School Counselor Institute

Since 2005, the School Counselor Institute (SCI) has included a program of prerequisite courses and testing required for professional educator licenses with endorsement in School Counseling with the Illinois State Board of Education. People who have earned master's degrees in counseling or counseling-related degree field can complete the SCI program in an expedited time frame. Teachers looking to become endorsed as a professional school counselor and do not already hold a master's degree in mental health counseling are not eligible for the School Counselor Institute (SCI): You would be eligible for our Master's Degree in Counseling with specialization in School Counseling.

Institute participants are engaged in a comprehensive professional school counselor program that is founded on social justice and advocacy-centered practices of professional counseling. Individuals with a solid professional counselor identity are engaged in the development or enhancement of their School Counselor identity and practices to support the mental health and emotional needs of K-12 aged persons.

Professional school counselors work collaboratively with teachers, principals, parents, school staff and community partners. The SCI is designed to equip emerging school counselors, working from a variety of theoretical and evidence-informed frameworks to deliver comprehensive and culturally responsive school counseling programming including social, emotional, mental and academic development of the whole person.

School Counseling Learning Content

  • Post-secondary college and career counseling for school counselors
  • Counseling with children
  • Consultation and management of developmental school counseling programs
  • School counseling: programs, issues and practices
  • Multiculturalism and social justice in school counseling

Classroom-based Learning Content

  • Classroom management
  • Curriculum and climate in school settings
  • Child and adolescent development
  • Social and emotional wellness
  • English language learners
  • Literacy support
  • Laws and programing for needs of exceptional children

School Counseling Content Test

Students must successfully complete the School Counseling Content Test (Test 181 or 235) at least one semester before the internship. We suggest taking the content test as early as possible. Failure to pass this test could require postponement of the internship.

Internship in School Counseling

We define an internship as a supervised learning experience designed to provide students with opportunities to implement, in an actual work setting, the knowledge and theory acquired in their coursework. It is the responsibility of the student, in consultation with the SCI coordinator, to pursue intensive school counseling internship site placements able to provide the diverse and comprehensive experience needed for a successful internship. The 400 clock-hour School Counseling internship is completed through SAL enrollment in COUN 786 after the SCI curriculum program.

Application Information

Learn How to Apply

Applications are being accepted for the January 2024 SCI cohort.

Upcoming Events

Contact Us

TJ Schoonover, SCI Coordinator
sc-institute@mail.niu.edu

Kimberly A. Hart, Admissions Coordinator
cahc_admissions@niu.edu
815-753-5749

Department of Counseling and Higher Education
cahe@niu.edu
815-753-1448

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