COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts degree in Counselor Education: School Counseling is a 60-credit-hour, CACREP- and CAEP-accredited program designed to prepare graduate students to become professional school counselors capable of delivering comprehensive developmental guidance services in Pre-K–12 educational settings. The program follows a structured and advisor-approved plan of study, which is established at the time of admission and must be followed consistently through graduation unless formally revised with advisor approval. Students begin the program by meeting with an assigned academic advisor to align coursework with their professional goals, and they are required to maintain academic and professional standards throughout their studies, including a minimum GPA requirement of 3.25 with no grade below a C, successful completion of a comprehensive examination, and passing scores on relevant Praxis certification assessments. The curriculum integrates coursework from Counselor Education as well as affiliated disciplines such as Educational Psychology, Educational Research, and School Psychology, allowing students to benefit from interdisciplinary faculty expertise. Core courses focus on counseling theory, human development, career development, group counseling, appraisal techniques, multicultural counseling, ethical practice, and program development and management in school settings. Students also complete coursework in psychopathology and family counseling strategies to strengthen their understanding of student mental health and family systems. A significant component of the program includes supervised clinical experiences, beginning with practicum and culminating in a 12-credit-hour internship that spans multiple grade levels (P–12), providing extensive hands-on training in real school environments. These field experiences allow students to apply counseling skills in areas such as academic advising, social-emotional support, crisis intervention, and college and career readiness programming while working under professional supervision. Additional requirements include approved elective coursework and participation in the Watermark™ Student Learning & Licensure system for ongoing assessment and documentation. Overall, the program combines rigorous academic preparation with intensive practical training to develop ethical, competent, and student-centered school counseling professionals ready for certification and practice in diverse educational settings.