ACSC Candidate Handbook 

Section 1: Introduction

  • About the ASCA-Certified School Counselor (ACSC) Credential
  • Purpose
  • Eligibility Requirements 

Section 2: Application Information/Process

  • Deadlines
  • Fees
  • Application Scoring 
  • Refunds and Deferrals
  • Resources

Section 3: Review and Scoring Process 

  • ACSC Portfolio Scoring 
  • Certification Status and Use of Certification Marks

Section 1: Introduction

The ASCA-Certified School Counselor (ACSC) credential is an entry-level, individual-based certification that demonstrates school counselor knowledge in designing, implementing and assessing a school counseling program based on the ASCA National Model. School counselors who hold the ACSC demonstrate their commitment to the highest levels of professionalism, ethical practice and continuing professional development in their school counseling practice. ACSCs design and deliver school counseling programs that improve student outcomes.  

Purpose
Encourage school counselors to develop school counseling programs that: 

  • Are based on data-informed decision making
  • Are delivered to all students systematically
  • Include developmentally appropriate instruction focused on the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors all students need for postsecondary readiness and success
  • Close achievement and opportunity gaps
  • Result in improved student achievement, attendance and discipline
    Promote the utilization of ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors and the ASCA Professional Standards & Competencies
    Promote continuing professional development for school counselors
    Promote uniform credentialing standards across states, agencies, and training institutions

Eligibility Requirements 

Pathway 1 Requirements

  1. Passed the Professional School Counselor Praxis within the last 10 years with a score of at least 156 (or must retake the Professional School Counselor Praxis and score at least 156)
  2. Complete the ACSC portfolio
  3. Apply for certification

Pathway 2 Requirements

  1. Listed on the RAMP application when it was submitted
  2. Passed the Professional School Counselor Praxis within the last 10 years with a score of at least 156  (or must retake the Professional School Counselor Praxis and score at least 156)
  3. Complete Section 3 of the ACSC portfolio 
  4.  Apply for certification

Pathway 3 Requirements

  1. Graduated from the college/university after it received ASCA SPA recognition
  2. Passed the Professional School Counselor PRAXIS within the last 10 years with a score of at least 156 (or must retake the Professional School Counselor Praxis and score at least 156)
  3. Apply for certification

Pathway 3 is for individuals who graduate or have graduated from a college or university that has received national recognition of its school counselor preparation program through an ASCA Specialized Professional Association (SPA) under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Applicant must have graduated from the college/university after it received the SPA recognition Note: Individuals who graduate from an ASCA SPA program do not need to submit the ACSC portfolio as they have already fulfilled this requirement through their school counselor preparation program. 

Section 2: Application Information/Process

Deadlines
ACSC applicants who plan to apply by Jan. 15, 2021, should begin working on their materials now so everything is ready to upload when the portal opens in late 2020. Application deadlines are twice per year:

  • Jan. 15 (certification awarded in May)
  • June 15 (certification awarded in September)

Fees
Those who graduate from an ASCA SPA program:

  • ASCA Member: $110
  • ASCA Nonmember: $250

Those who graduate from a non-ASCA SPA program:

  • ASCA Member: $260
  • ASCA Nonmember: $400

Individuals may pay by credit card, check or purchase order. Email purchase orders to asca@schoolcounselor.org. Mail checks to: ASCA, P.O. Box 37149, Baltimore, MD 21297-3149

Refunds and Deferrals
The ACSC application is nonrefundable, but individuals may choose to defer an incomplete application and payment to the next certification cycle. 

Resources

Section 3: Review and Scoring Process

The application is scored based on the applicant’s Praxis score and the ACSC portfolio. The portfolio scoring rubric is based on “The ASCA National Model: A Foundation for School Counseling Programs (fourth edition)” and “The ASCA National Model Implementation Guide (second edition).” Each application is scored by an ACSC reviewer who is supervised by a lead ACSC reviewer. The application will not be reviewed if all required components are not complete or provided. Be sure to utilize the application checklist (coming soon) to ensure all required components are included. 

  • Pathway 1: Portfolio score of at least 30 out of 33
  • Pathway 2: Section 3 portfolio score of at least 15 out of 17 (only Section 3 required)
  • Pathway 3: No portfolio required

Certification Status and Use of Certification Marks
Certification designation will be announced in May (for Jan. 15 applications) and September (for June 15 applications) of each year. Once certification designation is awarded, individuals may use the ACSC seal on their resume, business card, social media platforms, email signature, etc., for five years, at which point they must apply for recertification.