School Counselor Credential

The information below identifies the OU requirements for each of these credentials. If institution assigns a different type of credit, convert to semester hours.

Important note: Regardless of when you graduated with your master’s degree in school counseling, you must meet the current coursework requirements in place when you apply for the school counseling credential. This is not an OU policy. Rather, it is an MDE policy and is non-negotiable. 

Preliminary Employment Authorization to work as a School Counselor (PEASC) K-12

• Introduction to Counseling and Ethics - CNS 5050 – 4 semester hours
• Diversity and Social Justice Issues - CNS 5060 - 4 semester hours
• Clinical Counseling Skills - CNS 5070 - 4 semester hours
• Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy - CNS 5080 - 4 semester hours
• Individual & Family Development Counseling - CNS 5090 - 4 semester hours
• Testing and Assessment in Counseling - CNS 6010 - 4 semester hours
• Career Development Theory and Practice - CNS 6020 - 4 semester hours
• Group Counseling - CNS 6030 - 4 semester hours
• Research in Counseling - CNS 6000 - 4 semester hours
• Introduction to School Counseling and Consultation - CNS 6100 - 3 semester hours
• Advanced School Counseling - CNS 6200 - 3 semester hours
• Practicum in Counseling (100hrs.) - CNS 6960 - 4 semester hours

School Counselor Endorsement on a Teaching Certificate (NT) K-12

• Introduction to Counseling and Ethics - CNS 5050 – 4 semester hours
• Diversity and Social Justice Issues - CNS 5060 - 4 semester hours
• Clinical Counseling Skills - CNS 5070 - 4 semester hours
• Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy - CNS 5080 - 4 semester hours
• Individual & Family Development Counseling - CNS 5090 - 4 semester hours
• Testing and Assessment in Counseling - CNS 6010 - 4 semester hours
• Career Development Theory and Practice - CNS 6020 - 4 semester hours
• Group Counseling - CNS 6030 - 4 semester hours
• Research in Counseling - CNS 6000 - 4 semester hours
• Introduction to School Counseling and Consultation - CNS 6100 - 3 semester hours
• Advanced School Counseling - CNS 6200 - 3 semester hours
• Practicum in Counseling (100hrs.) - CNS 6960 - 4 semester hours
• Internship in Counseling (600hrs.) - CNS 6950 - 4 semester hours

School Counselor License (SCL) K-12

• Introduction to Counseling and Ethics - CNS 5050 – 4 semester hours
• Diversity and Social Justice Issues - CNS 5060 - 4 semester hours
• Clinical Counseling Skills - CNS 5070 - 4 semester hours
• Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy - CNS 5080 - 4 semester hours
• Individual & Family Development Counseling - CNS 5090 - 4 semester hours
• Testing and Assessment in Counseling - CNS 6010 - 4 semester hours
• Career Development Theory and Practice - CNS 6020 - 4 semester hours
• Group Counseling - CNS 6030 - 4 semester hours
• Research in Counseling - CNS 6000 - 4 semester hours
• Introduction to School Counseling and Consultation - CNS 6100 - 3 semester hours
• Advanced School Counseling - CNS 6200 - 3 semester hours
• Practicum in Counseling (100hrs.) - CNS 6960 - 4 semester hours
• Internship in Counseling (600hrs.) - CNS 6950 - 4 semester hours

Total number of SEMESTER HOURS required for each option offered:

• PEASC K-12: 46 semester hours
• NT K-12: 50 semester hours
• SCL K-12: 50 semester hours

There are three steps necessary for obtaining a recommendation from OU for a school counseling credential. You will need to submit some materials directly to OU and you will also need to complete an online application process through the Michigan Department of Education. For questions about this application process and/or OU’s requirements, contact Shauna Pacheco at [email protected].

School Counselor Credential Application Checklist

To apply for a school counseling credential through OU, complete the following steps:

1. Submit the following materials to OU through the School Counselor Credential Application:
   • Indication of the specific credential being requested
   • Copy of School Counseling Licensure Internship Checklist
   • Copy of unofficial transcript
   • Copy of MTTC Test 51 results
   • Copy of valid Michigan teaching certificate (if applicable)
     
     
2. Submit an online application to Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Note: If you are having any difficulties with the MDE online application process, please contact the MDE Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) at (517) 373-3310.
   
   
3. Await processing of your application by OU and make payment to MDE. The processing will involve:
   
   
   • University/College Review and Approval
     After you have completed the online application process through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS), your application will be submitted by the MDE to OU. OU will then review your online application and the written materials you submitted to OU. Based on this review, OU will issue a recommendation, put a hold on your application or deny your request.
     
     
   • Online Fee Payment
     Once OU provides its recommendation via the MDE online system, you will receive an email from the MDE with a link for you to pay the fee online using credit/debit card, or you can do so by logging into MOECS using your user ID and password, and clicking on the “pending payment” link on the home page.
     
     
   • Issuance of Certificate
     Once the fee is paid, your application will be approved by MDE, and you will then be able to print out the credential.