Professional School Counseling

Bachelor of Science and Master of Education (BS/MEd)

Learn how to guide students.

Study School Counseling at Lancaster Bible College

If you have a desire to partner with and walk alongside adolescents during critical times of transitional development, why not become a school counselor? School counselors provide support to K-12 students and make a direct, tangible impact on their lives.

In LBC’s professional school counseling program, you can earn both your undergraduate and graduate degree in just five years  – all while learning from experienced, caring and creative professionals with years of experience in the field.

Our rigorous program gives students the chance to integrate their faith into their studies formally through our Bible classes and informally through one-on-one interaction with our caring and deeply committed Christian professors. Students at LBC also get the chance to practice the skills they learn in the classroom in real-world settings, like internships and practicums, and experience school counseling in both private and public settings. Lancaster Bible College’s school counseling program is uniquely Christ-focused – and that makes all the difference to our students and the students’ they’ll eventually care for.

Our Master’s of Education in school counseling program is a 48-credit program, focusing on student and program development that implements an American School Counselor Association model. Upon graduation, our students are ready to enter the field and will have over 700 internship hours, emphasizing our deeply held belief in the benefits of practical experience. Our program will also assist you with meeting the requirements for licensure in Pennsylvania. At Lancaster Bible College, we’re passionate about training future school counselors to be able to make data-driven decisions to solve real-world problems.

Childhood and adolescence is by definition change-oriented. Help students adjust to these changes by becoming a school counselor.

Why Study School Counseling at LBC?

  • Earn both your undergraduate and graduate degrees in as little as five years.
  • Earn either your Pennsylvania public school certification or Pennsylvania license for professional counseling.
  • Earn your master’s in school counseling (M.Ed.) from an accredited Bible college.
  • Learn how to provide guidance and counseling to students who need it.
Your Journey

Program Credits: 150

Locations: Lancaster


Degree

Bachelor of Science and Master of Education with majors in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling and Biblical Studies
Learn about licensure/certification for this major.


Internships
Here are some examples of internships completed by students in the past:

  • School Counselor in Private School
  • School Counselor in Public School

Options

  • Traditional
  • Online & Evening (Adult Education)
  • Available as Minor

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7

A Closer Look: School Counseling

Ryan Kuehner.

Get an overview of Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School’s counseling programs, hear from our faculty and students in the counseling programs, and see if LBC | Capital is where God is leading you.

Meet the Faculty

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1

Melissa Boas, MEd

Assistant Professor; Director for Professional School Counseling & BS Psychology Programs

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1

Day Butcher, EdD

Assistant Professor

“Teachers possess the power to create conditions that can help students learn a great deal or keep them from learning much at all.” Parker, P. J. (2007). The courage to teach: Exploring the inner landscape of a teacher’s life.” – San Francisco: Jossey Bass/Wiley

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1

Sean Dougherty, MEd/MS

Associate Provost for Student Success

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1

Jon Shacklett, MA

Assistant Professor

“We can get beyond merely embracing the tensions between piety and learning by fostering a piety for learning, by becoming the kind of people who see deeply into the reality of things and who love that reality–for the Savior who shed his blood for us also descended into the deep places of the creation so that he might fill all things. Jesus not only rules over every square inch of the creation, he also loves those square inches.” -Richard Mouw

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Sample Course Outline

PCN 122 – Group Experience & Self-Evaluation

The course provides students with an in depth self-evaluation for both personal development and professional development for the human services field. Student learning occurs through in-class instruction and group participation during class. The teaching method is experiential in nature. The course consists of an off campus weekend seminar during the first semester of the freshman year. Students will be required to read a textbook on spiritual formation and complete a reflection journal post seminar.

PCN 123 – Introduction to the Counseling Profession

This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop an overview perspective to the helping profession focusing specifically on the areas of school counseling and professional counseling. It will explore the purpose, function, core values, and knowledge base unique to professional counseling, including a history of the field, an overview of therapeutic interventions and what the role of a professional counselor looks like as an occupation. In the realm of professional counseling concepts such as: an introductory level discussion concerning professional counseling theory and intervention, personality theory, how to approach a client, and career options. Also, the course will address historical perspectives of school counseling, the nature of the profession; the new leadership role for the professional school counselor; the ASCA model of comprehensive services; the responsive services of the school counselor; and what school counseling will look like in the future. Class activities and discussions, written assignments, and quizzes will assess student knowledge of course material. Instructional PowerPoint lectures will serve as the primary teaching modality.

