M.S. in Counseling Curriculum

CACREP accredited curriculum, 60 credit hours (20 courses), three semesters of clinical field experience, and the successful completion of the Comprehensive Final Examination. 

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Program Formats

Course delivery format will correspond to the format and campus in which the student began the CMHC program.

• Face-to-Face at the Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus (Winter, Summer, and Fall start terms)
• Hybrid - offered at Miami, Orlando, and Tampa Bay Regional Campuses (Fall start term only)
• Online (with Residential Institutes) (Winter, Summer, and Fall start terms)
  

• Program Evaluation Report (PDF)
• 2025 Annual Report (PDF)

 

Courses

PYCL 0502 - Counseling Theories and Practice (3 credits)

This course provides a foundation and overview of the fields of psychotherapy and counseling. It reviews the various theories and techniques of counseling that are consistent with current professional research and practice in the fields of clinical mental health counseling. Additional topics include professional roles and functions, credentialing, and general ethics in clinical mental health.

PYCL 0507 - Research and Evaluation for Counselors (3 credits)

This course seeks to prepare mental health and school counselors to be informed consumers of research and evaluation. It covers basic statistics, research designs, and program evaluation within the counseling and educational fields. It provides experience in reading research and evaluating reports applicable to a wide range of populations.

PYCL 0511 - Introduction to Counseling Techniques (3 credits)

This course is an overview of basic counseling skills across all service delivery modalities. The major focus will be on the development of fundamental counseling skills, including listening, empathy training, and basic interviewing. Issues regarding the development of the therapeutic relationship, person-responsivity, and the impact of the counselor on the counseling process will be covered. Prerequisite: PYCL 0502.

PYCL 0512 - Human Growth and Development (3 credits)

This course covers how developmental maturation, biological factors, client’s backgrounds, and environmental variables influence individuals and families’ behaviors and wellness across the lifespan. Theory and research in social, learning, and personality development are covered in topics for clinical mental health and school counselors.

PYCL 0570 - Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues for Counselors (3 credits)

This course covers standards for ethical, legal, and professional conduct in counseling. It considers ethical and legal decisions that mental health counselors must make. Case examples, current federal and state laws/statutes, ethical codes, and standards on assessment, diagnosis, practice, placement data, counselor advocacy, and self-care for counselors are explored in relation to identifying and resolving ethical dilemmas and counseling a variety of populations in multiple settings and across a variety of service delivery modalities. Prerequisite: PYCL 0502

PYCL 0582 - Human Sexuality (3 credits)

This course includes an overview of the basics of sexual anatomy, physiology, and the role of sexual development and sexuality related to overall wellness and development. The student will acquire an understanding of human sexual response, concepts of sex therapies, and human sexual dysfunction. Also included are methods of contraception, sex and family planning, variations of sexual behavior, structures for affective relationships and bonds, as well as the importance of the counselor in the role of the educator.

PYCL 0584 - Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Psychopathology (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction to the definition and study of abnormal or maladaptive behavior, including a broad range of mental health disorders relevant to the adult and older adult populations. Emphasis will be placed on a descriptive review of the major DSM-5-TR disorders, supplemented with theoretical considerations of etiology and treatment approaches including the use of psychopharmacological interventions.

PYCL 0586 - Diagnosis and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (3 credits)

This course provides an introduction to the specific DSM-5-TR disorders and problematic psychological states manifested during childhood and adolescence and reviews the etiology, nomenclature, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders. The course provides an overview of currently used behavioral and psychopharmacological interventions with psychologically troubled youth including the biological, neurological, and physiological factors that affect lifespan development. This encompasses overall functioning, behavior, addiction, trauma, resilience, and wellness areas. Functions and application of group therapy and advocacy are also covered.

PYCL 0608 - Psychological Testing for Individual Evaluation (3 credits)

This course surveys frequently used tests of aptitude, interest, and personality. Test content, purpose, psychometric properties, administration, and scoring procedures are compared and evaluated. Issues of test use in a client-responsive manner are addressed. Prerequisite: PYCL 0507.

PYCL 0612 - Substance Abuse (3 credits)

This course explores the etiology of substance-related and addictive disorders, with a focus on assessment and treatment using individual, group, and family therapy approaches. The course also examines the significance of co-occurring disorders in diagnosis and treatment planning, as well as the role of professional counselor in working with this specific population. Prerequisites: PYCL 0502; PYCL 0511.

