Master of Arts in School Counseling
The School Counseling Program at ΢ÃÜÆƽâ is officially Certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as of March 24, 2023.
The Master of Arts in School Counseling program in ΢ÃÜÆƽâ’s School of Behavioral and Community Health provides students with state-of-the art training in a blended curriculum, taught by seasoned clinicians who are experts in the field. Graduates of the school counseling program will be trained to demonstrate their commitment to evidenced-based treatment, life-long learning, and counseling practice that is committed to social justice.
Summer 2024 deadline: April 29, 2024
Fall 2024 deadline: August 19, 2024
This program prepares students for Pennsylvania State licensure and to become Certified School Counselors* and will also grant graduates 2 certificates upon graduation:
- Trauma Certificate
- Tele-Health Certificate
School Counseling students may also complete the CBT Certificate and complete their degree with 66 credits instead of 60.
Program Mission
The Master of Arts in School Counseling program welcomes people of all beliefs and viewpoints. Students in this program gain the evidence-based skills and knowledge needed to ethically engage the practice of clinical and counseling with an emphasis on service delivery to diverse populations, in a wide variety of school and community settings. The program trains students to cultivate the academic skills and personal awareness necessary to be effective, multiculturally competent helping professionals.
Graduates of the School Counseling program demonstrate skills and knowledge in the following areas:
- Professionalism and ethical practice according to the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and federal and state laws governing counseling practice
- Biopsychosocial models of human growth and development
- Theoretical approaches to counseling and case conceptualization
- Integrative approach to wellness and prevention
- Helping relationships and counseling skills
- Group counseling, process, and dynamics
- Psycho-education
- Career and vocational development
- Multicultural, social justice, and advocacy in counseling and the profession
- Appraisal and assessment
- Research and program evaluation methods
- Psychopathology and diagnostic systems
Program Overview
Pennsylvania Licensure
The overarching goal of the School Counseling program is to prepare students for eligibility for Pennsylvania State Licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). Our 60-credit program meets the nine educational requirements outlined in Chapter 49: State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors—Licensure of Professional Counselors (§ 49.2).
Graduates seeking to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) in Pennsylvania must pass an approved exam (National Counselor Exam - NCE) and complete 3000 additional hours of supervised clinical experience, half of which must be under the supervision of an experienced LPC, as per Act 76 of 2018 (Senate Bill 530). Students who plan to practice counseling outside of Pennsylvania after graduating are responsible for understanding the licensing standards of the particular state in which they hope to practice. For more information, visit the website for the .
School Counseling & Pre-K-12 Pennsylvania Certification
Educational Specialist, Level I
All school counselors who intend to practice in the public schools in Pennsylvania must hold a certificate granted from the Pennsylvania Board of Education. Students wishing to be school counselors in other states must check the credentialing requirements from that state. All candidates for initial certification in Pennsylvania (Educational Specialist, Level I) in Elementary and Secondary School Counselor PK-12 must have:
- Earned a minimum of a master’s degree;
- Completed an approved educational program of School Counseling;
- Passed the Professional School Counselor (5421) content test (Praxis II) and fulfilled other requirements as established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education;
- Received the verification/recommendation from ΢ÃÜÆƽâ.
Customize Your Experience
Students can choose between two pathways to complete their degree. Unsure of what to choose? Speak with your Student Experience Mentor for guidance in selecting the best option for you!
Full-Time Students
Students who enter the program full-time in the fall semester can graduate in 2+ years/7 semesters. If a student deviates from the full-time/fall start course sequence in any way, they will automatically be considered part-time and will not be able to graduate within the 2+ year/7 semester timeframe.
Part-time Students
Students may complete the program on a part-time basis, taking 2-3 classes per semester, leading to an average completion time being 3-3.5 years.
Course Modality
Courses in this program may be offered in a variety of formats. We currently offer a hybrid format (some online courses, some in-person). Full-time students are required to take the courses when and in the format in which they are offered. Part-time students may decide when and how to take their coursework.
Course Requirements - Fall 2024
The program sequence listed below is for students who choose to pursue their degree full-time and begin classes in the fall 2024.
Semester 1 – Fall 1
- MCC 500: Helping Relationships
- MSC 510: Professional Orientation: Ethics and School Counseling
- MCC 530: Human Growth & Development
- MCC 550: Counseling Theory
- MCC 560: Social and Cultural Foundations
Semester 2 – Spring 1
- MCC 520: Career & Lifestyle Counseling
- MSC 570: Group Theory and Practice for School Counseling
- MCC 535: Assessment for Counselors
- MSC 545: Counseling Students with Disabilities and Diagnoses
- MCC 680: Practicum
Semester 3 – Summer 1
- MCC 580: Research Design & Methodology
- MCC 615: Crisis Intervention
- MSC 640: School Counselors Working with English Language
Semester 4 – Fall 2
- MCC 610: Grief & Bereavement
- MCC 600: Trauma Informed Counseling
- MSC 685: Internship Supervision I: School Counseling
- MSC 650: School Guidance Program Administration
Semester 5 – Spring 2
- MCC 640: Sexuality Across the Lifespan
- MSC 686: Internship Supervision II: School Counseling
- MCC 605: Advanced Trauma Topics
Course Requirements - Fall 2023
The program sequence listed below is for students who choose to pursue their degree full-time and begin classes in the fall 2023.
