School Counseling (MSEd)
Welcome to the School Counseling (MSEd) program home page. Use this page as a guide to the program from acceptance to graduation. Students can complete the program part-time or full-time.
Academic Plan
GSC-MSED
Total Credits
Earn at least 60 credits
Advisors and Faculty
- Markus Bidell, Program Leader
- Tamara R. Buckley, Program Faculty (on leave)
- GoEun Na, Program Faculty
- Michelle Lask, Clinical Coordinator of Field Placements
- Hadeel Elder, Program Faculty/Fieldwork Site Development
- Valerie Lyons, Graduation, Certification and Administrative Advisor
Annual Report and Student Outcomes
Please view the Annual Report and Student Outcomes that we provide in compliance with The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the body that accredits the Hunter College School of Education’s program in school counseling.
Newly Accepted Students
Getting Started and Orientation
New Student Checklist
Welcome to the School of Education! Visit the Newly Accepted Students page for a checklist to get you started at Hunter College.
New Student Support
If at any point you need support, please reach out to our New Student Liaison at newsoest@hunter.cuny.edu or make an appointment.
Orientations
Students will attend three orientations to cover all the information needed to start your program:
- General New Student Orientation
- Program Advising Session
- Clinical Experiences and Fingerprinting Orientation
See “Program Related Events” for details about upcoming sessions.
Financing Your Degree
Visit the Financing Your Degree page for information.
Fingerprint Clearance Requirements
All students in teacher preparation programs as well as programs in school counseling need to be fingerprinted so that they are cleared to work with children in various settings including New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) public schools, charter networks, and other organizations. Visit the Fingerprinting page for requirements and procedures.
Program Sequences
Consult the program sequence for a suggested order of courses for the program based on start date. It also includes when to take certification exams and apply for clinical experiences in addition to other important non-course requirements. For technical registration support and troubleshooting, please visit the Register for Classes page.
Hunter College Catalog
To review descriptions of specific courses and academic progress standards for the program along with exit requirements please use the course catalog for the year you were admitted to the program.
Course Catalog Summer 2022 onward
Course Catalog prior to Summer 2022
Clinical Experiences
Hunter College School Counseling Program students are required to complete a minimum of 700 field hours in two different fieldwork sites, K to 5 (elementary) OR 6 to 8 (middle) AND 9 to 12 (high school), over three semesters through the Practicum and Internship courses.
Practicum
Practicum is a one-semester placement, which may be completed in the fall or spring semester. Practicum requires students to be in the field a minimum of 100 hours per semester (approximately one full day each week). There are two corresponding courses required to register for during the practicum semester.
Registration, Application and Placement Processes and Procedures
Registration permission is required to register for Practicum courses. Counseling students are responsible for identifying their placement in collaboration with the fieldwork coordinator. Once placement has been approved, registration permission will be granted.
Students are required to attend one fieldwork orientation session prior to applying for practicum. Of the two sessions scheduled each semester, students may choose one to attend. At this orientation, students will learn about the fieldwork search process and application process. Students are encouraged to apply from the list of pre-approved fieldwork sites, however are allowed to choose a new site to complete fieldwork, pending all requirements may be met at that new site. The Fieldwork Coordinator must vet all new sites for final approval.
Application Deadline
Students may apply for practicum by submitting a complete practicum application by the first Thursday in December or May, the semester prior to starting.
Internship
Upon successful completion of practicum, students are eligible to start internship, their second fieldwork experience during their academic program. Internship is a two-consecutive semester placement, which starts in the fall semester and is completed in the spring semester. Internship requires students to be in the field a minimum of 300 hours per semester (approximately three full days each week, totaling 600 hours for the academic year). There is one corresponding course required to register for during each internship semester.
Registration, Application and Placement Processes and Procedures
Registration permission is required to register for Practicum and Internship courses. Counseling students are responsible for identifying their placement in collaboration with the fieldwork coordinator. Once placement has been approved, registration permission will be granted.
Application Deadline
Students must apply for internship submitting a complete internship application by the first Thursday in May, the semester prior to starting.
Graduation
Graduation is the official completion of your program and conferral of an academic degree. In order to graduate, students must apply for graduation using CUNYFirst the semester before the semester of their planned graduation and complete any outstanding requirements by the stated deadlines. Visit the Graduation and Commencement page for complete information.
Certification and Licensure
This program leads to New York State certification in School Counseling.
Students who are completing or have completed the program will apply for their certification through the New York State Education Department TEACH Online Services.
All students graduating in Spring 2024 or later will be required to take the School Counseling Content Specialty Test (CST) for certification. For updates on this change, please review the NYSED Office of Teaching Initiatives website. To prepare for this exam, please review the NYSTCE study guides page and the School Counseling Preparation Materials page. To register for this exam, please review the School Counseling CST registration page.
All students who graduated from the School Counseling program prior to Spring 2024 and who did not apply for Provisional certification, will be required to apply for Initial Certification through the Individual Evaluation pathway.
Initial Certification: Requirements and Exams
The School of Education reserves the right not to recommend for certification any student who has committed a serious breach of professional ethics or behavior. The Initial Certificate is the entry-level certificate. Students apply and pay for their certification in their final semester.
Candidates seeking certification must fulfill the following requirements before applying:
1. Complete NY State Certification required workshops and submit to the Office of Academic and Students Affairs (OASA)
All applications for NY State certification require that students take and complete the workshops listed below. Students who have completed these workshops for a prior certification, do not need to take them again. Upon completion of workshops, students must submit their workshop certification(s) to the Office of Academic & Student Affairs so that their CUNYfirst account can be updated.
Submit Workshop Completion Form
School Violence Intervention and Prevention
This workshop is included in coursework for your program.
Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
This workshop is included in coursework for your program.
Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Workshop
Students may take this workshop through Hunter College’s Continuing Education department or with another approved provider through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) website.
2. Clear fingerprints with the New York State Education Department (NYSED)
All students in programs leading to New York State certification need to have their fingerprints cleared by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
Visit the Fingerprinting for Hunter College School of Education Students to learn how to obtain fingerprint clearance.
Initial Certification: Application Directions and Program Code
1. Create/Log in to your TEACH Account
Students must create/log in to their New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Account. From your Teach Online Services Home page, select Apply for Certificate which is found under “Online Application”. This will start a new application.
2. Verify/Update Profile
The Verify/Update Profile section will ask for education and employment history. For educational history, provide information from bachelor’s degree to present. For employment history enter all full-time, paid teaching experiences in both public and private schools.
Hunter College is an approved New York Teacher Certification Program. When prompted provide the following information:
- Award Title: Master of Science in Education
- Program Code: 02364 – SCHOOL COUNSELOR
- Major: Education
- Enter all full-time, paid teaching experience (in both public and private schools).
3. Select Certificate(s)
Enter the following information for the certificates section.
- Select your Area of Interest: Administration and Pupil Personnel Services
- Select your Subject Area: School Counseling
- Select the Grade Level: Pre K-12 All Grades
- Select the Title: School Counselor
- Select your Certificate Type: Initial
Students must add each certificate they want to apply for.
Professional Certification: Requirements
The School of Education reserves the right not to recommend for certification any student who has committed a serious breach of professional ethics or behavior. Once candidates have completed three years of counseling experience, they can apply for permanent certification. Candidates who hold a valid or expired provisional certificate may apply for permanent certification.
Candidates seeking permanent certification must fulfill or maintain the following requirements before applying:
1. Maintain fingerprint clearance with the New York State Education Department (NYSED)
All students in programs leading to New York State certification need to have their fingerprints cleared by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
Visit the Fingerprinting for Hunter College School of Education Students to learn how to obtain fingerprint clearance.
2. Complete three years of verified counseling experience
3. Verification of Mentoring
4. Content Specialty Test (CST) School Counseling (if not already completed)
To prepare for this exam, please review the NYSTCE study guides page and the School Counseling Preparation Materials page. To register for this exam, please review the School Counseling CST registration page.
Professional Certification: Application Directions and Program Code
How to Apply for Professional Certification
1. Create/Log in to your TEACH Account
Students must create/log in to their New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Account. From your Teach Online Services Home page, select Apply for Certificate which is found under “Online Application”. This will start a new application.
2. Verify/Update Profile
The Verify/Update Profile section will ask for education and employment history. For educational history, provide information from bachelor’s degree to present. For employment history enter all full-time, paid teaching experiences in both public and private schools.
Hunter College is an approved New York Teacher Certification Program. When prompted provide the following information:
- Award Title: Master of Science in Education
- Program Code: 02364 – SCHOOL COUNSELOR
- Major: Education
- Enter all full-time, paid teaching experience (in both public and private schools).
3. Select Certificate(s)
Enter the following information for the certificates section.
- Select your Area of Interest: Administration and Pupil Personnel Services
- Select your Subject Area: School Counseling
- Select the Grade Level: Pre K-12 All Grades
- Select the Title: School Counselor
- Select your Certificate Type: Professional
Students must add each certificate they want to apply for.
Provisional and Permanent Certification: For Students who Graduated in Fall 2023 or Before
The deadline to apply for the Provisional or Permanent School Counseling certification has passed. Please review guidance and next steps on the NYSED School Counseling certification page.
Checking Certificate Status in TEACH Account
There are two certificate statuses in the TEACH account: “not ready to review” and “ready to review.” Prior to graduation a student’s application is marked “not ready to review.” Once a student has met all the requirements, has institutional recommendation, and their graduation has posted, the status will change to “ready to review.” The New York State Department of Education will then review the application.
Out of State Certification or Licensure
Students applying for certification or licensure in states other than New York must complete the Out of State Certification and Licensure Form.
Hunter International Students (F1 Visa Holder) Certification or Licensure
Registering for New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE)
During the registration process enter all 9s when prompted for your Social Security Number (SSN). Once you do receive a Social Security Number, you will need to fax a copy of your Social Security Number card and Passport to the New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) with a cover letter including your assigned New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) ID number to request they change your temporary Social Security Number replacement with your assigned Social Security Number.
The fax number for New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) is 413-256-7088. Follow up a few days later to ensure they have received your fax. The phone number for New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) is 413-256-2882.
Applying for NYSED TEACH Account without a Social Security Number
You do not need to wait for a Social Security Number (SSN) to create an account on the NYSED TEACH system. If you do not have a valid Social Security Number, you will need to email soeoasa@hunter.cuny.edu to request a TEACH Access Number first. The access number is only for use with TEACH and meeting requirements for New York State teacher certification. If you do get a social security number, you must notify NYSED.
If you apply for OPT the process will generate a Social Security Number which you will use to create your TEACH account and apply for New York State Department of Education teaching certification. You should apply for OPT as soon as you can, but you cannot apply earlier than 90 days before your program completion date.
For general instructions on setting up your NYSED TEACH account, please refer to the Certification and Licensure section on this program page.
New York City Department of Education Employment with OPT once your NYS Certificate has issued
International students cannot apply for employment with New York City Public Schools until they have a Social Security Number (SSN). International students may qualify for employment in New York City public schools once they hold New York State certification and hold an OPT visa. You will be ineligible to apply to work for the New York City Department of Education unless you hold OPT authorization, have a Social Security Number and your New York State certification has issued. Candidates fitting the above criteria may apply online to the New York City Department of Education. Once the application is received and reviewed, further instructions will follow. This policy is subject to change at any time.
Students currently certified in initial or transitional B certificate who will not graduate in time to meet the master’s requirement for their expiring certificate, may be eligible for an extension through the New York State Education Department TEACH Online Services. Create/log in to your TEACH account and select “Apply for a Time Extension.”
Certification Support
If you have questions regarding certification, contact The Office of Academic and Student Affairs (OASA) at soe.oasa@hunter.cuny.edu or meet with the Administrative Advisor for support.