PYCL 0631 - Career and Lifestyle Assessment (3 credits)

This course surveys the major theories of career choice, planning, and development as well as standardized methods of assessing vocational interests and aptitudes. Social, psychological, and economic factors influencing career choice are examined. Emphasis will be placed on individual and group career counseling skills across various populations, including career instruments, assessments, and evaluations; career counseling strategies; career marketing information; and techniques and approaches according to varying career life stages.

PYCL 0632 - Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling (3 credits)

This course explores the multifaceted nature of social and cultural identities and experiences, emphasizing implications for counseling. Furthermore, the course provides a review of theories and models pertinent to cultural competence in counseling practice. It critically examines considerations, approaches, and strategies relevant to and appropriate for counseling a wide-range of clientele.

PYCL 0635 - Group Theory and Practice (3 credits)

This course addresses group theory and practice in multiple settings with a variety of populations and age groups. Major themes include group dynamics, group process, and group stages for mental health and school counselors. Prerequisites for clinical mental health counseling concentration: PYCL 0502 & PYCL 0511; for school counseling concentration PYCL 0503 & PYCL 511.

PYCL 0645 - Couples and Family Counseling Strategies (3 credits)

This skills course surveys current systemic theories and models of marriage, couple, and family counseling with an emphasis on a systemic conceptual model of family functioning and therapeutic interventions that are relevant for client contexts and appropriate for clients and families of various backgrounds. It is designed to develop specific intervention competencies for strengthening affective relationships and bonds. Prerequisites: PYCL 0502; PYCL 0511; PYCL 0584.

PYCL 0660 - Community Mental Health (3 credits)

Foundations of community mental health, the counseling profession, and the clinical mental health counseling entry-level specialized practice area are reviewed with a focus on community interventions and service delivery across the continuum of care. Principles, theories, and advocacy practices are reviewed to explore the history, events, and attitudes that led to the development of community mental health delivery systems within clinical mental health counseling. This course surveys the design and utilization of public and private programs, networks and facilities within the mental health continuum of care, as well as the interplay of public and private funding and service utilization. The impact of trauma, crisis, legislation, public policy, credentialing, and professional organizations on persons who access community and behavioral health services will be reviewed. This course acquaints students with the various approaches (prevention, consultation, caseload management) and techniques used by counselors in community settings with clients of varying backgrounds and provides an orientation to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling profession.   

PYCL 0666 - Case Conceptualization and Treatment Strategies (3 credits)

This course focuses on the processes of conceptualizing clinical cases from a variety of theoretical orientations and translating them into developmentally appropriate and individualized counseling treatment or intervention plans. Clinical interviews, case studies, and roleplays will be utilized to assist students in formulating hypotheses about client difficulties and developing appropriate clinical interventions, which address those difficulties in a person-responsive manner. Prerequisites: PYCL 0502; PYCL 0511; PYCL 0584.

PYCL 0669 - Advanced Treatment Interventions (3 credits)

In this course, students further develop their personal approach to counseling by applying theory-based and empirically supported counseling strategies/techniques for prevention and intervention to a broad range of mental health concerns. Students enhance their skills in interviewing and assessment while developing an effective counseling relationship. The course focuses on increasing knowledge of case conceptualization and developing individualized treatment plans. Students will demonstrate person-responsive counseling strategies and interventions in counseling simulations. Prerequisites: PYCL 0502; PYCL 0511; PYCL 0584; PYCL 0666.

PYCL 0680 - Counseling Practicum (3 credits)

The student is required to spend a specified number of hours per week at a selected agency working under supervision with clients. During that time, the student is expected to increase his or her competence in the areas of basic interviewing, assessment, and counseling skills. Furthermore, the student will be made more aware of the ethical, legal, and professional issues inherent in the counseling process. Prerequisites: PYCL 0502; PYCL 0507; PYCL 0511; PYCL 0570; PYCL 0584; PYCL 0586; PYCL 0635; PYCL 0666 with a grade of B minus or better. The student must file an application for practicum and receive approval prior to registering for a practicum.

PYCL 0681 - Counseling Internship I (3 credits)

This course is an extension of Counseling Practicum. The student will be expected to develop more advanced skills in interviewing, assessment, and intervention. Simultaneously, continued emphasis will be placed upon ethical, legal, and professional issues, as well as development of a personal theory of clinical mental health counseling. Prerequisite: PYCL 0680 with a grade of B minus or better.

