Elementary and Secondary School Counseling

Master of Education

This program is approved by the State of Delaware, and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).  It contributes to eligibility for Delaware certification as a school counselor. Program competencies are based on the School Counselor Competencies established by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

THIS IS A DELAWARE LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION PROGRAM WITH CONTENT KNOWLEDGE AND PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS. Students taking courses to satisfy certification requirements are personally responsible for verifying with the Delaware Department of Education (or the appropriate licensure/certification authority in another state) that such course work is applicable and acceptable. Students are also responsible for meeting all state-mandated testing requirements and for applying for credentials. This program has also been reviewed and approved for operation and licensure/certification in the state of New Jersey. Students seeking licensure in New Jersey are required to complete an additional six credits for a total of 57 credits per New Jersey Department of Education regulations. Wilmington University has not made determinations for licensure in states outside of Delaware and New Jersey.  For state-by-state contact information for inquiring about individual state licensure requirements, please visit NC-SARA's Professional Licensure Directory.

Content and Performance Assessment Requirements

Program Purpose

The Master of Education in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling program prepares school counselor candidates to address the academic, career, and social/emotional, developmental needs of all students in the K-12 school setting. This graduate program is aligned with the philosophy and vision of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model, the ASCA Standards for School Counselor Preparation Programs, the ASCA School Counselor Competencies, and the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. These standards emphasize training in the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program promoting leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and systemic change to enhance student achievement and success.

Content and Performance Assessment Requirements

The Masters in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling is a Delaware state-approved degree program which contributes to eligibility for licensure/certification as an educator in Delaware public schools. As such, all candidates must meet the content and performance assessment requirements described in DE Administrative Code.

By regulation, “Where a content readiness exam is applicable and available in area, subject, or category of specialization sought, the Candidate shall achieve a passing score on an examination as established by the Professional Standards Board, in consultation with the Department and with concurrence of the State Board.”

“Where a performance assessment is applicable and available in an area appropriate to the Program in which a Candidate is enrolled, the Candidate shall achieve a passing score as a requirement to Exit the Program. The performance assessment may not be scored by any employees of the Educator Preparation Program or Unit, and shall be scored by Certified Reviewers.”

The instrument selected by Wilmington University as a required exit assessment for the M.Ed. in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling is either ETS Praxis II exam #5421, Professional School Counselor with a minimum acceptable score of 156, or ETS Praxis II exam #5422, School Counselor, with a minimum acceptable score of 159.

Passing the Praxis II: School Counselor test is a graduation requirement for all students in the Masters in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling certification program even if the student’s respective state does not require the test.

Please note that state-mandated licensure/certification exams and/or minimum score requirements are subject to change by the Delaware Department of Education or the New Jersey Department of Education.  Any changes mandated by either Departments of Education will be implemented as required by state regulation.

Outcomes Assessment

The assessment of outcomes involves multiple measures throughout the program. Grades on assignments and for courses are the first level of assessment. Course goals, learning outcomes, assignments, and assessments are designed to address program competencies as well as graduation competencies. Other measures may include observation of candidate performance in authentic or simulated settings, surveys, standardized tests, and performance assessments.

Counselor Dispositions and Skills

Counselor dispositions and skills are assessed throughout the program to ensure candidates are prepared to effectively  work with children and youth in the school setting.  MEC instructors assess candidates based on five specific areas: academic performance, intrapersonal factors, interpersonal relationships, and professional behavior.  This comprehensive evaluation process enables candidates to receive mentoring and coaching to foster growth necessary for success as a school counselor. See full description and details of the disposition and skills evaluation process in the MEC Program Handbook.

Program Competencies

Program competencies, the ASCA Professional Standards and Competencies and the ASCA Standards for School Counselor Preparation Programs (ASCA, 2019), are implemented and assessed throughout the program. Both sets of ASCA standards and competencies outline the mindsets, behaviors, and skills school counselors need to meet the demands of the school counseling profession. The MEC program implements and assesses ASCA mindsets and behaviors to ensure aspiring school counselors are equipped in establishing, maintaining, and enhancing school counseling programs that address academic achievement, career planning, and social/emotional well-being. The standards and competencies can be accessed in their entirety through the ASCA website.

Program Design

The certification track of the Master of Education in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling (MEC) was designed to prepare school counselor candidates to meet the eligibility requirements for school counselor certification in the State of Delaware. The curriculum for the program is designed on a three-tiered system focusing on various competencies and skills.  Level 1 courses provide content knowledge which establish the foundation for counseling skill development in Level 2 courses. Levels 1 and 2 provide the necessary competencies and skills to move to the capstone course and clinical experience at Level 3. Candidates seeking Delaware state certification in school counseling are required to  complete 600 hours of supervised fieldwork and 100 hours of practicum work during clinical cohort meetings to satisfy Delaware certification requirements.  See the program manual  for specific clinical requirements.The school counselor certification process, application process, and state’s licensure requirements are the responsibility of the counselor candidate and are between the applicant and the Delaware Department of Education. Counselor candidates seeking certification in another state must contact their state department of education for application procedures and eligibility. This is the responsibility of the counselor candidate.

Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Completion of the MEC degree includes successful completion of the courses within Levels 1 and 2, the Capstone course, Praxis II (test code 5421 or 5422), two internships, and two seminars. Level 1 courses must be completed prior to Level 2; Level 2 courses must be completed prior to Level 3 and within Level 3, the Capstone course must be completed prior to the internships. Twenty-one (21) semester credits in counseling theories, human behavior, college and career readiness, school counseling ethics, measurement and accountability, consultation, and working with special needs populations are required in Level 1. The minimum passing grade of a C or higher is expected for each Level 1 course; however, a candidate must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to gain access to Level 2 courses. Twelve (12) semester credits in individual counseling, family counseling, and group counseling strategies and techniques are required in Level 2. The minimum passing grade of a B or higher is expected for all Level 2 courses. A Capstone course worth six (6) credits is required before candidates move into the clinical portion of the program. Passing the Praxis II: Professional School Counselor (test code 5421) or Praxis II: School Counselor (test code 5422) is required prior to the completion of the first internship. Passing the Praxis II: School Counselor test is a graduation requirement for all students in the Masters in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling certification program even if the student’s respective state does not require the test.

Twelve (12) semester credits of internships and seminars are required to fulfill the clinical portion of the program. The minimum passing grade of a B or higher is required for the Capstone course and all Level 3 clinical courses. All degree-seeking candidates in the MEC program are required to demonstrate graduation and program competencies by engaging in a prescribed variety of related counseling activities.

Course Requirements

Candidates must complete 11 academic courses (13 courses for New Jersey students seeking NJ certification) below in appropriate sequence to meet prerequisite requirements as well as required supervised certification internships and seminars:

Level 1 Coursework

MED 6102 E-Folio

MEC 6400 Introduction to School Counseling & Theories

MEC 6402 Human Behavior and Child Development

MEC 6607 Ethical Issues in School Counseling

MEC 7213 College & Career Readiness K-12

MEC 7502 The Counselor as Consultant

MEC 7503 Special Education Law and the School Counselor's Role

MEC 7701 Testing, Measurements, and Research in School Counseling

Level 2 Coursework

MEC 7202 Group Counseling

MEC 7500 Individual Counseling Skills and Strategies

MEC 7501 Family Counseling

Level 3 Coursework and Clinical Experiences

MEC 6511 Principles & Practices of a School Counseling Program (Capstone course)

Fall Internship

Fall Internship

MEC 8004 Elementary School Counseling Fall Internship

OR

MEC 8005 Secondary School Counseling Fall Internship

AND

MEC 8015 Mental Health Seminar

Spring Internship

Spring Internship

MEC 8006 Elementary School Counseling Spring Internship

OR

MEC 8007 Secondary School Counseling Spring Internship

AND

MEC 8017 School Counselor Leadership Seminar

NJ Licensure/Certification Courses

Qualifications for Degree

To qualify for the Master of Education degree, a student must successfully complete all 51 credit hours (57 for New Jersey students seeking NJ state certification), maintain a GPA of at least 3.0, and submit a passing score on the PRAXIS II: Professional School Counselor #5421 or PRAXIS II: School Counselor #5422. Passing the Praxis II: School Counselor test is a graduation requirement for all students in the school counselor certification program even if the student’s respective state does not require the test. Praxis scores should be submitted to Wilmington University via ETS. The program must be completed within five years.

The College of Education and Liberal Arts at Wilmington University reserves the right to change requirements to comply with any licensure/certification or program-approval regulations issued by the Professional Standards Board and/or the Delaware or New Jersey State Department of Education and/or the Delaware or New Jersey Legislature.

MEC 6901 Classification of Psychopathology

MEC 7806 Research Methods, Statistics, and Accountability in School Counseling

Qualifications for Degree

To qualify for the Master of Education degree, a student must successfully complete all 51 credit hours, maintain a GPA of at least 3.0, and submit a passing score on the PRAXIS II: Professional School Counselor #5421 or PRAXIS II: School Counselor #5422. Praxis scores should be submitted to Wilmington University via ETS. The program must be completed within five years.

*Students seeking licensure in New Jersey must complete six additional credits for a total of 57 credits per New Jersey Department of Education regulations.

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2024-2025 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2023 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.