University of Alaska Fairbanks

1996-1997 catalog

Degrees and Programs


Guidance and Counseling

College of Liberal Arts
School of Education
(907) 474-7341

Degree: M.Ed.

Minimum Requirements for Degree: M.Ed.: 42 credits

The M.Ed. program in Elementary and Secondary School Guidance and Counseling trains professional school counselors for the multicultural school settings. The purpose of this program is to prepare counselors at the graduate level with specific training in the areas of counseling and consultation for educational, social, and vocational decisions. The program prepares school counselors in the areas of developmental guidance, individual and group counseling, consultation, and program development. Supervised practicum and internships in the school setting are required.

Students who are applying for the Type A licensure option must have an Alaska Teaching License or the equivalent of a University of Alaska Bachelor of Education Degree with a GPA of 3.0 in the major.

Students who are applying for the Type C licensure option must have a bachelor's degree in one of several helping professions areas, i.e. psychology, social work, etc.

Acceptance into the Guidance and Counseling program is also based on consideration of the following criteria: clarity of goals appropriate to those of the program and commitment to working in multicultural settings.

Graduate Degree Requirements

Guidance and Counseling M.Ed. Degree

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate School which include the Graduate Record Examination, the student must apply for admission to and be accepted by the program area faculty. Admission to the Guidance and Counseling program requires a bachelor degree in a human service area such as Education, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, etc. Suitability of other degrees will be considered on an individual basis by Guidance and Counseling faculty.

  1. Complete UAF degree requirements.
  2. Complete 47 credits in approved courses and research.
  3. Pass a written comprehensive examination.
  4. Complete a research project or thesis.
  5. Make an oral presentation of project or thesis to committee and colleagues.
  6. Complete practicum and internship placements in an elementary or secondary setting, depending upon interest.

NOTE: Courses assigned by the student's graduate committee to remove deficiencies will not be allowed as part of the graduate program.

Course Requirements (Elementary or Secondary Counseling):

  • Required Courses (47 credits)
    COUN 610 Culture and the Counselor (1)
    COUN 611 Theory Building for Counselors (1)
    COUN 615 Foundations of Guidance and Counseling (3)
    COUN 623 Counseling Theory and Applications (3)
    COUN 628 Child and Adolescent Psychology (3)
    COUN 629 Developmental Interventions (3)
    COUN 634 Practicum in Individual Counseling (3)
    COUN 636 Practicum in School Counseling (3)
    COUN 646 School Counseling (3)
    COUN 647 Professional Ethics (3)
    COUN 660 Cross-Cultural Counseling (3)
    COUN 674 Group Counseling (3)
    COUN 690 Internship (3-6)
    COUN 698 Research Project (3-6)      or COUN 699 Thesis (6) (3-6)
    PSY 635 Field-Based Research Methods      or ED 601 Intro. to Ed. Research      or PSY/SOC 473 Social Science Research Methods (3)
    Total Required credits (41 credits)
  • Elective credits (6)
  • Total program credits (47 credits)

Type A Licensure Program

Licensed teachers who currently hold master's degrees in education may elect to enter a program which will qualify them for Alaska guidance and counseling endorsement. The practicum and internship placements will be elementary or secondary depending upon the licensure sought. Any teacher wishing to become licensed through the University of Alaska Fairbanks must apply for admission to the Guidance and Counseling Program, be accepted, and complete 12 credit hours in residence.

Certification Requirements:

  • Minimum Course Requirements:
    COUN 615 Foundations of Guidance and Counseling (3)
    COUN 623 Counseling Theories and Applications (3)
    COUN 628 Child and Adolescent Psychology (3)
    COUN 629 Developmental Interventions (3)
    COUN 634 Practicum in Individual Counseling (3)
    COUN 636 Practicum in School Counseling (3)
    COUN 646 School Counseling (3)
    COUN 660 Cross-Cultural Counseling (3)
    COUN 674 Group Counseling (3)
    COUN 690 Internship (3-6)
  • Total Required Hours (30 credits)