School Counseling Fellows Program

SCHOOL COUNSELING FELLOWS PROGRAM

The School Counseling Fellows Program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in school counseling with a focus on school reform, specifically targeting at-risk youth in urban and/or metropolitan school districts. Those chosen for this innovative full-time program will be part of a distinguished cohort of students who will complete the degree requirements for the 48-credit Master of Science in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling in 15 months. Approved by the Maryland State Department of Education and accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Fellows program prepares individuals to be leaders and advocates in schools, counsel K-12 students and families, consult and collaborate with community and school stakeholders, and develop data-driven comprehensive counseling programs that promote social justice and equity in schools.

Information Session

View an online information session to learn more about the program.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
Master of Science in Counseling: School Counseling (Full-Time Fellows Program) 
Enrollment:Full-Time
Start Terms:Summer
Application Deadline: April 1
Application Requirements:
Online application form
$80.00 application fee
Resume/CV
Essay:A 500-word essay discussing the reasons you wish to pursue a degree at Johns Hopkins University, focusing on your long-term goals and how your academic program will complement those goals. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses in your academic background, as well as any additional comments that will assist in evaluating your application materials. Essays should be submitted in a typed format on a separate sheet of paper.
Two letters of recommendation
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
An interview may be required

Coursework

To begin the program, Fellows are admitted in the Summer Semester only and will complete the program in August the following year. All classes are held at the school’s Education Building, located on the university’s Homewood campus in Baltimore.

The school counseling program’s course of study involves classroom, laboratory and field site education and training. Students experience a new standard for training school counselors, one that blends theory and practice as they attend a 600-hour internship during the day and class at night. Interns deliver counseling services under the supervision of certified school counselors.

First Summer Semester: Sessions I and II (9 credits)
861.605 Human Development and Counseling
This course reviews significant findings regarding current theory and practice in human growth and development along the life span through a biopsychosocial lens. Learners gain insights into aspects of human development that impact behavior in a variety of realms to include biological, cognitive, socio-emotional, and dispositional influences. Course outcomes focus on theoretical understanding and application of research findings to normal functioning as well as case conceptualization and counseling interventions within school and clinical mental health counseling populations.
861.507 Counseling Techniques
(Lab course) This course provides an overview of the history and philosophy of professional counseling, with special attention to the roles, functions, and limitations of school, community, and organizational counselors. Included is an understanding of the essentials of basic counseling skills; attending, listening, and interviewing stages of clinical treatment; and client/counselor relationships. Students learn about professional counseling organizations, professional credentialing, and standards and ethics in counseling and related human services. The course emphasizes self-growth, awareness, and observational skills as related to becoming a facilitator of individual, group, family, and systems change.
861.502 Counseling Theory and Practice

(Lab course) This course provides an overview of the major theories of counseling and therapy, such as cognitive, behavioral, existential, Gestalt, and Adlerian. Students explore integrative approaches, as well as multicultural and feminist perspectives. Participants focus on a wide range of specific techniques and practices that are associated with each theory and how they are applied in various situations.Notes: Students are required to attend the two-day laboratory sessions. Laboratory courses and internship classes involve an exploration of personal factors as they contribute to counseling skills and techniques.

Fall Semester (15 credits)
861.614 The Foundations of School Counseling
This course is a survey of the knowledge base and practices in contemporary school counseling. It will emphasize the educational, historical, sociological, economic, philosophical, and psychological dynamics of the professional school counselor’s role. Students integrate knowledge and learn skills to examine data driven comprehensive school counseling programs that enhance academic, career, and personal/social development for all students.
863.607 Diversity and Social Justice in Counseling
Participants explore aspects of counseling clients from diverse ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Through didactic and experiential learning techniques, students consider counseling strategies for enhancing cross-cultural interventions. (3 credits)
861.511 Career/Life Development and Planning

Participants review major theories of career development and decision making, occupational sociology, and vocational psychology. The course places career counseling concepts in a life-span perspective and reviews career development materials and cross-cultural strategies.Notes: Tuition includes materials fee.

861.503 Group Counseling and Group Experience

(Lab course) Students investigate practical and theoretical concepts of group dynamics and group counseling to acquire skills in facilitating various kinds of group interaction. Students explore interpersonal dynamics, personal communication styles, fundamental group counseling strategies, and group facilitation through class and laboratory experiences.Notes: Students are required to attend the two-day laboratory sessions. Laboratory courses and internship classes involve an exploration of personal factors as they contribute to counseling skills and techniques.

