COUN 6961 - Orientation and Ethical Issues in School Counseling
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 40033,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Danielle Matos
M. Ed., LSC, LPC
Course Description
6961. Orientation and Ethical Issues in School Counseling. This course provides students with an introduction to the field of professional counseling, and the foundations of school counseling. The course addresses the following topics: history, philosophy, cultural dynamics, advocacy, consultation, technology applications, classroom management issues, and trends in professional and school counseling. The counseling profession's ethical standards are also addressed with an emphasis on the American Counseling Association (ACA) and American School Counselor Association (ASCA) code of ethics, and counselor ethical decision-making processes. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. (2022). | American School Counseling Association | |
| Required | Transforming the school counseling profession (5th ed.) | Erford, B. T. (2021). Pearson | |
| Required | ACA Code of Ethics. (2014) | American Counseling Association | |
| Required | ASCA (2022). School counseling principles: Ethics and law (5th ed.). | American School Counseling Association | |
| Required | (2002) An ethics quiz for school counselors. Professional School Counseling, 6(1), 3-10. | Remley T. P., & Huey, W. C. | |
| Optional | (2016) When Values Blur the Lines: Navigating an Ethical Dilemma in School Counseling | Springer, Sarah I |
Online link: 2014 ACA Code of Ethics
Online link: ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu | 8/27 | Syllabus | Introductions Review Course Syllabus |
Read Syllabus and Come prepared with questions (If needed) |
| Thu | 9/3 | Erford: Chapter 1 and 2 ASCA - Chapter 1 Remley T. P., & Huey, W. C. (2002). An ethics quiz for school counselors. Professional School Counseling, 6(1), 3-10. Murphy, S., & Kaffenberger, C. (2007). ASCA National Model®: The Foundation for Supervision of Practicum and Internship Students. Professional School Counseling, 10(3), 289-296. |
Becoming a Professional School Counselor The ASCA National Model Introduction to Ethics and Law in School Counseling CACREP Standard 3A1 CACREP Standard 3A2 |
|
| Thu | 9/10 | Erford – Chapter 3 & 4 ASCA – Chapter 2 |
Transformational Thinking & Systemic, Data Driven School Counseling Professionalism in School Counseling CACREP Standard 3A10 |
|
| Thu | 9/17 | Erford – Chapter 5 & 6 ASCA – Chapters 3, 4, 5, & 6 |
Accountability Outcome Research Cyberspace; FERPA; Negligence; School Policy CACREP Standard 3A8 CACREP Standards 3G 7,8,9 |
|
| Thu | 9/24 | Erford – Chapter 7 & 8 ASCA – Chapter 12 |
Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in School Counseling Culturally Competent School Counselors Bullying, Cyberbullying, and Sexting CACREP Standard 3A10 CACREP Standard 3A11 CACREP Standard 3A4 |
DUE: Community Mapping |
| Thu | 10/1 | Erford – Chapter 9 & 10 | Leadership and Advocacy for every student's achievement and opportunity Developmental Classroom Guidance CACREP Standard 3A4 CACREP Standard 3A2 |
DUE: GUIDANCE RELATED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM (IN SERVICE) BROCHURE/FLYER |
| Thu | 10/8 | Erford – Chapter 11 & 12 | Academic Development and Planning for College and Career Readiness Promoting Career & Individual Planning in Schools CACREP Standard 3A5 CACREP Standard 3D |
DUE: COMMUNITY SITE INFORMATION PAPER |
| Thu | 10/15 | No Class | ||
| Thu | 10/22 | Erford – Chapter 13 & 14 ASCA – Chapter 7 |
Counseling Individuals and Groups in School Consultation, Collaboration, and Encouraging Parent Involvement Child Abuse CACREP Standard 3A4 CACREP Standards 3E13 |
|
| Thu | 10/29 | Erford – Chapter 15 ASCA – Chapters 8, 9, 10 & 11 |
Systemic Approaches to Counseling Students Experiencing Complex and Specialized Problems Individual and Small Group Counseling CACREP Standard 3A3 |
|
| Thu | 11/5 | Erford – Chapter 16 | The Professional School Counselor and Students with Disabilities CACREP Standard 3A4 |
DUE: INTERVIEW PAPER / Prepare for DISCUSSION OF INTERVIEWS |
| Thu | 11/12 | Erford - Chapter 17 ASCA Chapter 13 |
Helping Students with Mental and Emotional Disorders Violence and Criminal Activity CACREP Standard 3A4 |
DUE: Ethical Decision Making Case Vignette (SL&L assignment) |
| Thu | 11/19 | Guidance Lesson Presentations | DUE: GUIDANCE LESSON UNIT PORTFOLIO – SL&L assignment | |
| Thu | 11/26 | No Class | ||
| Thu | 12/3 | Guidance Lesson Presentations | DUE: SHADOWING REFLECTION & DOCUMENTATION FORM | |
| Thu | 12/10 | Final Exam |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.