OHE

Office of Higher Education


Google Translate Disclaimer

New Registration Requirements for Programs Leading to Certification in School Counseling

To:

Deans and Directors of Institutions of Higher Education with Registered Programs Leading to Certification in School Counseling; School Counselor Education Program Coordinators
From: John L. D’Agati, Deputy Commissioner of Office of Higher Education
Date:

March 7, 2018
Subject: New Registration Requirements for Programs Leading to Certification in School Counseling pdf file (117KB)

In May 2017, the Board of Regents approved new program registration requirements for school counselor education programs that became effective July 1, 2017 and are listed in New York Code of Rules and Regulations, Title 8, Chapter II, Subchapter A, Part 52, Section 52.21(d). The requirements are based on feedback from the field over several years and are described online through the links provided below. In addition to meeting Section 52.21(d) requirements, the new regulations require that programs leading to school counseling certification conform to general program regulations under Parts 50, 52, 53 and 54.

The new program regulations under Section 52.21(d) state that programs leading to certification in school counseling must meet the new registration requirements by September 1, 2020. Therefore, all institutions of higher education with school counselor programs must re- register their current programs leading to school counselor certification with the Department on or before that date in accordance with the new requirements.

The Department will issue guidance on how institutions of higher education with current school counselor education programs should re-register their existing programs to comply with the new school counselor program registration requirements, including a timeline of when the new applications will be available and when the Department will begin accepting re-registration applications. Please note that the regulations require programs to meet the new requirements by September 1, 2020. Programs should consider their institution program approval timelines and allow sufficient time for internal approvals in order to submit their applications to the Department to meet the September 1, 2020 deadline.

Some of the new requirements for school counselor programs are outlined in the following table. Please see Section 52.21(d) for the full list of requirements that include faculty qualifications and involvement in and partnerships with public/non-public P-12 schools. There are no plans at this time to establish school psychology or school social work program registration regulations under Section 52.21.

New Program Requirements

Programs Leading Only to Initial Certification

Programs Leading to Initial/Professional Certification – Degree

Programs Leading Only to Professional Certification – Advanced Certificate

Degree level required

Master’s degree
or higher

Master’s degree

Advanced Certificate

Minimum number of semester hours

48

60

12

Core content areas outlined in regulations

Six

Six areas for the Initial certificate plus two areas for the Professional certificate.

Two

Practicum hours and content

100 clock hours:

  • Minimum 40 clock hours of direct student contact.
  • Minimum 60 clock hours on key school counseling program elements.

Same as Initial certificate.

Not applicable; satisfied through admissions requirements.

Internship hours

600 clock hours:

  • Minimum 240 clock hours of supervised direct student service.
  • Minimum 360 clock hours on key school counseling program elements.

Same as Initial certificate.

Not applicable; satisfied through admissions requirements.

Internship grade levels
  • Minimum 300 clock hours in grades K-8.
  • Minimum 300 clock hours in grades 9-12.

Same as Initial certificate.

Not applicable; satisfied through admissions requirements.

Last Updated: March 26, 2018