Licensure for PSP CAS Fall

Overview MA Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) Licensure Definitions How to Obtain the Guidance & School Adjustment Counselor Licenses at the Initial Stage The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) How to Upgrade the Guidance Counselor & School Adjustment Counselor Licenses to the Professional Stage Recertification: Renewing a Professional License How to Obtain Additional Licenses a.Guidance Counselor License at an Additional Grade Level b.Additional School Adjustment Counselor License (If you have as Primary License: Guidance Counselor) c.Additional Guidance Counselor License (If you have as Primary License: School Adjustment Counselor) Additional Resources to Obtain Massachusetts Licensure Information

Overview (continued) Interstate Agreement – (Reciprocity) – What Does it Really Mean? Exams Required for Licensure in Other States Additional Resources to Obtain Licensure Information in Other States Interstate Agreement Examples a.California b.New York

MA Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education Licensure Definitions “New” Regulations: School Guidance Counselor license and the School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor license“Primary” License: School Guidance Counselor license and the School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor license stage of the license you will receive upon completing the CAS program and passing the MTEL exam“Initial” License: stage of the license you will receive upon completing the CAS program and passing the MTEL exam “Grade PreK-8 and 5-12” for Guidance Counselors and “All Levels” for the School Adjustment CounselorsGrade Level: “Grade PreK-8 and 5-12” for Guidance Counselors and “All Levels” for the School Adjustment Counselors fieldworkPracticum: fieldwork professional role of the licenseField: professional role of the license valid for 5 years of employment in MA, renewable once.Validity of License: Initial-valid for 5 years of employment in MA, renewable once. valid for 5 years and are to be renewed through the Recertification process every 5 years Professional-valid for 5 years and are to be renewed through the Recertification process every 5 years

Obtaining the Guidance Counselor License at the Initial Stage (See Section Initial Licensure) Master’s in PSP and CAS in Counseling (School Guidance Counselor) Complete All Coursework and Fieldwork Requirements in the 2-Year Guidance Counselor Licensure Track - with Prepracticum plus minimum 450-hour Practicum Pass MTEL - Communication and Literacy Test Note: Grades for Guidance Counselor: PreK-8; 5-12

Obtaining the School Adjustment Counselor License at the Initial Stage (See Initial Licensure) Master’s in PSP and CAS in Counseling (School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor) Complete All Coursework and Fieldwork Requirements in the 2-Year School Adjustment Counselor Licensure Track (minimum 900-hour Practicum --with 450 hours in an educational setting) Pass MTEL - Communication and Literacy Test Note: Grades for SAC: All

General Information Regarding the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Reading 240 / Writing 240 Passing Score: Reading 240 / Writing 240 Test Dates (See MTEL Bulletin Cost Testing Locations- computer based testing option is also available Thumbprint Taken at Test Site Who Has Access to Your Scores- You/DESE/HGSE/Other Institutions Upon Your Request MTEL Prep Resources – Online DESE Gutman Library

Future Planning: Upgrading Your Guidance Counselor License from Initial to Professional (See Section 7.11/ Professional Licensure) 1.Possession of an Initial license as a Guidance Counselor 2.Three years of employment as a School Guidance Counselor 3.Completion of the following: - 60 graduate level credits appropriate to the license ( may include credits earned in a master's degree program for the Initial license in a discipline appropriate to the license sought. Check subject matter knowledge section of the regulations link )

Future Planning: Upgrading Your School Adjustment Counselor License from Initial to Professional (See Professional Licensure) 1.Possession of an Initial license as a School Adjustment Counselor 2.Three years of employment as a School Adjustment Counselor 3.Completion of the following: - 60 graduate level credits appropriate to the license - may include credits earned in a master's degree program for the Initial license in a discipline appropriate to the license sought. Check subject matter knowledge section of the regulations link

