Pennsylvania Initial School Counselor Certification

Initial Pennsylvania School Counselor Certification

Obtaining initial certification as a School Counselor in Pennsylvania (aka. Educational Specialist I) is a structured process, ensuring that aspiring professionals meet the rigorous standards and requirements to serve students effectively. This certification pathway entails a series of educational, experiential, and evaluative benchmarks designed to equip candidates with the requisite knowledge, skills, and ethical foundations essential for the role. From pursuing accredited master’s degrees in School Counseling to completing supervised practicum and internship experiences, alongside passing the Professional School Counseling Praxis exam and fulfilling stringent background check requirements, every aspect of this journey is meticulously outlined to uphold the integrity and quality of School Counseling services within the state.

Education or Degree Requirements

To fulfill the educational requirements for the Educational Specialist I Certificate in School Counseling in Pennsylvania, you must obtain a master’s degree in School Counseling from a department-approved program, and look for accredited institutions offering comprehensive programs covering counseling theories, techniques, and practical experiences. Ensure that the program aligns with Pennsylvania’s certification standards for School Counselors (find and filter school counseling degree programs in Pennsylvania). Some key points to consider:

• Accreditation: Choose a program accredited by relevant accrediting bodies in counseling education, such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
• Curriculum: Research programs that offer a curriculum covering a wide range of topics relevant to School Counseling, including counseling theories, assessment techniques, multicultural counseling, career development, and ethical standards.
• Faculty: Look for programs with experienced and knowledgeable faculty members who are actively engaged in the field of School Counseling. Faculty support and mentorship can greatly enhance your learning experience.
• Clinical Experiences: Seek programs that provide diverse clinical experiences, including practicum and internship opportunities in school settings. These experiences are crucial for gaining hands-on counseling experience under supervision.
• Specialization Opportunities: Consider programs that offer opportunities for specialization in areas of interest within School Counseling, such as working with specific age groups, addressing mental health issues, or focusing on career counseling.

Tips for Success:

• Research Extensively: Take the time to thoroughly research different programs, their curriculum, faculty, and accreditation status. Look for reviews and testimonials from current or former students.
• Network and Seek Guidance: Reach out to School Counselors, faculty members, or professionals in the field for advice and guidance on choosing the right program and navigating the certification process.
• Plan Ahead: Start planning early and make sure to meet all application deadlines for your chosen programs. Prepare all required documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements, well in advance.
• Stay Organized: Keep track of all requirements and deadlines to ensure a smooth application process. Create a checklist or timeline to stay organized and on track with your goals.

Experience Requirements

You must complete supervised counseling practicum experiences totaling sixty (60) clock hours. These experiences should focus on direct service with individuals and groups. Some key points to consider:

• Supervision: Ensure that your practicum experiences are supervised by qualified professionals who can provide guidance and feedback on your counseling skills.
• Direct Service: Engage in direct counseling sessions with clients, both individually and in group settings. Aim to gain experience in conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and implementing counseling interventions.
• Documentation: Keep detailed records of your practicum experiences, including the number of hours completed, types of counseling activities performed, and reflections on your learning and growth.

Following the practicum, you must fulfill a minimum of 300 additional clock hours of internship/supervised field experiences. These experiences should include instructional experience and a specified number of direct service hours with individual and group clients. Here are some specifics:

• Instructional Experience: Engage in activities related to School Counseling beyond direct counseling, such as classroom presentations, workshops, or curriculum development.
• Direct Service Hours: Depending on the level of School Counseling (elementary or secondary), you need to complete a specified number of direct service hours with individual and group clients (70 hours for elementary and 75 hours for secondary).
• Diverse Counseling Opportunities: Seek out internships and field experiences that offer diverse counseling opportunities, allowing you to work with different age groups, cultural backgrounds, and demographics. This will help you broaden your skill set and adapt to various counseling contexts.
• Supervision and Feedback: Ensure that your internship experiences are supervised by qualified professionals who can provide ongoing supervision, feedback, and support as you work towards meeting the certification requirements.

Testing Requirements

The Professional School Counseling Praxis exam is an assessment designed to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for entry-level School Counselors to practice effectively. It aligns with the ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies, which outline the essential mindsets and behaviors for School Counselors serving students from pre-K through grade 12. This exam covers various areas relevant to School Counseling practice. Here are some key details and resources:

• Exam Provider: The exam is provided by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a well-known organization that administers a wide range of standardized tests.
• Exam Name and Code: The exam is officially titled “School Counselor (5422)“.
• Purpose: The exam aims to assess whether candidates possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities for competent professional practice in School Counseling.
• Cost: The cost of taking the exam is $130.00.
• Study Resources: ETS offers free resources to help candidates prepare for the exam. These resources include sample questions, study guides, and tips for studying. You can download these resources from the ETS website.

To register for the exam and obtain more detailed information, you can visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website.

Background Checks

Background checks are required to ensure the integrity and ethical behavior of educators, as stated in Pennsylvania’s Code of Professional Practice and Conduct for Educators. The required background checks include:

Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance

The Department of Human Services (DHS) requires a Child Abuse History Clearance for individuals seeking employment in positions involving direct contact with children (see DHS Child Abuse History Overview). Applicants must provide the necessary forms, complete the clearance process online or via mail, and submit a $13.00 check. Results are typically issued within fourteen (14) days, but replacements are not available after ninety (90) days.

Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check

Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) is essential for potential employees of public and private schools, as well as student-teacher candidates (see PATCH Overview). It’s a web-based tool enabling individuals to apply for a criminal background check. Information is cross-checked with the Pennsylvania State Police Central Repository. If there’s no match, a “No Record” certificate is promptly issued. Conversely, a “Request Under Review” indicates further scrutiny. The status can take up to two (2) weeks to update to “No Record” or “Record.” PATCH caters to both Registered and Non-Registered Users, with the latter limited to ten (10) record checks. Alternatively, applicants can opt for Form SP4-164, available from schools, police barracks, or the police website.  The processing fee of $22 is payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)

Pennsylvania has transitioned to IDEMIA, an electronic fingerprinting vendor, for processing FBI criminal history background checks (see CHRI Overview). This change is in line with Act 114 of 2006, which mandates all prospective employees of public and private schools, including their independent contractors, to undergo background checks. The law also requires student teachers to undergo these checks and present their reports to their higher education institution before field experience. Schools are required to review these reports, including the FBI report, to determine the individual’s fitness to work in a position with contact with children. The PA State Police report has been required since 1986. The applicable processing fee is $23.85.

You can find more information and access the background check processes on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website under the Clearances section. For further inquiries, please reach out to the School Services Office of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. You can contact them via phone at (717)-783-3750 or through email at ra-pde-schoolservice@pa.gov.

Application Process

The application for School Counselor certification in Pennsylvania is exclusively submitted online through the Teacher Information Management System (TIMS).

• To begin the application process, visit the TIMS website.
• Complete the profile and application through the Pennsylvania TIMS portal.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, including transfer credits leading to earned degrees.
• Provide proof of qualifying scores for the Professional School Counselor Exam (ETS Test Code 5422) and GPA.
• Pay the application fee of $200 online via the TIMS portal using VISA, MasterCard, or Discover card. Alternatively, submit the application fee with a U.S. Money Order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

For further assistance with the application process, contact the certification department at (717)-787-3356 or email ra-edcertquestions@pa.gov.