COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Education in School Counseling at Northwest Missouri State University is a 45-credit hour, two-year program designed to prepare students for professional roles in elementary, middle, and secondary school counseling. The curriculum is structured around several core components to ensure comprehensive training. The Scientific Foundations Core includes Methods in Counseling Research and Group Appraisal, providing students with skills in research, assessment, and evaluation. The Assessment Core features courses such as Student Appraisal and Intervention, Organization and Administration of School Counseling Programs, and Occupational and Educational Information, enabling students to evaluate and respond to students’ academic, behavioral, and social needs. The Counseling Methods Core includes Principles and Practices of the K-12 School Counseling Program, Counseling Theory and Techniques, Group Counseling Techniques, and Supervised Practice in Elementary/Secondary School Counseling, focusing on practical counseling skills. Students gain hands-on experience through a Field Practicum in either elementary or secondary school settings, typically taken for six credit hours, allowing direct application of counseling methods in real-world environments. The program also emphasizes research and professional development through a Research Project and courses in Advanced Educational Psychology, Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling, and Advanced Child and Adolescent Psychology. For students entering without a B.S.Ed. degree, additional courses in teaching improvement, seminars and practicum in teaching, educating exceptional children, and behavior management techniques are required. The curriculum is often structured in a summer-entry sequence over three years, allowing students to progress efficiently through foundational, assessment, and counseling methods courses before completing practicum experiences. This combination of theory, applied practice, research, and professional preparation ensures graduates are fully equipped to perform as competent, ethical, and effective school counselors capable of supporting student development in diverse educational settings. The program also accommodates dual certification requirements, adding six to nine hours for eligible students. Overall, the M.S.Ed. in School Counseling integrates academic rigor with practical experience to develop highly skilled counseling professionals ready to positively impact school communities.