Welcome to the School Counseling Program at Lewis & Clark College

Lewis & Clark is a leader in the field of school counselor preparation. We emphasize a democratic, systemic approach to school counseling that gives you the skills to reach out to students whose needs are not being met, and to involve all members of the community—parents, educators, administrators, peers—in ensuring student success. We will help you transform students’ lives and their opportunities for learning

Our programs focus on collaboration and dialogue in small-class settings. Counselors-in-training also spend substantial time working in schools (including a yearlong placement under the mentorship of an outstanding practicing school counselor), experiencing the continuity of the education system and preparing for licensure across all grades.

Programs

We offer the following for both practicing educators (Track I) and those who do not have a teaching license (Track II):

• Master's in Education
• Licensure Only (Initial)

Candidates begin internship work in the schools during their first semester of coursework, and this on-site involvement continues throughout the program.

Academic philosophy

The School Counseling Program at Lewis & Clark is competency-based, preparing candidates to deliver comprehensive school counseling programs based on the American School Counseling Association National Standards in the areas of academic, career, and personal/social development. Candidates develop close relationships with counselor-practitioners and faculty while learning to promote student, school, and community collaboration through resiliency and asset-based leadership and advocacy. As professional leaders, school counselors recognize education as a community endeavor requiring the best collaborative efforts of students, educators, and community members.

The School Counseling Program continually reviews and improves course offerings to reflect the changing expectations occurring at local, regional, and national levels while maintaining academic and philosophical integrity.

Programs in school counseling at Lewis & Clark are approved and accredited by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC).