Supporting Emergency and Alternative Licensure (SEAL) Program for School Counselors 

WHAT IS THE SEAL PROGRAM?

The Supporting Emergency and Alternative Licensure (SEAL) Program for School Counselors was initially developed to support practicing school counselors who have not completed master’s level training in school counseling. New this year: SEAL will cover the brand new 5th edition of the ASCA National Model. ALL Oklahoma school counselors are encouraged to apply to receive training on the new edition. Priority will still be given to emergency or alternatively certified school counselors, but there will also be room for traditionally certified school counselors. The semester-long program includes five intensive virtual training sessions that will help these school counselors develop the knowledge, attitude, and skills necessary to implement a school counseling program based on the ASCA National Model (5th Edition) and the Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework. Note: This does not replace a graduate program in school counseling and is not a route to certification. This is a training and professional development opportunity only.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

• Must be an OSCA member. Here is the link to become an OSCA member if you need it.

• School counselors who are emergency OR alternatively certified AND in their first two years as a school counselor. Note: First priority will be given to emergency and alternatively certified school counselors in their first two years as a school counselor. Second priority will be given to all emergency and alternatively certified school counselors even if they've since gained standard certification. Third priority will be given to traditionally certified school counselors in their first two years as a school counselor. Fourth, and final, priority will be given to all other current school counselors, interns, students and district leaders. Any Oklahoma school counselor should apply to receive training on the 5th edition of the ASCA National Model.

• School counselors who are committed to building a school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model and the Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework 

WHO NEEDS TO BE INVOLVED

Building Administrators

• Commitment and support begins at the administrative level
• Building administrators are expected to be actively involved throughout the process and continuously provide support to the school counselor in order to successfully implement the ASCA National Model at their site
  
• Building administrators must be willing to share data and school-wide goals with the school counselor
• Building administrators must allow school counselors to attend five all-day virtual sessions and two half-day virtual sessions. It is recommended that school counselors are allowed to engage in the sessions from a location away from the school to avoid disruptions and distractions. 

School Counselors 

• School counselors are expected to attend all five sessions. Four sessions are half-day long and one is half-day. It is expected that school counselors are able to fully participant in the five sessions 
• Only the school counselor is expected to attend the virtual trainings 
• School counselors are expected to complete assignments between trainings 
• This not count for CEU's and certificates are not provided. If you need a proof of attendance please reach out within 24 hours of a session ending.

BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPATION

School counselors participating in the SEAL Program for School Counselorswill receive training, professional development, and technical assistance in the creation and implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program as defined by the evidence-based ASCA National Model. The National Model is a framework for school counseling programs that outlines the components of a school counseling program integral to the school’s academic mission and created to have a significant positive impact on student achievement, attendance, and discipline. Additionally, this training will provide the benefit of networking and connecting to other school counselors in the state. Typically training provided by an ASCA-certified trainer involves a financial commitment. However, this program is being offered free of cost for all participants.  

After completion of the training and assignments, participants will have completed and assessed ASCA National Model components designed to improve school data including:

• School Counseling Program Data Priorities
• Achievement Gap Plan
• ASCA Student Standards Delivery Plan
• Lesson Planning
• Small Group Planning
• Annual Administrative Conference
• Appropriate Use of Time
• And more

THE SEAL PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE

• Four half-day virtual sessions and one full-day virtual session over one academic semester led by an ASCA-certified trainer 

APPLICATION TIMELINE AND SELECTION PROCESS

All applications must be submitted by November 1, 2025. Applicants will be notified by November 2, 2025 of their acceptance into the program. A list of all training dates will be provided at that time. The first session will be at the beginning of December. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Visit the Oklahoma Comprehensive School Counseling Framework Resources website

Visit the ASCA National Model website

Contact Chelsea Hinkle at chinkle.oksca@gmail.com

Training Dates:

December 4, 2025 (Half Day)

January 16, 2026 (Half Day)

February 5, 2026 (Half Day)

February 20, 2026 (Half Day)

March 26, 2026 (Full Day)

Candidates should only apply if they are able to attend ALL training dates. Full day sessions are 8 AM - 3 PM and half day sessions are 8 AM - 12 PM.