The Minnesota Board of Teaching (MnBOT), which licenses all professions in public schools, does not require teaching experience or previous teaching licensure in order to be a Licensed School Counselor (LSC) in the state. The MSU Mankato PSC Program matches coursework and internship requirements to align with both MnBOT rules (see Minnesota Board of Teaching licensure rule 8710:6400 School Counselor at http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/8710/6400.html and the national accreditation standards for school counseling of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) (see CACREP standards at http://www.cacrep.org/2001Standards.html).
The Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) sets the standards for individuals who wish to be licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) for private or agency practice. Career opportunities as a LPC require different coursework within the CSP Department and is most frequently the field of study for students in the Community Counseling or Marriage and Family programs. LPC licensure for LSCs cannot be obtained without additional requirements beyond the 50 semester hour program of study leading to degree within the CSP Department. Individuals interested in licensure as a LPC should discuss with faculty what additional coursework is necessary as is related to one's intent to be licensed in the field of professional school counseling. The minimum education required for eligibility as a LPC in Minnesota is 60 semester hours (12 hours pertinent to the LPC licensure field above a 48 hour MS degree in counseling). Full information about LPC licensure can be found at the BBHT web site at http://www.bbht.state.mn.us/.
