COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Education (MEd) in Counseling at Wichita State University offers four specialized 60-credit-hour tracks designed to prepare students for counseling careers and professional licensure. The School Counseling Track focuses on preparing PK–12 school counselors through coursework in counseling theory, school counseling foundations, multicultural issues, assessment, career development, ethics, leadership, advocacy, professional school counseling, practicum, internships, and electives. Students must earn at least a B grade in key counseling skills and practicum courses and may pursue either a thesis or nonthesis option. Individuals with a Kansas teaching license can become licensed school counselors, while those without a teaching license may follow an alternative pathway that includes additional field experiences and a post-degree internship. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Track prepares students for future licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Kansas through training in counseling theory, mental health counseling foundations, assessment, psychopathology, family systems, crisis counseling, addiction counseling, practicum experiences, internships, and electives. The Addiction Counseling Track follows a similar structure but places greater emphasis on substance use disorders, addiction treatment, and addiction-focused practicum experiences, preparing graduates for work in rehabilitation centers, behavioral health agencies, and community counseling settings. The Sports Counseling Track combines clinical counseling preparation with specialized courses such as Counseling Student Athletes and Student Athlete Identity Development, equipping graduates to work with student-athletes in schools, colleges, athletic departments, and higher education settings while still meeting educational requirements for professional counselor licensure. Across all tracks, students complete extensive supervised practicum and internship experiences, ensuring practical application of counseling theories and techniques in real-world environments. The curriculum emphasizes multicultural competence, ethical practice, research, assessment, communication skills, and evidence-based interventions. Graduates are prepared for careers in schools, mental health centers, healthcare organizations, addiction treatment programs, community agencies, universities, athletic departments, and other counseling-related settings. The program combines academic rigor, professional development, applied learning, and licensure preparation to develop highly qualified counseling professionals capable of supporting diverse populations and addressing educational, emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges.