Frequently Asked Questions

• Completion of a master's degree in counseling or related clinical area by the semester before the School Counselor Institute (SCI).
• The degree must be a clinical degree. All candidates must have completed both an internship experience and a practicum experience to meet state requirements.
  • If you have not had a practicum, you must complete one before starting internship
  • Transcripts confirming a practicum enrollment must be submitted.
• Some work-related/licensure activities may allow the practicum to be waived.
  • NIU does not offer practicum courses to students not enrolled in its master's program. If you did not have a practicum or an internship as a part of your clinical master's program, check with an NIU official via e-mail to cahc_admissions@niu.edu.
• Social workers, psychologists or other applicants not currently identifying as a counselor should realize that completing this institute and the requirements result in the development of a school counselor identity. School counselors join school counseling organizations, follow the ethical guidelines of counseling organizations and work from a developmental model in a school setting.
• SCI candidates will know the skills involved in professional counseling, including the ability to build a relationship with a client, apply ethical considerations and understand how to work as a counselor within a clinical setting.
• The institute is limited to 24 participants. Therefore, the admitting committee screens and evaluates all candidates.
• All eligible candidates attend a mandatory online Pre-Admissions Workshop (PAW)
  • Candidates are notified via email of their admittance status soon after the workshop.

After all application materials have been received and reviewed, qualified applicants will receive an invitation to attend the Pre-admission Workshop (PAW). The PAW is an evening group interview event offered late November or early December just prior to the anticipated SCI spring kick-off.

The PAW (or PAW Interview) is required of all applicants to the SCI. Workshop attendees have the opportunity to gain more information about the SCI program, and interact with other prospective SCI participants. During the SCI PAW, you will be able to ask additional questions about SCI curriculum and logistics.

The current SCI fee is $4,200. The SCI covers the equivalent content of five, 16-week, 3-credit hour graduate courses which would typically cost an average of $7,000 at NIU.

Not automatically. The School Counselor Institute (SCI) is a non-credit program. The program fee for the SCI does not cover the cost of graduate-level course credit. Registering for the SCI and paying the institute fee does not include graduate-level course credit.

Participants may receive graduate course credit by paying tuition for the credit and registering for workshop in counseling course hours. Please note that registering for graduate-level course credit is optional, additional, and not required.

The cost per credit hour is set by the Graduate School. The decision to receive graduate course credit for completing them must be decided by the first week of the SCI. Participants who want to register for graduate-level credit will be instructed on how to apply to the NIU Graduate School as a student at large and register during the spring term of the institute. Students can register for 3, 6, or 9 credits. 

Please note that the cost for graduate-level course credit hours is in addition to the cost of the SCI fee. Graduate-level course credit costs are dependent upon University set fees for the semester in which the student is enrolled. Participants can use the NIU Bursar's Calculator to estimate course credit tuition costs.

During the admission process, transcript audits are completed. NIU Counseling faculty determine if participants need additional classes to be eligible for ISBE licensure. If a participant is deficient required course work, they will be contacted and receive, in writing, a request to complete additional coursework that will not be covered in the SCI. The earlier participants complete and submit their application packet to the counseling program, the earlier this decision can be determined. However, decisions about who is accepted into the SCI will not be final until after the Pre-admission Workshop.

Probably not.

ISBE requires that individuals applying for PEL licensure with an endorsement in school counseling complete an identified program, not a collection of separate courses. The SCI is an identified school counselor preparation curriculum program approved by ISBE. There are some additional PEL requirements that are not included in the SCI curriculum. Participants may complete some of those requirements as an NIU student-at-large or through another accredited institution.

The SCI must be completed in its entirety. If you have had coursework in some of the areas, consider it an opportunity for review, and be sure to offer your training and expertise as a part of the SCI. Participants are not allowed to skip any part of the SCI or any SCI assignments. The assignments are what guarantee that participants are completing the required Illinois State standards for School Counselor preparation.

The NIU Bursar's Office tuition estimator may be a helpful resource for calculating approximate costs of your 4-credit hour enrollment in COUN 786 Internship in Counseling as a non-degree seeking student-at-large status. This tool allows you to generate core tuition estimates based on credit hours of enrollment.

You are eligible for advancement to an internship in the fall or spring semester following the SCI. You will need to register for this COUN 786 seminar group supervision course as a student-at-large through the Graduate School and pay tuition for the class (prices will vary according to the rate at the time of registration).

During the school counseling internship, you will complete a minimum of 400 clock-hours (240 as direct services) and register for 4 credit hours. It is feasible to complete a 400 clock-hour internship when it is completed on a full-time basis. You can break the internship into two consecutive semesters (200 clock-hours and 2 credit hours per semester). The rule is that participants must work in the internship setting for a minimum of three consecutive hours in any one day they are on site as a school counselor.

You must have a site supervisor who is endorsed as a Professional School Counselor and has at least two years of experience. You will also be required to pay for graduate-level credit when registering for you internship in the semester following the SCI.

You must find and arrange for your own school internship site. NIU counseling faculty can help make recommendations and site ideas (PDF), but this task is your responsibility. If you are unaffiliated with a school setting, we recommend identifying locations early. However, you may not start your internship until after you have completed the SCI.

Yes, you must have a site supervisor who has a Professional Educators License (PEL) with an endorsement as a Professional School Counselor.

In 2013, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) replaced state teaching certificates with Professional Educator Licenses. All educators receive the same license and receive endorsements based on their areas of expertise. School Counselors receive a Professional Educator License with an Endorsement in School Counseling.

School Counselor Institute (SCI) participants are not admitted into School Counseling Specialization until they have submitted an entitlement request and have completed the requirements for the School Counseling Area of Specialization, including content examination (181 or 235).

• Written application to the counseling program
• Invitation to and attendance at the Pre-Admissions Workshop/Interview
• Completion of all state-required tests (Content 181 or 235 exam)
• Completion of counseling practicum
• Completion of 400 clock hours of school counseling internship in a K-12 school (240  of which is direct service hours)
• Completion of NIU CAHE department internal PEL application (do not apply directly to ISBE)
• Payment to ISBE after all NIU endorsement processes are completed

Consult with ISBE or the SCI coordinator about updates on minimum scores for test required for licensure.

Currently (2022), a minimum score of 240 on all areas of the Content 181 or 235 exams is considered passing. Participants must have taken this test prior to being accepted into internship.

Yes. Each state has its own requirements to become a licensed/certified school counselor, but your master's degree, plus the SCI will make the switch a lot easier. Illinois has an extensive list of requirements, which makes it easier for participants who have earned a degree in Illinois to practice in another state.

It may be beneficial to complete and retain your Illinois school licensure if moving. Learn more about state requirements.