FAIRFIELD, Connecticut – Sacred Heart University’s new Master of Arts school counseling program has received approval from the Connecticut Department of Education and will launch this summer. It is offered by the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development (FCEHD) and will be online with the exception of two on-campus residencies.
School Counseling Program Director Sandra (Sandi) Logan-McKibben has been developing the curriculum since 2020. “We have built the program so that it has not only received state recognition, but is also ready for national accreditation with the Council for Accreditation of Counseling is related educational programs,” she said, adding that national accreditation is only granted after the first cohort of students graduate. “Our programming was created to serve a national audience as quickly as possible.”
SHU’s Masters in School Counseling will meet or exceed the academic and fieldwork experiences most states require for certification and accreditation, Logan-McKibben said. For example, while many states require 400 hours of internship for accreditation and the national requirement is 600 hours, Connecticut – and with it SHU – requires 700 hours.
The 60-credit program incorporates hands-on experience and a modern curriculum to produce competent, ethical, effective, and data-driven school counselors who are committed to social justice and are leaders. Graduates will be prepared to support PK-12 students in academic development, college and career readiness, and social-emotional learning and development.
A unique factor is a one-of-a-kind video series developed by Logan-McKibben entitled Voices from the Field, which features discussions with school counselors from around the country, including the last five School Counselor of the Year award winners.
The program also requires students to complete two week-long residencies at SHU. The first residency focuses on developing individual counseling skills so graduates know how to listen, reflect and counsel students effectively. The second focuses on expanding skills to facilitate group counseling and large presentations.
“Our goal is to provide curricula and enable learning experiences that prepare the next generation of school counselors to tackle the multifaceted role and daily challenges of finding the best service for students, families and communities,” said Logan-McKibben . The summer and fall admission cycles allow students to join when the time is right for them.
“We are incredibly excited to launch our new Masters-in-School Counseling Program this summer,” said Michael Alfano, FCEHD Dean and Vice Provost for Strategic Partnerships. “The program director, Dr. Sandi Logan-McKibben, is a national authority on school guidance and has worked with her peers to create a comprehensive and innovative curriculum. There is no doubt that it will prepare professionals for a rewarding career in school counseling.”
About Sacred Heart University
As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England and one of the fastest growing private doctoral institutions in the United States, Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs at its Fairfield, Connecticut campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the university’s nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; communication, media & art; social work; Computer Science & Engineering; health professions; the Isabelle Farrington College for Education and Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology; the dr Susan L Davis, RN, & Richard J Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent’s College. Sacred Heart differs from other Catholic institutions because it was founded and run by lay people. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and liberal arts while cultivating students into thought leaders who bring about change – in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 388 Colleges–2023 Edition and Best Business Schools–2023 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to award-winning NPR-affiliated radio station WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theater. www.sacredheart.edu
