Niagara University’s school counseling program educates graduate students to become school counselors at the elementary, middle or secondary level. Through intensive course study and field work, students are prepared to create and work within comprehensive and developmental school counseling programs, which focus on the needs of all students in three areas of development: academic, career and personal/social. The school counseling program is 48 credit hours.
The counselor preparation programs in Niagara University’s College of Education are founded on a commitment to developing practitioners and leaders in the counseling field who, in the Vincentian tradition, individually and systemically foster human growth and development, and spiritual and emotional well-being within a culturally diverse context. Graduates of these programs are expected to demonstrate qualities such as caring and respect for self and others, and a commitment to equity, social justice, openmindedness and fairness. Additionally, candidates within these programs are expected to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and ethical standards as set forth by the American School Counselors Association, the American Counseling Association and adopted by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. CACREP, in its 2009 standards, outlines eight core areas of expertise for mental health counselors:
School counselors are vital members of the education team who are skilled at collaborating with students, parents, teachers, administrators and the community. They are leaders and advocates in schools in order to ensure that all students become productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. School counselors promote ethical practices and inspire all students to achieve high academic standards.
