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Master of Arts in Counseling: School Counseling Cognate

The CACREP accredited Master of Arts in Counseling degree consists of a minimum of sixty (60) semester hours of course work designed to prepare professionals to counsel in a variety of settings. Courses promote the acquisition of the knowledge and skill development in the eight core areas listed in the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). A limited number of students are admitted each year and placement is competitive.

  • Department Name: Department of Counselor Education
  • Official Degree Name: Master of Arts in Counseling: School Counseling Cognate
  • Degree Type: Master of Arts

School Counseling Cognate

School Counseling Cognate Overview

The School Counseling cognate is prepares professionals to work with students ranging from kindergarten to high school to promote the academic, career, and personal/social development of students.

This cognate area focuses on the design and implementation of comprehensive school guidance and counseling programs that include individual and group counseling, classroom guidance, and consultation within the school setting.

Graduates of the School Counseling cognate may choose to work in both private and public school systems at the elementary, middle, and high school level.

For Idaho Certification as a School Counselor, graduates must complete 700 clock hours of field experience (600 need to be in a K-12 setting). Completion of the School Counseling cognate meets Idaho school counseling certification requirements.

Degree Requirements and Advising Resources

Program Overview

In addition to a minimum of four elective credits, school cognate students typically enroll in classes based on the following course sequence:

Year 1: FALL (9 credits)

  • COUN 502 Counseling Theories (3 credits)
  • COUN 506 Lifespan Development (3 credits)
  • COUN 533 Introduction to School Counseling (3 credits)

Year 1: SPRING (9 credits)

  • COUN 505 Counseling Skills (3 credits)
  • COUN 509 Culturally Aware Counseling (3 credits)
  • COUN 550 Diagnosis, Assessment, & Treatment Planning (3 credits)

YEAR 1: SUMMER (5 credits)

  • COUN 501 Foundations and Ethics in Counseling (3 credits)
  • COUN 535 Classroom Management and Counseling Students with Exceptional Needs (2 credits)

YEAR 2: FALL or SPRING (3 credits)

COUN 514 Counseling Practicum I (includes minimum 100 clinical hours) (3 credits)

YEAR 2: FALL (6 credits)

  • COUN 513 Group Counseling (3 credits)
  • COUN 530 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention (2 credits)
  • COUN 549 Motivational Interviewing (1 credit)

YEAR 2: SPRING (6 credits)

  • COUN 512 Research and Program Evaluation (3 credits)
  • COUN 534 Counseling Children and Adolescents (3 credits)

YEAR 2: SUMMER (4 credits)

  • COUN 504 Assessment and Testing in Counseling (3 credits)
  • COUN 551 Psychopharmacology (1 credit)

YEAR 3: FALL (7 credits)

  • COUN 526 Internship in Counseling I (includes minimum 350 clinical hours) (3 credits)
  • COUN 507 Career Development and Vocational Counseling (3 credits)
  • COUN 568 Seminar: Professional Counseling (1 credit)

YEAR 3: SPRING (6 credits)

  • COUN 529 Applied Evaluation of Counseling Practice (1 credit)
  • COUN 528 Internship in Counseling II (includes minimum 350 clinical hours) (3 credits)
  • COUN 567 Clinical Supervision Principles and Practice (1 credit)
  • COUN 690 Master’s Comprehensive Examination (1 credit)

Costs and Scholarships

Boise State provides an affordable, quality education to improve your future. Scholarship opportunities are available for residents and nonresidents, making it even more affordable to attain a quality education.

The College of Education also offers a range of scholarship opportunities. 

The Cost and Value of a Boise State Graduate Education

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