Earning Your Rank I Masters Plus 30 in Counseling

Would you like to be at the top of your career field? Would you like to earn a pay increase? If you are a teacher or school administrator, earning your Rank I certification may improve your chances of achieving these goals.

In Kentucky, teachers or school administrators can achieve an additional ranking certification, also known as Rank I, based on the number of credit hours in their field. Rank I programs are designed to give teachers and administrators 30 additional hours of training and coursework beyond their master’s degree.

Rank I/Master’s Plus 30 program when used for a secondary counseling certification is designed for those who seek additional training and skills after the masters degree in counseling and has at least one year of counseling practice behind them. The coursework for this program is compiled through performance activities, field experiences, and portfolio entries.

The Rank I/Master’s Plus 30 program involves a blend of knowledge, skills, and experiences with personal and professional development. The Rank 1/Masters 30 Program consists of 30 semester hours, which fulfill the requirements for the program. These standards are all set forth by the Educational Professional Education Board.

The syllabus is set forth to address nine specific areas. The first category, program management, research and evaluation, covers the basics, such as, defining needs and priorities, determining objectives, organization, communication, and using information systems and technology. Developmental guidance curriculum, on the other hand, has a three-pronged focus, including preparing students for the transitional period, developing student’s ability to assess developmental needs and corresponding curriculum, and guiding them through the process for maximizing personal growth. Individual and small group counseling helps teachers and administrators how to promote wellness, handle crisis, and be empathetic and understanding. To achieve this objective, students will become familiarized with various theories related to school counseling, intervention procedures, conflict management, and mediation. Consultation and elaboration teaches how to interpret relevant information, reduce barriers, work with other teachers in order to develop support for students in crisis situations and positive communication between students, parents, teachers, and the school board.

Coordination is another area of focus in the Rank I/Master’s Plus 30 program in counseling. Effective coordination between the school and the community can produce additional involvement, develop a more effective referral process, and maintain cooperative working relationships. The Assessment category aims to teach students how to plan and evaluate the district and school testing practices, maintain students’ records, assess the special needs of disabled students, and the formulate career plans for students. Ethical/legal issues and standards is a unique category that ensures all teachers and administrators are aware of the federal and state laws and regulation concerning education, child protection, and the ability to administer disciplinary action. The ability to demonstrates Professional Leadership is the eighth specified category of a Rank I/Master’s Plus 30 program in counseling. This attention to leadership skills ensures potential teachers and administrators are aware of the proper way to promote leadership, sensitivity to multicultural situations, conflict resolution, and team learning. The ninth and final category addresses students’ ability to engage in professional development while promoting student learning and analyzing students’ needs.

Finally, there are stringent requirements that have to be followed in order to participate in a Rank 1/Masters 30 Program. These requirements include the following: one must hold a secondary guidance counseling certificate, a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, one year of successful experience at the secondary level, be accepted into the program, satisfactorily complete the program’s requirements, and complete an advanced program in secondary school counseling.

This particular program is for those who can act as a facilitator. The most effective students have a strong grasp on the ability to think under pressure, solve problems, and communicate clearly and effectively. Rank I students also need the ability to collaborate and respect the various situations that can often present themselves.