What our graduates say about the CAGS Program

Helen Packey, CAGS
Assistant Professor
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NH

"I have truly enjoyed my CAGS experience. The flexibility and the opportunity to meet new people and to learn from them has been most rewarding. Sarasota has been a great experience so far. Everyone has been helpful, and the professors responsive and supportive, and I have learned a great deal. I might add that I have also worked very hard, maybe too hard in some cases, but I wouldn't change a thing! I can't wait to start the dissertation!"

School Counseling Concentration

Program Coordinator: Dr. Gary Goodnough, e-mail: ggoodno@plymouth.edu
Professor of Counselor Education
B.S.Ed. University of Delaware; M.Ed. and Ph.D. University of Virginia

This flexible program is intended for two distinct groups of counselors who wish to be leaders in the field of school counseling.

1. Counseling professionals who hold a counseling master’s degree that does not meet the educational requirements for New Hampshire certification as a school guidance counselor may be able to meet these requirements through the CAGS strand in School Counseling. This program allows counselors with specializations in other areas such as clinical, human relations or rehabilitation to gain the specialized academic and field experiences required for school guidance counseling.
2. Already certified school counselors. The CAGS contains coursework targeted at leadership issues applicable to school guidance counseling settings. The CAGS strand in School Counseling offers the opportunity for counselors who are already certified to further their education and take specialized coursework in areas that will expand their areas of expertise.

Admission Requirements
There are two additional admissions requirements for the CAGS School Counseling concentration, beyond the standard CAGS requirements. First, prospective students need to meet with the Chair or program coordinator to undergo a curriculum review of candidates’ previous master’s degree to determine initial eligibility for the degree. Second, candidates for admission must have a personal, face-to-face interview with members of the admissions board. After candidates submit their application materials, they can set up an admissions interview by contacting the Counselor Education Administrative Assistant at (603) 535-2636.

Required Courses

Counselor Education Core
CO 7210 Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling - 3 credits
CO 7300 Counseling Supervision - 3 credits
EP 7050 Qualitative Methodology and Applied Research - 3 credits
- OR -
CO 5560 ST: Action Research for School Counselors - 3 credits

School Counseling Specialization
CO 5030 School Counseling - 3 credits
CO 5650 Critical Issues: School Counseling and Special Education - 3 credits
CO 5780 Counseling and Consulting Interventions for Children and Adolescents - 3 credits
HH 5700 Creating Organizational Health - 3 credits
- OR -
EP 7020 Collaborative Leadership - 3 credits

Electives - 6 Credits

Capstone Experience - 6 credits
CO 5850 Seminar and Internship in School Counseling K-12
- OR -
ED 5210 Graduate Practicum
- OR -
ED 5950 Graduate Thesis

Total for CAGS in Educational Leadership, Counselor Education and School Psychology Strand – School Counseling- 33