The 60-credit Master of Science in School Counseling prepares students for certification as school counselors. The degree includes a core curriculum and specialization courses. The curriculum covers school counseling practice and research, in addition to necessary coursework in human growth and development, social and cultural foundations, helping relationships, group work, career and lifestyle development, appraisal, research and program development, and professional orientation. Practicum and internship experiences provide unique, varied, and intense hands-on school counseling training experiences that meet state certification requirements.<br><br>The degree satisfies New York State educational requirements for both provisional/permanent and initial/professional certification in school counseling, with SUNY New Paltz recommending graduates for certification. Detailed information on the certification of school counselors in New York is available from the State Education Department (SED) at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert.<br><br>The degree can be completed full-time in two years, including summer classes. Students may attend part-time, but all degree requirements must be completed within five years after admission to degree candidacy.