Alternative Certification Program: School Counseling Certification
Overview
The Alternative Certification Program (ACP) in School Counseling prepares highly competent professionals who can respond to the lifespan mental health needs of a multicultural community. Students who complete the ACP program are prepared to be an integral part of the academic services in P‐16 schools and trained to facilitate the growth and learning of students by providing services in guidance curriculum, responsive services, individual planning, and systems support. Students will be prepared to provide direct services to students and coordinate services with programs and agencies within the school and in the community. The program provides a path towards earning the State Board of Educator Certification issued School Counselor Certification.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the in School Counseling Certification program, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health counseling or closely related field.
- GPA of at least 3.0 in the master’s program.
- Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a former professor.
- Personal statement detailing professional goals and reasons for pursuing school counselor certification.
- Resume including educational background and work experience.
- Personal interview (Upon completing application).
- Cleared Criminal background check.
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.
Appeal Process for Students Denied Admission
Students who are denied admission for any reason may appeal to the Counseling Department Appeals Committee in the following manner:
- File a letter of appeal to the committee for consideration in the next regular semester.
- Provide an essay that details significant life events, with an emphasis on achievements and responsibilities that would indicate an ability to undertake graduate work and a probability for success in the field of counseling.
- Complete an interview with the Counseling Department Appeals committee. The Appeals committee may accept the appeal, deny the appeal, or accept the appeal with conditions (e.g., additional academic work, personal counseling, and/or similar experiences).
Admitted Students
Students are expected to abide by all counseling-related ethical codes and legal statutes, including but not limited to those set forth by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), American Counseling Association, the American School Counseling Association, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists, the Association for Specialists in Group Work, the Texas State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors, as well as any others associated with the type of counseling intervention being provided. Failure to comply with ethical standards will result in consequences deemed appropriate by the Counseling program faculty, including dismissal from the program.
Progression Requirements
A student must earn a ‘B’ or better in every course. In the event that a student does not meet the aforementioned requirement, the student must seek advisement to schedule the course repeat.
Students earning more than two Cs during the program may be exited from the program.
Counseling candidates must successfully complete benchmarks to ensure progress through the program. Benchmarks include:
- A satisfactory rating on fitness to practice conducted each semester by faculty team meeting (students who receive unsatisfactory ratings may be placed on a growth plan with recommendations to successfully improve in the program; see the counseling student handbook and program website for the full text of this this policy and the EPP exit policy).
- Successful completion of the TExES 252 Practice Examination with a 80%.
- Complete Empowered Educator Modules with a minimum score of 80%
- Complete Special Education Modules with a minimum score of 80%
- Complete Dyslexia: A TEA Professional Learning course with a minimum score of 80%.
- Successful completion of the TExES 252 Examination.
- Have a complete school counseling portfolio with all required documentation in an electronic management system. The Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability (OEPA) will review and approve school counseling students’ school counseling portfolio.
Program Requirements
Required Courses - 15 Hours
Total Credit Hours: 15