School Counseling

A program designed to prepare graduates to become professional school counselors (guidance counselor) capable of working collaboratively within K-12 school settings.

The 49-credit-hour M.S. in School Counseling program prepares graduates for the dynamic role of a guidance counselor capable of working collaboratively within a K-12 school setting. As a certified guidance counselor, individuals may be responsible for such tasks/activities as classroom guidance instruction, individualized counseling, needs-based work with student groups, consultation with parents and classroom teachers, and collaborating to develop effective programming, and empowering students to make appropriate life decisions.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Recognize the complexity of roles assumed by a school guidance counselor
• Respect the ethics and standards of the counseling profession
• Become acquainted with basic educational philosophies and school operations
• Enhance their communication skills to work effectively with the nature and needs of all developmental levels
• Develop a collaborative style of working within a school community
• Acquire an understanding of group development skills and group dynamics
• Develop consultation and individual counseling skills
• Understand career development and appropriate career counseling issues for the K-12 age span
• Develop expertise in how to apply individual and group approaches to various assessments and evaluative techniques
  
  

Degree Program Schedule

Courses are offered in the late afternoons and evenings to accommodate students who have full-time work responsibilities. The program may be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis. All graduate work must be completed within five years of being awarded candidacy.