PCN 201 – Systems of Counseling I: Christian

This course examines the history of Christian counseling as it relates to the integration of theology and psychology. Consideration is given for the broad range of approaches including: biblical counseling, levels-of-explanation, integration, and Christian psychology. Course content includes study and application of the principles and methods for effective biblical change

PCN 212 – Systems of Counseling II: Psychology

This course surveys the various psychological systems of counseling beginning with the early pioneers extending to the most recent therapeutic methodologies. Consideration is given for an eclectic approach that utilizes a foundational methodology with intervention strategies from various schools of thought.

PCN 351 & 352 – Therapy Lab 1 & 2

The course will meet for one class at the beginning of the semester wherein students will be informed of the process of Therapy Lab. Each student will be paired with a therapist. Therapist and student will meet together for 10 one hour appointments throughout the semester. Goals and objectives will be developed by the student facilitated through the counselor and followed through during the course of therapy. Students will benefit from the two-fold approach of this course: provide client experience of therapy and provide opportunity for the student to work through their own life difficulties and personal development issues. Professional and ethical confidentiality will be maintained throughout.

PSC 555 – Group Counseling in the Schools

This is a clinical course designed to give students didactic and experiential introduction to theory, practice, and treatment in group counseling. The course will cover the theoretical foundations of group counselling and group work, contemporary theories, and group counseling leadership skills including group selection, group formation, group interventions, and group evaluation.

PSC 521 – Foundations of School Counseling and Program Planning

This course will provide a foundation for understanding the academic needs of all students Pre-K-12, their families, schools and communities and the role of the school counselor in facilitating their academic, career, and personal-social success. Students will be introduced to the ASCA National Model: A framework for school counseling programs.

PSC 526 – Collaboration, Consultation and Coordination

Students will develop an understanding of the importance of teaming and collaboration in the development, implementation and evaluation of the school counseling program and in facilitating change in school expectations, climate, policy and practice to better meet the needs of students.

PSC 556 – Career Development in the Schools

This course will equip students to understand, assess and apply career development theory in school and counseling settings in terms of career stewardship development. Students will examine and contribute to a curriculum of interventions to teach others to plan and serve faithfully in the contemporary world of work with the talents entrusted to them. This course introduces the student through hands-on learning to the use of career and vocational assessment tools commonly used in career counseling. Concepts and theories concerning the planning and preparation for vocations provide background information in regards to the use of these assessment tools.

 

PSC 601 – Professional Service I in School Counseling

Students will participate in school counseling practice experiences that provide for the application of theory and the development of counseling skills under supervision. The Professional Service I experience will provide students the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities to provide counseling services for a diverse population of students. The student will participate in a minimum of 250 hours of field work in addition to classroom based assignments with a minimum of 100 direct student service hours.

PSC 535 – Exceptional Students: Population, Policies, & Procedures

This course is designed to prepare the school counselor to identify the variety of students included in the exceptional student populations and their special needs. The schools are required by law(s) to offer services for all these populations. The school counselor will learn the policies and procedures to provide these services in the classroom, through the school counselor’s office, and from each of the service agencies involved in a potential IEP.

PSC 523 – Leadership and Advocacy in Education

School Counselors serve as leaders within the educational context. This course will examine various models of effective educational leadership, the role of the school counselor in effecting change and the development of strategies for advocating for the needs of diverse and multicultural students, families, schools and communities.

PSC 602 – Professional Service II in School Counseling

In this capstone course students will complete a 600 hour supervised internship experience that provides the opportunity to demonstrate the ability to design and implement a comprehensive school counseling program at each grade level (K-4, 5-8, and 9-12). Students will provide individual and group counseling, classroom guidance lessons, and systemic advocacy interventions. Students will receive supervision and performance review as part of this course.

Objectives

In as little as five years, you can earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree and begin working with students in an educational setting as a professional school counselor. Complete the coursework necessary to apply for a Pennsylvania public school certification in School Counseling or a Pennsylvania license for professional counseling.

Careers and Jobs in School Counseling

  • School Counselor – K-12
  • Crisis Counselor
  • Family Counselor

What’s your next step?