The Essential Role of School Counselor Educators/Practicum and Internship Supervisors School counselor educators/practicum and internship supervisors play a critical role in the preparation process. School counselor educators/practicum and internship supervisors must continu- ally expand their knowledge and skills to meet the needs of preparing future school counselors. Certification require- ments for school counselors in education or supervisory roles have increased for both initial certification and continu- ing education to meet this demand. In addition, national professional certifica- tion organizations require continuing in-service training and supervision for individuals in school counselor prepara- tion roles. A CREDENTIALED AND/OR LICENSED PROFESSIONAL All school counselor educators/practi- cum and internship supervisors must minimally hold a master’s degree and meet additional certification require- ments as defined by each state. These degree and certification requirements include the completion of supervised practicum and internship experiences. Many states and accrediting bodies require school counselor educators/ practicum and internship supervisors to have received training in the practice of supervision. esearch shows implementation of a school counseling pro- THE PROFESSIONAL gram, as outlined in “The ASCA National Model: A Frame- DEVELOPMENT NEEDS Rwork for School Counseling Programs” has a positive impact OF SCHOOL COUNSELOR on student achievement. The development and implementation of EDUCATORS/PRACTICUM AND INTERNSHIP SUPERVISORS these programs requires a collaborative effort among well-trained, The professional preparation and con- highly competent school counselors, school administrators, class- tinuing education of school counselor room teachers, school staff and community stakeholders. educators/practicum and internship supervisors include: n Pre-service instruction and supervision in the development of counseling skills and school counseling program curricula n Supervised field experiences and internships in a school setting n In-service seminars and workshops, SCHOOL COUNSELOR preparation of these individuals must which enhance program EDUCATORS/PRACTICUM AND address their role as educational leader, implementation through individual INTERNSHIP SUPERVISORS ALSO: advocate, collaborator and systemic and group supervision n Deliver relevant content within the change agent. School counselor educa- n Appropriate state credentials program of study for school counselor tors/practicum and internship supervi- n Post-master’s study and/or candidates sors must ensure their own professional doctoral degree in school district n Provide individual and group training meets the high standards asked administration, supervision, counselor supervision to school counselors in of the profession. education, counseling psychology or a practice related area n Collaborate in the supervision of RESEARCH ABOUT THE school counseling interns EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL TRAINING AND PREPARATION OF n Coordinate continuing education for COUNSELING SCHOOL COUNSELORS school counselors Research shows school counseling pro- It is essential that future school counsel- n Provide instruction to pre-service grams, as outlined by “The ASCA Na- ors are prepared to implement a school school counselor education students tional Model: A Framework for School counseling that focuses on the needs of in the development of counseling Counseling Programs,” have a positive all students in the academic, career and skills and school counseling program impact on student achievement, career social/emotional development domains. curricula and social/emotional development. Re- The primary responsibility of the school n Provide individual and group sults of research about the effectiveness counselor educator/practicum and supervision to pre-service school of school counseling can be found at internship supervisor is in providing counselor education student schoolcounselor.org/effectiveness. relevant experiences to students pursu- n Provide professional development ing a school counseling credential that opportunities for pre-service and THE ASCA NATIONAL MODEL: develop skills and knowledge in best practicing school counselors, which A FRAMEWORK FOR SCHOOL practices. School counselor educators/ include best-practice topics COUNSELING practicum and internship supervisors For more information about school coordinate and supervise the school SUMMARY counseling programs based on the counseling program at the college/uni- School counselor educators/practicum ASCA National Model, go to versity level to ensure program quality and internship supervisors play a critical schoolcounselor.org/ascanationalmodel. for students in their K–12 educational role in developing individuals who will training. carry out the implementation of a school (Revised, 2019) counseling program. The training and Why School Counselor Educators/Practicum and Internship Supervisors? The development and implementation of school counseling programs requires a collaborative effort among well-trained, highly competent school counselors. School counselor educators/practicum and internship supervisors provide in-service and pre-service instruction and supervision to promote the development and enhancement of school counselor training and pro- fessional development. This ensures school counselors deliver school counseling programs in a comprehensive and systematic manner to all students..