The Education Specialist degree (Ed.S.) option in Leadership in Counseling requires a minimum of thirty-six (36) credits in counseling and administration coursework. The program is designed to meet the requirements for certification by the New Hampshire State Department of Education for Guidance and Counseling Director. Certification has not yet been approved by the New Hampshire State department of Education. Graduate students interested in New Hampshire certification must discuss this option with the faculty advisor prior to starting the program.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the program must possess a master’s degree in counseling and hold certification as a school counselor. The applicant must also have completed a minimum of three years of paid service with progressively responsible experience in the field of school guidance and counseling, with recent leadership experience.
Course Credits
The option in Leadership and Counseling requires a minimum of 36 credits. However, if prerequisites listed below have not been met prior to admission to the program, the total number of credits may exceed the minimum of 36 credits.
Prerequisites
The following three courses, or their equivalents, must be completed before the required courses can be taken:
- EDUC 919 Counseling Practicum: Professional and Ethical Orientation
- EDUC 932 Society & Culture: Contemporary Issues in Counseling
- EDUC 933 Developmental Models of Comprehensive School Guidance
Required Courses: 24 Credits
- EDUC 934 Current Issues in Counseling (This course will be developed. It will focus on current issues in counseling that administrators encounter. This is the final course with a final paper.)
- EDUC 964 Human Resources in Education
- EDUC 967 School Law
- EDUC 972 Introduction to Educational Evaluation
- EDUC 973 Policy, Politics, and Planning in Education
- EDUC 977 Leadership: The District Level
- EDUC 974 Internship. Ed.S. students in the Leadership in Counseling Option will have specific requirements associated with their certification requirements incorporated into their internship. The internship will be conducted at the district office level or at the school level with a practicing Director of Counseling.
Elective Course: 8 Credits (approval of advisor)
If the admitted student has met the prerequisites stated above, she/he must select at least two electives – 8 graduate credits that the advisor for the program has approved.
If the student needs to complete prerequisites up to two of the prerequisite courses can be used as the elective course consistent with Graduate School policies.
Other acceptable electives include courses in counseling, administration (e.g., EDUC 968 Collective Bargaining), and special education (e.g., EDUC 951 Special Education Law).
