Guidance (MA)

Program Director: Toni Spinelli-Nannen, Ed.D.

Program Objectives

The program in guidance is designed to prepare educators for a role as a school practitioner in guidance and counseling. Two tracks are available, based on a common core of requirements. The first prepares an individual for the role of guidance counselor in elementary and middle school, the second in middle school and high school. After completing course requirements, the individual chooses the practicum experience in the level for which they intend to pursue licensure. Emphasis is on the development of effective counseling and consultation skills. Individuals are prepared to sensitively serve the needs of a culturally diverse group of children in the public school setting while maintaining positions based on solid research and sound educational practice.

To prepare individuals to take on the role of guidance counselor in the public schools.
To develop an awareness of the need, meaning, ethics, and scope of guidance services in the schools.
To learn how to understand individuals and their needs: racial, sexual, social, developmental, and ethnic.
To develop an understanding of learning and motivation both in the process of normal development and in the case of special needs and learning disabilities.
To explore career and educational goals, to collect, record, use and evaluate relevant data.
To effectively understand and utilize the results of testing, both formal and informal, and to be able to determine when testing is advantageous and when it is destructive to the student.
To apply psychological knowledge for appropriate intervention in the classroom and in the understanding of both teachers and students.
To write clear reports, to carry through with placement and service.
To organize and evaluate programs and to keep up with federal and state regulations applying to guidance programs.
To establish the consultative role and to develop communication with other professionals, community agencies, prospective employers, students and families.

Go Back

American International College
1000 State Street
Springfield MA 01109
(800) 242-3142
inquiry@aic.edu

Guidance (MA):

Requirements