Fall 1
- MCC 500-Helping Relationships
- MCC 550-Counseling Theory
- MSC 510-Professional Orientation: Ethics and Counseling
- MCC 530-Human Growth and Development
- MCC 560-Social and Cultural Foundations
Spring 1
- MCC 520-Career & Lifestyle Counseling
- MCC 535-Assessment for Counselors
- MSC 570-Group Theory and Practice
- MSC 545-Counseling Students with Disabilities and Diagnoses
- MCC 680-Practicum
Summer 1
- MSC 640 School Counselors Working with English Language
- MCC 580-Research Design & Methodology
- MCC 615-Crisis Intervention
Fall 2
- MCC 600-Trauma Informed Practice
- MCC 610-Grief and Bereavement
- MSC 650: School Guidance Program Administration
- MSC 685-Internship Supervision I
Spring 2
- MSC 686-Internship Supervision II
- MCC 640-Sexuality Across the Lifespan
- MCC 605-Advance Trauma Topics
How to Apply
Students who hold a bachelor’s degree in any major and have a vocational desire to enter this helping profession are encouraged to apply. With no prerequisites to complete, you will begin the path to degree completion and licensure right away.
Application Requirements
All applicants must begin by completing Moravian’s free . Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis and the GRE is not required for entrance to this program. With your application, please complete the following:
- Resume
- Essay
- Interview
- Official transcript(s)
Deep respect for others is fundamental to the ΢ÃÜÆƽâ community. ΢ÃÜÆƽâ does not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, sex, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, caste, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy, familial status, marital status, citizenship status, veteran/military status, disability status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal laws. In compliance with the requirements of Title IX, ΢ÃÜÆƽâ does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational program and activity, including admission/employment.
Concerns regarding all forms of discrimination, including sexual harassment and/or sex discrimination in admission/employment:
Becki L. Achey, M.S.
Equal Opportunity and Title IX Coordinator
1309 Main St.
(610) 625-7023
equalopportunity@moravian.edu
Mailing address:
΢ÃÜÆƽâ
1200 Main St.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
Concerns regarding gender and equity in athletics:
Rebecca May
Associate Athletic Director (Deputy Title IX Coordinator)
109 Johnston Hall
(610) 625-7991
mayr@moravian.edu
Mailing address:
΢ÃÜÆƽâ
1200 Main St.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
Concerns regarding the application of Title IX:
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Civil Rights
100 Penn Square East, Suite 515
Philadelphia, PA 19107-3323
(215) 656-8541
ocr.philadelphia@ed.gov
Report sexual harassment/sex discrimination online anytime (can be anonymous) at www.moravian.edu/titleix. The full policy and grievance procedures can be found in the institutional Equal Opportunity, Harassment, and Non-Discrimination Policy.
Meet our Director
![Julia Davis](/sites/default/files/department/SOBACH/JuliaDavis.jpg)
Julia Davis, Ph.D., NCC
Dr. Davis served as Chair and Associate Professor of Counseling and Human Services and the Coordinator of the Student Affairs and Higher Education Program at SUNY Plattsburgh. Formerly she served as the Director of International Education at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts and the Assistant Director of Study Abroad at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She earned her M.A. in Secondary/Post-Secondary School Counseling – Emphasis in College Student Personnel Administration and her Ph.D. in College Student Personnel Administration from the University of Northern Colorado.
Dr. Davis pursues scholarly interests in the areas of international/intercultural education, women in leadership, college student development, and instructional methodology. She is an active member of many professional organizations for counseling, international education, and student affairs including: ACA, ACES, NARACES, NAFSA, NASPA, and ACPA. Dr. Davis served as a member of the Trainer Corps for NAFSA: Association of International Education and serves on the Editorial Board for the New York Journal of Student Affairs.
Meet our Faculty
![Michelle](/sites/default/files/department/SOBACH/michelle.jpg)
Michelle Santiago, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Clinical Practice
President Elect of the American Association of State Counseling Boards
Dr. Michelle Santiago earned her doctorate of clinical psychology degree and has worked in a vast myriad of correctional, community MH agencies, survivor services, advocacy, and higher ed settings since 1996. She is a former Title IX investigator, a former member of the Northampton County Jail advisory committee, and a former member of the Society for the Psychology of Women Reproductive Rights Committee. She was appointed by PA Gov. Wolfe to serve the profession as a member of the PA Department of State Professional Licensing Bureau of Occupational Affairs for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors
She is a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Developmental Inventory (IDI, LLC), a diversity trainer for local denominations and mental health agencies, a member of the International Association for Resilience and Trauma Counseling (serving on both the ethics and the awards committees), a founding member of the Clinical Supervision Research Collaborative, and considered a subject matter expert by the National Board of Certified Counselors.
Meet our Director of Field Education
![Michelle Brandt](/sites/default/files/department/SOBACH/MichelleBrandt.jpg)
Michelle Brandt
Michelle Brandt (she/her) is an assistant clinical professor and director of field education in the Counseling and MSW programs. She spent more than 20 years working as a social worker in the health care field with a focus on adults and older adults, hospice, palliative care, and oncology and has 10 years’ experience in social work field education. A strong connection to social work values and ethics informs Michelle’s approach to practice and teaching and a commitment to the social work profession has led to her interest in working with students in field education. Michelle’s research interests include ethics at end of life, grief and loss, and social work field education.
![Cabral-Castro](/sites/default/files/department/graduate/sem/VanessaBlose.jpg)
Let’s Talk
Vanessa Blose is your one-stop shop for all things Clinical Counseling-related. Financial aid, admissions, student support, you name it. She'll be there to help pave the way. Schedule a meeting or connect with her via phone, text, or email.
Vanessa Blose
she/her/hers
Student Experience Mentor
(610) 625-7986
blosev@moravian.edu