863.808 Practicum in School Counseling
This supervised practicum experience is offered in two modalities. The first modality is an experiential course including seminar discussions, review of major theories of counseling with an emphasis on the integration of theory and practice, interview analysis, video and/or audiotape observations, and supervised exercises. Emphasis here is given to the development of foundational counseling skills (i.e. trust building, collaborative goal development, interpretation, summarization, paraphrasing, case conceptualization). The second modality is a practicum course involving 100 hours of individual counseling and group counseling, as well as supervisory experience in a school setting or clinical setting where children and/or adolescents are served. Supervision of this experience will be provided by the on-site supervisor and a school counseling program faculty member. Emphasis here is given to the development of cultural competence, social/emotional issues of children and adolescents (e.g., depression, bullying) and school-related issues (e.g., crisis management). The course is taken near the end of a student’s program of study just prior to the internship.
Winter Intersession (6 credits)

861.612 Appraisal and Testing for Counselors

Students explore individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation through the use of standardized test instruments and rating scales. Emphasis is given to principles of test construction, reliability and validity, psychometric properties, and strategies for the selection, administration and interpretation of behavioral, psychological, and educational tests. Implications of age, gender, ethnicity, culture, heritage, language, disability, and professional/ethical issues are examined.Notes: Tuition includes materials fee.

861.609 Diagnosis in Counseling

Students study the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM V) to learn to assess, diagnose, and treat psychopathology based on current DSM criteria. Theories related to the etiology of major categories of mental disorder such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and personality disorders are examined. Students gain an understanding of the impact of abnormal behavior on individuals, families, and society. Instructors provide a developmental framework for understanding diagnosis from multicultural, feminist, and systems perspectives.Notes: Must be taken before ED.863.809 or ED.863.870.

Spring Semester (9 credits)
863.820 Internship in School Counseling
This supervised experience in school counseling includes both field work and class instruction. Students spend 600 hours, over the course of two consecutive semesters (Fall-Spring sequence), engaged in counseling, consultation, and program development activities under the direct supervision of a practicing, certified school counselor. (6 credits taken over two semesters)
863.736 School Counseling Leadership and Consultation
This course is designed to prepare students to lead programs and employ consultation strategies in the development and implementation of data driven school counseling programs. Students will learn leadership and school-based consultation principles, theories, skills, and models necessary to enhance the learning environment. Emphasis is placed on the role of the school counselor as a systemic change agent. Ultimately, the course will assist future school counselor leaders build effective stakeholder consultation teams that promote equitable services for all K-12 students.
Second Summer Semester: Session I (9 credits)

Students are required to take the following course:

863.681 Research and Evaluation for Counselors
Participants learn the basic concepts for understanding and conducting research and program evaluation related to the counseling and human services fields. Students study experimental and quasi-experimental designs, examine quantitative and qualitative methodologies, and learn basic statistical procedures for data analysis.

Students are required to take one of the following two courses:

863.527 Counseling the Early Adolescent

Students explore the physical, emotional, and social development of the early adolescent population (ages 10-14) and examine the relationship between development and counseling needs. Students review relevant research; apply individual and group counseling theory and techniques; and explore issues such as self-esteem, peer pressure, sexuality, substance abuse, anger, violence, suicide, and family relationships. Relevant ethical and legal issues are addressed.Notes: This course must be taken prior to ED.863.820. Master’s students must have completed a minimum of 15 credits before registering for this course.

863.571 Counseling Adolescents

This course provides an overview of the various aspects of adolescent counseling, ranging from adolescent depression, suicide, crisis, drug and alcohol abuse, peer pressure, self-esteem issues, culture, family issues, and developmental themes. Part of the course is dedicated to examining current research on adolescents. The emphasis of the course is on clinical training in group, family, and individual contexts. Relevant ethical and legal issues are addressed.Notes: This course must be taken prior to ED.863.820. Master’s students must have completed a minimum of 15 credits before registering for this course.

Students are required to take the three additional credits of electives or the following Special Education course:

871.501 Introduction to Children and Youth with Exceptionalities
Students investigate the major areas of exceptionality addressing the characteristics and educational needs of students with a broad range of special instructional needs. Students review incidence and etiology, diagnostic and instructional services, educational continuum of programs, and findings of recent research. (3 credits)

Students must receive grades of B or better in all laboratory courses, practicum experiences, and internships to remain in the program. If a grade of B- or below is earned in a required laboratory course, the student must repeat the course and earn a grade of A or B before registering for any other course. If any additional grade of B- or below is earned in any other required laboratory course, the student is dismissed from the program, even if an A or B was earned in the first repeated course. Counseling students who receive a grade of B- or below in Internship course will be dismissed from the program.