Gwynedd Mercy University 2026-2027 University Catalog
The post-graduate PreK – 12 School Counseling Certification program is a 48-credit program that offers graduates with a master ' s degree( from an accredited institution of higher education) a pathway to certification as a PreK – 12 School Counselor in the State of Pennsylvania. Students must complete the required course work and pass the appropriate Praxis test to become certified. Students must complete a minimum of 24 credits at Gwynedd Mercy University. Up to 24 credits of required Pennsylvania Department of Education certification competencies can be waived based on the student’ s prior graduate-level coursework.
Clinical Mental Health Certificate program The post-graduate Clinical Mental Health Certificate program is designed for graduates of Gwynedd University’ s Master in School Counseling program( online; 48 credits between 2014 – 2018). This certificate program requires 12 credits of graduate counseling courses( including a 200-hour internship in a clinical mental health setting over one term) and offers students the additional credits required to sit for the NCE and seek licensure as a professional counselor( LPC) in the State of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania PreK – 12 School Counseling Certification: The Pennsylvania Department of Education approves the School Counseling concentration of the MS in Counseling degree program and the PreK – 12 School Counseling post-graduate program as programs leading to a Pennsylvania certification as a PreK – 12 school counselor.
Program Learning Outcomes: PLO1 Students will demonstrate knowledge of ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.( 3. A. 10) PLO2 Students will demonstrate knowledge of the impact of heritage, attitudes, beliefs, understandings, and acculturative experiences on an individual’ s views of others.( 3. B. 2) PLO3 Students will demonstrate knowledge of ethical and culturally relevant strategies for promoting resilience and optimum development and wellness across the lifespan.( 3E. C. 7,11) PLO4 Students will demonstrate knowledge of strategies for career development program planning, organization, implementation, administration, and evaluation.( 3. D. 6.) PLO5 Students will demonstrate knowledge of essential interviewing, counseling, and case conceptualization skills.( 3. E. 3,9) PLO6 Students will demonstrate knowledge of approaches to group formation, including recruiting, screening, and selecting members.( 3. F. 5) PLO7 Students will demonstrate knowledge of the use of assessments for diagnostic and intervention planning purposes.( 3. G. 7.) PLO8 Students will demonstrate knowledge of the analysis and use of data in counseling.( 3. H. 1, 3. H. 6) PLO9 Clinical Mental Health Students will demonstrate understanding of techniques and interventions for prevention and treatment of a broad range of mental health issues.( 5. C. 5) PLO10 School Counseling Students will demonstrate knowledge of the school counselor roles as leaders, advocates, and systems change agents in P – 12 schools.( 5. H. 6.)
Degree Core Curriculum and Concentration: The Master of Science in Counseling is built around a Core Curriculum that is the basis for the program’ s areas of concentration. The Core Curriculum is designed to develop the student’ s counseling knowledge and skills that can be applied in a variety of counseling settings. The Core Curriculum’ s generic nature provides an excellent foundation for those students seeking to pursue doctoral studies.
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