All school counselors in the B.C. public school system are qualified teachers.  After achieving certification as a teacher and gaining experience in the classroom, the next step is to pursue a Master’s degree in counselling psychology. If you are already a teacher, see the Admission Requirements page.

Our graduates successfully seek certification by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association as Certified Canadian Counsellors or by the B.C. Association of Clinical Counsellors as a Registered Clinical Counsellors.  More information about certification by these professional associations can be found on their websites.

Both the MA and the MEd provide the same amount and quality of clinical training.  Students in both programs complete their first supervised counselling experience (the Supervised Clinic courses) together at the SFU Surrey Counselling Centre (SCC). 

The SFU SCC is the training centre associated with the program.  While at the centre, students provide counselling, under close supervision by program faculty, to a small number of clients (ranging from elementary school aged children through adults, depending on students’ interests and experience). Upon successful completion of the two terms of clinics, students in both versions of the program then complete two terms of counselling practicum. 

During the practicum terms, MA and MEd students spend 2-3 days per week at a practicum site (e.g., community counselling agency, public school, college or university counselling centre) and attend a weekly evening seminar together on campus.

• EDUC 862-3 INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT IN COUNSELLING

  Assessment procedures used in educational and community counselling settings, including intake assessment, case conceptualization, observational procedures, diagnostic categories, ethics, bias and multicultural and diversity issues. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the MA/MEd counselling psychology program or permission of instructor. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

• EDUC 870-3 THEORIES OF COUNSELLING

  Students examine analytic, phenomenological, existential, behavioral and cognitive approaches to counselling, and the philosophical and personality theories upon which they are based. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the MA/MEd counselling psychology program or permission of instructor. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

• EDUC 874-5 COUNSELLING SKILLS AND STRATEGIES

  Counselling skills and strategies are analysed, practiced, and critically examined. Counsellor decision-making, counselling effectiveness, and professionalism in counselling are also considered. Prerequisite: EDUC 870.

• EDUC 872-3 ETHICS IN COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY

  Issues related to foundational ethical principles and systems, professional and legal standards for counselling psychology, review of ethics codes, ethical decision-making, and other topics including professional boundaries, competence, service across cultures, social justice, consulting and private practice, and ethical guidelines around evaluation, assessment, supervision, and research.

• EDUC 877-3 CONTEMPORARY SCHOOL COUNSELLING

  An examination of contemporary approaches to school counselling. Program development, consultation skills, counselling interventions in school counselling are considered.

  This is a core course for MEd students.

MA students are encouraged to begin exploring thesis ideas and meeting with their senior supervisor to discuss research ideas as early as possible in the program.

• EDUC 799-3 SUPERVISED COUNSELLING CLINIC I

  An initial clinical course where students develop their basic and beginning counselling skills and increase their conceptual understanding of theoretical perspectives of counselling through practice, including counselling processes and case conceptualizations. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: EDUC 870, 874. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

• EDUC 864-5 RESEARCH DESIGNS IN EDUCATION

  Designing and interpreting research about education. Introduction to survey techniques, correlational designs, classic experimental and evaluation designs for investigating causal relations, case study methods, interpretive approaches to research. EDUC 864 is sometimes offered in other terms and may be completed in a different term or year if this works with program requirements and the student's schedule.

• EDUC 873-3* CAREER COUNSELLING
  MA/MED STUDENTS COMPLETE ONE OF EDUC 871 OR EDUC 873.

  An examination of contemporary approaches to career counselling.
  * This elective availability may change from year to year.

• EDUC 800-3 SUPERVISED COUNSELLING CLINIC II

  An advanced clinical courses where students further develop their counselling skills and increase their conceptual understanding of theoretical perspectives of counselling through practice, including counselling processes and case conceptualizations. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: EDUC 799. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

• EDUC 878-5 GROUP COUNSELLING

  An examination of contemporary approaches to group counselling. Students with credit for EDUC 720 may not take this course for further credit. Prerequisite: EDUC 874.

• EDUC 871-3* FAMILY COUNSELLING
  MA, MED STUDENTS COMPLETE ONE OF EDUC 871 OR EDUC 873

  Students discuss models of family dynamics and instructional interventions applicable by school personnel in family counselling interactions. Concepts and techniques will be explicated through discussion and simulation. Prerequisite: EDUC 870.
  * This elective availablility may change from year to year.

  MA students: Continued discussions with your thesis supervisor; completion of thesis proposal; ethics approval for thesis research. Data collection usually begins before the end of 2nd year.

  In Year 2, MA and MEd students secure practicum placements for the fall & spring of Year 3. Placements begin in January and are completed in June. The first practicum will begin in September, and the second in January the following year.

• EDUC 801-1.5 COUNSELLING PRACTICUM I

  Supervised clinical experience for students enrolled in the MEd or MA Counselling Psychology Program. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: EDUC 800. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

• EDUC 802-1.5 COUNSELLING PRACTICUM II

  Advanced supervised clinical experience for students enrolled in the MEd or MA Counselling Psychology Program. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: EDUC 801. Students must successfully complete a Criminal Record Check.

• EDUC 883-5 MED COMPREHENSIVE EXAM

  The examination is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

• EDUC 898-18 MASTER'S THESIS

  The thesis is a research investigation designed to generate and/or examine critically new knowledge in the theory and/or practice of education. The thesis should normally be completed and approved in three terms. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

  MEd students prepare for and complete the Comprehensive Examination in the final term.

  MA students continue to work on their thesis throughout Year 3. Upon completion of the thesis to the satisfaction of the supervisory committee (8th term or later), MA students proceed to a Thesis Examination.