Program Information ◊ School Certification

School Certification 

School Counseling is one of several specialties that comprise the counseling profession. As a specialty area, school counseling consists of essential functions generally found in the counseling profession as well as services unique to school settings. In addition, school counselors practice at all levels of programs or services to reflect the different needs of diverse student populations.

Student's cognitive, social and emotional functioning and development is to a large extent culturally, socially and contextually based. It is critical that school counselors become familiar with recognizing the numerous ecological, as well as developmental factors that contribute to student's psychological and academic status. The school counselor is an integral part of the school setting and assumes leadership of the school guidance counseling program. Promoting self-understanding of students in relation to their home, school, and community are some of the functions of the school counselor. Moreover, counselors play an important role in helping students to examine their present life situations and to make developmental plans and decisions for their future. Counselors also assist parents, guardians, and teachers in helping students have equal opportunity to reach their educational goals, choose appropriate career directions, and develop interpersonally.

Students who wish to work as school counselors in New York State, must obtain state certification. Students wishing to work in New York City must also obtain New York City licensure. The following outlines the general requirements for both certification and licensure.  Please note requirements are subject to change.  Please consult your advisor or the Registrar's Office for details.

The Teachers College Ed.M program in Psychological Counseling is a state approved teacher education program. As such, The Registrar's Office (148 Horace Mann) will apply for state certification on behalf of students.  Please contact this office upon completion of the necessary requirements.  If you are interested in becoming certified in another state, you may also contact the Registrar's office for more information.

Provisional Certification

Provisional certification is an entry-level certificate which is issued in a specific subject/grade or title.  The provisional certificate is valid for 5 years, during which time a counselor must satisfy the educational and experience requirements for a permanent certificate.

General Requirements

• Completion of a MA from a New York State approved program. The MA en passant in psychological counseling from Teachers College is such a program.
• 600 hours (2 semesters) of fieldwork in school counseling 
• Proof of completion of 2 hour course in identification and reporting of child abuse and maltreatment  
• Proof of completion of 2 hours of training in school safety and violence education
• Proof of fingerprinting (contact the Office of Teacher Education for further information and where specifically you need to get your fingerpring done and what forms to use).
• Students seeking the Bilingual Extension Only-Satisfactory scores on the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (NYSTCE) (see page on bilingual extension for more details).

Permanent Certification

In order for a school counselor to obtain a permanent certificate, a new application must be submitted either through the college or through the transcript evaluation process. You must apply for permanent certification within 5 years of receiving provisional status.

General Requirements

• Satisfaction of requirements for provisional certificate
• Application and Fee-an application requesting permanent certification and the required $50 fee 
• A Master's degree in a field functionally related to the certification area 
• 30 additional credit hours in school counseling beyond the MA (28 of these credits are available from the Ed.M. in Psychological Counseling program and 2 extra credit hours can be completed through a related course or workshop that offers credit)
• Two years of full-time experience in your certification area
• United States Citizenship or INS Permanent Residence Status 

Licensure

A New York City regular license is a teaching credential issued by the city Department of Education to applicants who possess New York State certification and have successfully completed the NYC interview test.

School Counseling students who wish to work as school counselors in New York City are required to have a New York City License. You may apply for the New York City license after you are recommended for provisional certification (you will receive a letter from the Registrar at TC).

General Requirements

• Application and $50 processing fee (money order only)
• Proof of fingerprinting 
• Proof of provisional certification or an original letter from the Registrar's office stating you have met all academic requirements for your degree and that the school has applied for certification on your behalf
• Completion of the NYC interview test (typically offered in May and October)
• Notarized child support certification form (by law, this must submitted whether or not you have children)
• Proof of passing scores on NYSTCE exams (if applicable)

Applying by Mail

Download application and child support certification form from www.teach.ny.com and mail packet to:

NYC Department of Education

Office of Licensing-Application Section

65 Court Street, Room 405 

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Applying in Person

NYC Department of Education

Bureau of Applicant Services

65 Court Street, Room 102

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Requesting Applications in Writing

New York City Department of Education

Office of Educational Staff Recruitment

65 Court Street, Room 102

Brooklyn, NY 11201

Specify the type of application you are requesting and a self addressed stamped envelope with sixty-five cents ($.65).

Regardless of where your counseling experience is, you may apply for up to three licenses (each license is $50) in the following areas:

-' Elementary school counseling

-' Junior high school counseling

-' High school counseling

Filing for Salary Differential

Students who graduate from the Ed.M program have the advantage of being able to enter their first year of school counseling on the highest pay scale (typically $5,000 above those with less than 60 credits). To qualify for the higher salary you must complete a short application and include original copies of both undergraduate and graduate transcripts. Students should file as soon as possible as it takes 2-3 months to process This will allow you automatically qualify for the higher salary.  You may file for the differential through:

New York Board of Education

Bureau of Salary Differential and Status

65 Court Street, Room 815

Brooklyn, NY 11201