The Educational Specialist degree in counselor education leads to advanced certification for school counselors. Successful completion of the program results in eligibility to be recommended for Class AA (specialist-level) certification as a school counselor.
Admissions
In addition to the minimum Graduate School admission requirements, to be considered for regular admission an applicant requires:
- A master’s degree in school counseling from an accredited institution
- Valid master's level certification in School Counseling
- At least two full years of full-time acceptable professional educational work experience in a P-12 school system.
- Three recommendations - An applicant to a College of Education program that leads to professional certification must submit references from current and former professors and/or supervisory personnel knowledgeable of the applicant's academic and professional capabilities.
The admission deadlines for each academic semester are as follows:
- Fall – February 15th
- Spring – October 15th
- Summer – February 15th
Applicants can expect a response on their application materials within one month after the deadline.
Faculty reserve the right to revisit the application pool after final decisions in the event spots remain available, although applicants who submit their materials after the deadline should expect their applications to be denied admission or requested to reviewed in the subsequent review period.
Applicants must also meet the fingerprinting requirement for background clearance.
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Curricular Requirements
A minimum of 30 hours of appropriate work beyond the MA degree in Counselor Education (School Counseling) and the completion of a comprehensive portfolio are required for the educational specialist degree.
This course listing applies to candidates having appropriate prior certification who begin this program on June 1, 2019, and thereafter. Candidates must present a GPA of at least 3.50 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C. At least 15 semester hours of the 30 semester hour total must be at the 600-level. All requirements must be completed during the 6 years preceding the date on which the degree is to be awarded.
Please note: Courses taken for the prerequisite Class A certification and credits over six years old cannot be counted toward this degree.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations of Professional Studies: | ||
| BCE 626 | Readings | 3 |
| Educational Research (Choose one of the following): | 3 | |
| Non-Dissertn Research (recommended) | ||
| Intro Educatn Research | ||
| Statistical Methods In Educ | ||
| Survey of Educational Research | ||
| Eval I:Theory & Practice | ||
| Instructional Support Area: | ||
| BCE 615 | Field Exper Counselor Ed (Required) | 6 |
| BCE 633 | Advanced Seminar (Multicultural Approaches to Counseling) * | 3 |
| BCE 633 | Advanced Seminar (Dev Guidance - Past, Present, Future) | 3 |
| BCE 653 | Intro Play Therapy | 3 |
| SPE 506 | Working W/Families | 3 |
| Select SIX hours from coursework below: | 6 | |
| Adv Theory Counseling | ||
| Couns Stratg Adult-Child | ||
| Substance Abuse Counseling | ||
| Psychopathology | ||
| Additional Requirements: | 0-3 | |
| Intro Exc Childr/Youth (Required ONLY IF a survey of special education course was not completed previously.) | ||
| Total Hours | 30-33 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| * | State-approved diversity course |
Transfer Credit
Graduate School information about Transfer Credit.
Comprehensive Exams
EDS students are required to the create a comprehensive portfolio to serve as a final exam of the school counselor's ability to apply knowledge, design a comprehensive school counseling program and be a reflective practitioner.
Graduate School information on Comprehensive Exams.
Fieldwork/Practicum/Internship Requirements
Students in the EDS program are required to complete 100-hour fieldwork experience. This may be done in an existing placement or school counselors may look for a placement in their local school system.
Students enrolled in College of Education courses that require a clinical placement should obtain professional liability insurance. Professional liability insurance may be purchased through an independent insurer or is available to students who are members of the Student Alabama Education Association (SAEA).
Time Limit for Degree Completion
All requirements must be completed during the 6 years preceding the date on which the degree is to be awarded.
Graduate School information on Time Limits.
Additional Academic Requirements
Electronic Learning Management System Requirement
A designated, electronic learning management system is required of all students in programs leading to professional educator certification.
Academic Misconduct Information
Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
Students inactive for one calendar year without communication between the student and department will be considered withdrawn. Leave of absence can be requested through the student's advisor.
Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.
Academic Grievances Information
Student Complaint Procedures
Step 1. (optional) Student raises the issue of concern with the faculty member involved and tries to resolve the concern to the satisfaction of both parties. If the student is not comfortable with taking this first step, the student may proceed to Step 2.
Step 2. If the first Step is taken, and no resolution is found, the student may file a formal complaint or grievance with the Department Head and offer any documentation in support of the grievance. As indicated above, the student may also start the grievance process with a formal complaint to the Department Head. Once in receipt of the complaint, the Department Head is expected to work with the two parties to find a resolution to the mutual satisfaction of the parties. The Department Head is also expected to keep a documented record of the effort and to forward all documentation, as it pertains to the complaint, to the Senior Associate Dean if the complaint remains unresolved. Step 2 should take no longer than two weeks.
Step 3. Should the problem remain unresolved, the complaint (and all the accumulated documentation) is forwarded to the Senior Associate Dean to come under University grievance policies as outlined in the University’s Faculty Handbook. The Senior Associate Dean then investigates the grievance, surveys the documentation pertaining to the case and provides a summary and a recommendation to the Dean. The Dean then renders a final decision. This final Step should not take any longer than two weeks.
Step 4. If the student is not satisfied with the decision offered by the Dean, the student may appeal to the Office of Academic Affairs.
Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.
Grades and Academic Standing
Candidates must present a GPA of at least 3.50 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C.
Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines
Information on Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation
Information on the Application for Graduation.
Certification
To be awarded Alabama Class AA School Counselor certification, students must:
- maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 on all courses with no grade below a C
- receive a passing score on a comprehensive assessment documenting mastery of the curriculum
- hold valid, prerequisite Alabama Class A School Counselor certification
- complete an application for certification through the Alabama State Department of Education
Students must complete the proper application form for Alabama certification. Forms are available online through the Alabama State Department of Education. Applications should be submitted to Student Services in 104 Carmichael Hall during the last semester of the program. A student who does not apply for professional certification within 60 months after completing the state-approved program will be required to meet the current program. Students who plan to seek employment in other states must secure the proper professional licensure application forms from those states' departments of education.
According to Alabama regulations, individuals admitted to a Class AA program based on a master’s level professional educator certificate from another state must earn the prerequisite Alabama certification before applying for Alabama Class AA (specialist-level) certification.
The associate dean for student services in the College of Education has been designated the teacher certification officer for the University. Students who need information about or assistance with certification should consult the associate dean for student services.