COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Education (MEd) in counseling at Wichita State University is a 60-credit graduate program designed to prepare students for licensure and professional practice across four specialization tracks: School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Addiction Counseling, and Sports Counseling. Each track is structured to meet specific career pathways while maintaining a shared counseling foundation that includes counseling theory, human development, multicultural counseling, ethics, group counseling, career development, assessment and testing, psychopathology (DSM-based), and research and program evaluation. Students also complete supervised practicum and internship experiences that provide essential real-world clinical training in school, community, or healthcare settings. Admission to the program requires admission to the university, a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 credit hours, submission of a statement of professional goals, resume, and three professional references. A mandatory background check is required for all admitted students prior to beginning coursework, as field placements and licensure pathways depend on professional suitability and legal clearance. Each specialization track consists of 60 credit hours. The School Counseling track focuses on PK–12 environments and includes coursework in school counseling foundations, leadership, advocacy, consultation, and school-based internships, with additional requirements for licensure depending on whether the student already holds a teaching certification. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling track prepares students for community and clinical practice through courses in family systems, crisis intervention, addiction counseling, and clinical internships aligned with Licensed Professional Counselor requirements. The Addiction Counseling track emphasizes substance-use treatment competencies along with specialized practicum experiences, while the Sports Counseling track focuses on counseling student-athletes, identity development, and applied work in educational and athletic settings. Across all tracks, students must meet minimum grade requirements in key courses and complete internships that integrate theory with practice. The program also allows elective coursework to tailor expertise and may include thesis or non-thesis options depending on student goals, ensuring flexibility while maintaining accreditation-aligned professional training standards for counseling careers.