Graduate Portfolio


The Graduate Portfolio is a set of field experiences designed to provide students with opportunities to become familiar with, and articulate about, the role of the Professional School Counselor. This Graduate Portfolio also serves as one opportunity for both the School Counseling Department faculty and the student to evaluate readiness for the practicum semester. 

1. Spend the equivalent of one full day with each of two professional school counselors, one at the elementary level and the other at the secondary level. Write a report that includes a description of the counselor’s role, the overall guidance program, the overall systematic organization and the responsibilities within it, of referral procedures and resources, and of involvement with special needs students. Include personal observations and reactions.


 2. Know the functions of a minimum of 5 social service agencies used by professional school counselors. Describe the services provided and the referral procedures. Include telephone numbers and the contact person at each agency.

  • Social Service Agencies

3. Obtain membership in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association (PSCA) as well as 1 other professional counseling organization.
  • American School Counselor Association (ASCA), 2010 - present
  • Pennsylvania School Counselors Association (PSCA), 2012 - present
  • American Counseling Association (ACA), 2013 - present


 4. Report on one article from each of the following publications: (1) Journal of Counseling and Development, (2) School Counselor, and (3) Professional School Counseling. Write a 1-page critique for each article that includes both a synopsis of the article as well as your personal response. 


 5. Visit a Career Technical Center (CTC)’s Open House. Schools in the Lancaster County (Intermediate Unit 13) include Mt. Joy, Willow Street, and Brownstown. See www.LCCTC.org for more information. Write a report that includes a description of the counselor’s role, the overall guidance program, the systematic organization and the responsibilities within it, referral procedures and resources, and involvement with special needs students. Include personal observations and reactions.

  • CTC Open House


 6. Participate in at least 1 workshop of a parent effectiveness-training program and describe your experience.



7. Attend a financial aid program and document your experience.


8. Attend at least 6 hours of workshops or presentations that are part of professional counselor organizations. Examples are: the Lancaster County Counselors (LCCA) meetings, the York County Counselors (YCCA) meetings, the Pennsylvania Counseling Association (PCA) conference, and the Pennsylvania School Counselors (PSCA) Conference. Include documentation of your experience.


9. Write a report that addresses the following area: 

a. Inquiry – about the diverse needs of students and subsequent state regulations regarding inclusion, life skills training, social, emotional, and academic support, mental retardation, physical disabilities, gifted education, and school-to-work programs.


10. Other Activities:
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