PYCL 0682 - Continuing Counseling Internship (3 credits)

This course is a continuation of Counseling Internship. Prerequisite: PYCL 0681 with a grade of B minus or better.

Practicum and Internship Requirements

• PYCL 0680, 0681, and 0682 involve three sequential semesters of supervised professional practical experience at a community-based clinical site placement.
• Students must apply for practicum and be approved; following approval students are guided through the site selection and placement process by their designated clinical coordinator.
• Students gain essential experience in the role of a counselor; attendance is required at the community-based clinical site for approximately 20 hours per week for the full semester.

Exit Exam

Students must pass Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) to complete their degree and graduate.

The Master of Science in Counseling, School Counseling concentration meets the educational degree completion requirements for certification in the state of Florida, and is a state-approved program by the state of Florida Department of Education. Currently, this program is only accepting applicants from the state of Florida seeking Florida certification. 

Program Format

• Online (with two Residential Institutes)
• Fall start term only 

Accreditation Information

The Master of Science in Counseling, School Counseling concentration meets the educational degree completion requirements for certification in the state of Florida, and is a state-approved program by the state of Florida Department of Education. Currently, this program is only accepting applications from the state of Florida seeking Florida certification.

CAEP

In May 2022, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) granted Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler College of Education & School of Criminal Justice Accreditation at the advanced-level. Counseling (M.S.): School Counseling Concentration was included in this accreditation. This accreditation status is effective from Spring 2022 through Spring 2026.

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
1140 19th St. NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 223-0077

ASCA

In February 2023, the M.S Counseling: School Counseling concentration earned national recognition through the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Specialized Professional Association (SPA) under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Attaining this specialty recognition was an essential component of maintaining CAEP accreditation as an advanced program, and it required the program to demonstrate it meets each of the ASCA School Counselor Preparation Program Standards. NSU is the first-ever program to be awarded this national recognition by ASCA. More information about the ASCA SPA.

Curriculum

PYCL 0503 - Counseling Theories for School Counselors+ (3 credits)

This course provides a foundation and overview of theories relevant to the fields of counseling and psychotherapy. The course focuses on the theories and techniques that are consistent with current professional research and practice in school counseling.

PYCL 0507 - Research and Evaluation for Counselors (3 credits)

This course seeks to prepare mental health and school counselors to be informed consumers of research and evaluation. It covers basic statistics, research designs, and program evaluation within the counseling and educational fields. It provides experience in reading research and evaluating reports applicable to a wide range of populations.

 PYCL 0510 - Career Development and College Planning (3 credits)

This course addresses effective strategies for helping diverse P-12 students develop career, educational, and postsecondary plans. The course surveys career and lifestyle assessment instruments, career development theories, and decision-making models. The course will emphasize college readiness including college exploration, the application process, and financial aid. Computer-based career development and college planning applications will be studied. 

PYCL 0511 - Introduction to Counseling Techniques+ (3 credits)

This course is an overview of basic counseling skills across all service delivery modalities. The major focus will be on the development of fundamental counseling skills, including listening, empathy training, and basic interviewing. Issues regarding the development of the therapeutic relationship, person-responsivity, and the impact of the counselor on the counseling process will be covered. Prerequisite: PYCL 0502.

PYCL 0512 - Human Growth and Development+ (3 credits)

This course covers how developmental maturation, biological factors, client’s backgrounds, and environmental variables influence individuals and families’ behaviors and wellness across the lifespan. Theory and research in social, learning, and personality development are covered in topics for clinical mental health and school counselors.

PYCL 0515 - Principles of School Counseling+ (3 credits)

This course covers the history, philosophy, functions, management, and operation of comprehensive school counseling programs in elementary and secondary schools with emphasis on the role of the professional school counselor.

PYCL 0550 - Contemporary Clinical Interventions+ (3 credits)

This course focuses on counseling strategies in school settings. Topics covered include substance abuse, suicide, violence, self-harm, suicidal ideation, teen pregnancy, and other issues affecting the well-being and academic success of students. Primary and secondary prevention strategies will be examined for suitable school-based interventions. Prerequisite: PYCL 0503. 

