certification at the state level.  Federal grant funding is provided to students for most tuition, room, and board during four summer semesters. It is important to note that funding for this special track is dependent on grant award funding from the US Department of Education.

Both programs are accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling-Related Education Programs (CACREP) and are part of Gallaudet's Professional Education Unit which is accredited by the National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). In addition to the Graduate School Requirements, the school counseling and guidance program requires undergraduate or graduate courses in child, adolescent, or human development; abnormal psychology; and one additional course in psychology (nine hours total).

Admissions Procedures and Requirements

Applicants for the M.A. in School Counseling must complete the application procedures and meet the requirements for graduate study at Gallaudet University. Visit the Graduate Admissions web site for more information and a checklist of application requirements. Detailed program information and course descriptions are also available in the Graduate Catalog.

Students applying to the School Counseling Program must initially meet general requirements established by the graduate school:

• evidence of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• preferably a 3.0 average in undergraduate work
• required undergraduate major: Psychology, Social Work or related discipline in the helping or educational professions
• three letters of recommendation - a supervisor, a current/recent college instructor, someone familiar with applicant to give accurate testimony of applicant's character and dispositions fitting to the counseling field, (but not a friend or family member).
• a completed application
• official transcripts of all college work.

Program Specific Requirements

• There are 4 general counseling related essays required by the Department, and 1 essay specific to those applying to the School Counseling Program that is related to the field of school counseling with deaf/hard of hearing student populations.

Required Prior Coursework

• minimum of nine (9) credit hours in Psychology prior to entering the program, including undergraduate courses in:
  • Child Development, Abnormal Psychology or Human Development

Program of Study

Core Program of Study

Students usually take 12-15 credit hours per semester.

Semester I - Fall

GPS 700 Culture and Language Seminar (1)
COU 730 Social and Cultural Diversity Foundations and Multicultural Counseling (4)
COU 712 Orientation to the Profession of School Guidance Counseling (3)
COU 717 Lifespan Development (3)
COU 721 Foundations in Helping Skills I (3)
COU 732 Theories and Approaches in Counseling and Psychotherapy (3)

Semester II - Spring

COU 709 Counseling Deaf People (3)
COU 751 Group Counseling with Deaf Students in Schools (4)
COU 740 Practicum in School Counseling (4)*
EDF 720 Introduction to Research (3)
COU 758 Counseling Deaf Students with Additional Special Needs (3)
COU 716 Psychopharmacology for Counselors (1)

Summer Session

COU 702 Play Therapy (3)
COU 703 Substance Prevention for Children and Youth (3)

Semester III - Fall

COU 715 Family Therapy (3)
COU 734 Lifestyles and Career Development (3)
COU 741 Internship I in School Counseling (4)
COU 737 Organization and Administration of School Guidance Programs (3)
COU 748 Principles of Assessment in Counseling (3)
HSL 707 Audiology and Hearing Technology for Educators and Counseling Professionals (2)

Semester IV - Spring

COU 790 Internship II in School Counseling (12)*

*Each student will be required to take a Gallaudet University American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (GU-ASLPI) and attain a rating of Intermediate before being allowed to enter COU 740: Practicum. A rating of Intermediate Plus must be attained before beginning COU 790: Internship.