1. 1. Rationale. Certification in school counseling is at the Class A level. This Rule highlights those elements distinctive to the school counseling program. These standards build upon the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards, ISTE Standards, and Alabama Specific Standards. The standards are consistent with the Praxis School Counselor Assessment. The study of school counseling begins at the Class A level.  Implementation of the standards will be in the Alabama Continuous Improvement guidance.

2. 2. Unconditional Admission for a School Counseling Program. Requirements for unconditional admission shall include:

   1. a. A valid bachelor’s- or valid master’s-level professional educator certificate in a teaching field or valid master’s-level professional educator certificate in another area of instructional support. If an individual is unconditionally admitted to an Alabama Class A program based on a valid bachelor’s- or master’s-level professional educator certificate from another state, completes a Class A program, and subsequently applies for Alabama certification at the Class A level, then the individual must hold at least a valid Class B Professional Educator Certificate before applying for Class A certification.
   2. b. Experience: one full year of full-time, acceptable P-12 professional educational work experience.

3. 3. Program Curriculum. The curriculum shall require coursework, key assessments, and field experiences in the following areas:

   1. a. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop skills and abilities in professional counseling orientation and ethical practice.
   2. b. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop skills and abilities in social and cultural identities and experiences.
   3. c. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop skills and abilities in lifespan development.
   4. d. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop skills and abilities in career development.
   5. e. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop skills and abilities in counseling practice and relationships.
   6. f. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop skills and abilities in group counseling and group work.
   7. g. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop skills and abilities in assessment and diagnostic processes.
   8. h. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop skills and abilities in research and program evaluation.
   9. i. Prior to program completion, candidates will have time to develop skills and abilities in P-12 school counseling.

   10. j. Unique Field Experiences, Practica, and Internship Placement Requirements.

       1. i. Practicum. A practicum of at least 100 clock hours in a school-based setting, including a minimum of 40 clock hours of supervised, direct service work in individual and group counseling with early childhood/elementary and secondary school students.
       2. ii. Internship. Competence to perform all the activities that a school counselor is expected to perform as demonstrated in a supervised elementary and secondary school-based internship of at least 600 clock hours, begun after the completion of the practicum, including a minimum of 240 clock hours in direct service work with early childhood/elementary and secondary school students. Internships in P-12 schools must be supervised by individuals who hold a valid master’s level professional educator certificate in school counseling and who are employed as a school counselor.

4. 4. Requirements for Class A Certification in School Counseling. Readiness to serve as a school counselor shall include:

   1. a. An official transcript from an accredited institution documenting an earned master’s degree in school counseling. Institution must be approved at the time of degree conferral.
   2. b. Satisfactory completion of a program for school counseling approved by the Alabama State Board of Education with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all courses in the program.
   3. c. A Survey of Special Education course is required if not previously completed. The course may not be older than 10 years unless the candidate has teaching experience within the last 5 years, or he/she used the course for prior level certification.
   4. d. Successful completion of a practicum and an internship.
   5. e. One full year of full-time acceptable professional educational work experience.
5. 5. Testing for Class A Certification for School Counseling. Applicants for initial Class A certification in school counseling must meet the requirements of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP) as a precondition for certification.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-3-16 and 16-23-14.

Editor’s Note: Previous Rule .33 was renumbered .36 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.

History: New Rule: December 19, 1978. Amended: Filed December 13, 1990; effective February 1, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: Filed January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 3, 2009; effective September 7, 2009; operative October 1, 2009. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 13, 2015; effective September 17, 2015. Amended: Filed September 13, 2018; effective October 28, 2018; operative June 1, 2019. Repealed and New Rule: Published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021. Repealed and New Rule: Published March 31, 2025; effective May 15, 2025.