Future Planning: Recertification When is it applicable? -The end of the 5 th year of having a Professional license What do you have to do to renew your license? -Obtain 150 PDPs (professional development points) -See Recertification Handouts and View Website at Appendix A: Guidelines - Appendix B: Sample PDP Plan - Appendix D: PDP Options - FAQs -Submit application, Not documents

Obtaining the Guidance Counselor License at an Additional Level (PreK-8 and 5-12) (See / Additional Licensure) / Complete One of the following to gain knowledge of the unique developmental characteristics of the age group of the license you are seeking to add: Child Development Course or Adolescent Development Course -For Additional 5-12 Guidance Counselor License: H-236 Adolescent Development- has been approved by DESE -For Additional PreK-8 Guidance Counselor License: H-250 Developmental Psychology - has been approved by DESE OR A 150-hour practicum/practicum equivalent or internship

How to Obtain an Additional SAC or GC License (See ) Complete One of the following: Complete a State-Approved Licensure Program - Through an Institution ( ) or -Through a District-Based Program ( ) OR Request License Through the MA DESE Panel Review Process

Interstate Agreement -- Reciprocity What Does It Really Mean? -You are NOT Automatically licensed as a Guidance Counselor or a School Adjustment Counselor in another state. Required Research: Investigate licensure options in the state you wish to work – for example, will the state you plan to live in recognize the SAC or will you need to seek a license in Guidance in that state- States Participating in the Interstate (Reciprocity) Agreement found on the HGSE licensure Isite under links to licensure offices

Exams Required for Licensure in Other States State Testing Requirements for Guidance and School Adjustment The Praxis Series (check drop down menu for states using Praxis) /?vgnextoid=48c05ee3d74f4010VgnVCM f95190RCRD& WT.ac=Praxis+Brochure+and+Front+Door

Additional Resources to Obtain Interstate Information NASDTEC Knowledgebase Website: Access to DOE Link for All States on Licensure Isite or: Frequently Used Licensure Websites – Reciprocity Contact Roger Dempsey or Mary Frazier-Davis at or call

California –For Guidance Counselors: Clear School Counseling Credential –Bachelor’s degree –Complete PSP (with 48 credits in School Guidance Counseling) –Fieldwork Requirement: –- Complete 600-hour practicum (2 of 3 school levels) –Note: 150 of the 600 hours devoted to diversity –Letter verifying practicum and the above –MASS School Guidance Counselor license or letter –Pass CBEST or obtain One Year Non-Renewable w/ employment (gives you 1 yr. to take CBEST)

California –For School Adjustment /School Social Worker Counselors: Clear School Counseling Credential –CA does not offer a School Adjustment Counselor credential but does offer the School Social Work credential. –You will need to apply for the School Social Work credential and provide copy of your Mass. License and a letter verifying field experience must be on original, official letterhead from the your department. It must accompany the application packet. –Details found under svcs.htmlhttp:// svcs.html

CBEST: CA Basic Educational Skills Test CBEST required. Please note important information on CA state office schedules: When you apply-All required documents, including application, fingerprint cards, MA license, must be mailed to CA together (keep copies and send certified mail)

New York –For Guidance Counselors: Provisional School Counselor Certificate Need – 1.Bachelor’s degree 2.Complete PSP CAS (in School Guidance Counselor) 3.MASS Guidance Counselor license 4.Fingerprinting 5.No test required 6.Valid for 5 years

New York For School Adjustment Counselors: Provisional School Counselor Certificate NYS does not offer a School Adjustment Counselor certificate. You will need to apply for the Provisional School Counselor Certificate. Your transcript will be scrutinized so understand what NYS wants for certificate to provide evidence you covered what NYS wants. Process Fall/Early Spring - Have fingerprints taken. Early Spring: - Apply for the NY certificate under the “Interstate Reciprocity” pathway. Access the application at Students call (518) re: difficulty applying online June: - Interns mail MA license & supporting documents to NY. (Send certified mail. Keep copies of everything!)