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Professional Licensure and Standards

N.J.A.C. 6A:9-13.8 School Counselor

This section incorporates provisions formerly appearing at N.J.A.C. 6:11-11.11. It establishes the certification for the school counselor. This section has been rewritten and reorganized for clarity and includes the following changes:

The name of the certificate has changed from Student Personnel Services to School Counselor (N.J.A.C. 6A:9-13.8);

The functions of a school counselor have been defined (N.J.A.C. 6A:9-13.8(a));

A master’s degree and a supervised counseling practicum are now required (N.J.A.C. 6A:9-13.8(b));

Additional study in counseling and study in statistics and research methods have been added (N.J.A.C. 6A:9-13.8(b)2v);

Candidates who complete a master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university that meets the standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs may be issued standard certificates (N.J.A.C. 6A:9-13.8(c));

The requirement for a teaching certificate and classroom teaching experience has been eliminated; and

Provisions for emergency certification have been defined (N.J.A.C. 6A:9-13.8(d)).

6A:9-13.8 School counselor

(a) The school counselor endorsement authorizes the holder to perform school counseling services such as study and assessment of individual pupils with respect to their status, abilities, interest and needs; counseling with administrators, teachers, students, and parents regarding personal, social, educational, and vocational plans and programs; and developing cooperative relationships with community agencies in assisting children and families. The certificate holder is authorized to perform these duties in grades preschool through 12.

(b) To be eligible for the standard educational services certificate with a school counselor endorsement, a candidate must hold a master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and complete one of the following:

1. A Department-approved graduate curriculum in school counseling; or
2. A minimum of 48 graduate semester hour credits in the following areas:

i. Counseling: minimum of 18 semester hours that must include study in theory and procedures of individual and group counseling, counseling and interviewing techniques and career counseling;

ii. Testing and evaluation: minimum of three semester hours;

iii. Psychology: minimum of six semester hours in study related to child and adolescent psychology, psychology of exceptional children and psychology of learning;

iv. Sociological foundations: minimum of six semester hours that must include study in community agencies, organizations and resources and multicultural counseling;

v. Statistics and research methods: minimum of three semester-hour credits;

vii. Supervised counseling practicum in a school setting: minimum of six credits; and

viii. The remaining six semester hours of study may be chosen from among the topics listed in (b)2i through vii above or education.

(c) A candidate who has completed a master’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university whose school counseling program meets the standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) will be issued a standard school counselor certificate.

(d) The Office may issue an emergency certificate upon the request of the county superintendent to a candidate who meets the following requirements:

1. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university; and
2. Fifteen graduate semester hour credits in guidance/counseling.

(e) Applicants in possession of a written evaluation completed by the Office prior to January 20, 2004 will have five years from January 20, 2004 to complete the requirements set forth in the written evaluation.