PYCL 0560 - Appraisal & Evaluation in School Counseling (3 credits)

This course covers basic measurement concepts, test content and purpose, psychometric properties, administration, and scoring procedures. Frequently used tests of aptitude, interest, achievement, and personality are reviewed. Issues involved with standardized and non-standardized assessment of achievement, educational diagnostic tests, and vocational interest tests are examined from the school counseling perspective. Issues of ethical test use and use with all students are also addressed. Prerequisite: PYCL 0507

PYCL 0571 - Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues for School Counselors+ (3 credits)

This course covers standards for ethical, legal, and professional conduct in counseling. It considers ethical and legal decisions that school counselors must make. Case examples, current federal and state laws/statutes, ethical codes, and standards on assessment, diagnosis, practice, and placement data are discussed in relation to counseling students. Prerequisite: PYCL 0503

PYCL 0585 - Psychology of Exceptional and At Risk Children (3 credits)

This course covers the etiology and characteristics of exceptionalities and children at risk for underachievement and dropping out. Also covered is the role of the school counselor in identifying such problems, drawing on available resources, and making appropriate referrals. 

PYCL 0632 - Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling (3 credits)

This course explores the multifaceted nature of social and cultural identities and experiences, emphasizing implications for counseling. Furthermore, the course provides a review of theories and models pertinent to cultural competence in counseling practice. It critically examines considerations, approaches, and strategies relevant to and appropriate for counseling a wide-range of clientele.

PYCL 0635 - Group Theory and Practice+ (3 credits)

This course addresses group theory and practice in multiple settings with a variety of populations and age groups. Major themes include group dynamics, group process, and group stages for mental health and school counselors. Prerequisites for clinical mental health counseling concentration: PYCL 0502 & PYCL 0511; for school counseling concentration PYCL 0503 & PYCL 511.

PYCL 0665 - School Consultation Skills+ (3 credits)

This course focuses on developing specific techniques in consultation, leadership, and advocacy. It integrates the various aspects of a developmental comprehensive school counseling program with particular reference to problem-solving and the utilization of available data and resources. 

PYCL 0685 - School Counseling Practicum (1 semester)+ (3 credits)

This course provides students with knowledge and exposure to educational K-12 settings and requires an in-school field experience. 

PYCL 0688/0689 - School Counseling Internship (2 semesters)

PYCL 0688 - School Counseling Internship (3 credits)

Students are required to spend a specified number of hours per week at a selected K-12 public school setting working under the supervision of a professional school counselor. During that time, students are expected to become advocates for and increase competence in providing services to youth and their families in the personal/social, academic, and career domains. Furthermore, students will be made more aware of the ethical, legal, and professional issues inherent in the counseling process. Prerequisites: PYCL 0502; PYCL 0512; PYCL 0515; PYCL 0550; PYCL 0570; PYCL 0635 (group); PYCL 0665; PYCL 0685; and consent of adviser.

PYCL 0689 - Continuing School Counseling Internship (3 credits)

This course is a continuation of School Counseling Internship I. Students will be expected to develop more advanced skills in working with students and families in school settings. Simultaneously, continued emphasis will be placed upon ethical, legal, and professional issues. Prerequisite: PYCL 0688 or CGPY 0688. 

+ Internship Pre-requisite Course

As of May 9, 2019, the Florida Department of Education no longer requires passing scores on the General Knowledge Test (GKT) of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) for School Counselors. As a result, the NSU Department of Counseling is removing the requisite passing score on the GKT as a matriculation or graduation requirement. Please note that prior to graduation, school counseling candidates are still required to successfully complete the two additional sub-tests of the FTCE: (1) Professional Education (PEd) examination, and (2) Subject Area Test (SAE), which are unaffected by this change.

School Counseling candidates are encouraged to complete the GKT on their own accord, as some post-masters employment opportunities in certain school districts may require successful completion of the GKT as part of an Unrestricted License, as described here:

General Knowledge Requirement Limited to Classroom Teachers

The requirements to hold a professional certificate have been amended for persons who do not serve as a classroom teacher. Persons who are not classroom teachers, such as student advisers, social workers, school psychologists, librarians and learning resource specialists, will not have to demonstrate mastery of GK to hold a professional certificate; however, they will not be eligible to serve as a classroom teacher. Therefore, these persons may apply for a “restricted” professional license; however a “restricted” professional license cannot be used to qualify a person to serve as a classroom teacher. (Line 1953; s. 1012.56(2)(g), F.S.) State Board of Education rule revision is required to implement this new “restricted” professional license.