Department of Counselor Education

The mission of the Department of Counselor Education is to prepare a globally competitive diverse population of highly effective and ethical professionals equipped to serve schools and communities.

Degree Options

 Counselor Education Program candidates have the option of pursuing either the Master of Education (M.Ed.) or the Master of Science (M.S.) degree. The M.Ed. is practice and application oriented. The M.Ed. option requires a minimum of 60 academic credit hours and a comprehensive examination. The M.S. option places greater emphasis on research and evaluation. The M.S. requires a minimum of 54 credit hours.  Candidates must also enroll in one additional Research and Thesis courses, complete and defend a research- data-driven thesis. Candidates should refer to the Graduate Catalog for the specific degree requirements.

No more than six (6) credit hours can be transferred from another university. All transfer credit for the degree must have occurred within the designated period (six years) prior to the date of graduation. Transfer courses are not eligible for an extension of time. Test scores submitted in support of applications for admission must be within a six-year period. Transfer credit from another institution must be approved by the Academic Advisor and Department Chair and must be of "B" quality or higher. Transfer of credit in the College of Graduate Studies core course(s) is not permitted.

Specialization Areas:

There are two specializations in the Counselor Education Program: School Counseling (Pre-K-12) and Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

The School Counseling Pre K-12 specialization prepares candidates for careers in the elementary, middle and high school settings. The School Counseling PreK-12 specialization curriculum focuses on counseling, consultation skills, developing a comprehensive school counseling program, managing students in the classroom, and incorporating technology in counseling. Students will be prepared to make data-informed student-driven decisions, while addressing individual and systemic barriers to personal growth and educational achievement.

The Mental Health Counseling specialization prepares candidates for careers in mental health agencies and/or non-school settings (i.e., community service boards, substance abuse centers, military counseling facilities and public/private community agencies). The Clinical Mental Health specialization curriculum will focus on individual, family and group counseling to include diagnosing, assessing, and treatment planning for crisis intervention. In the required courses, students learn to assess and diagnose the situation, develop a treatment plan, practice psychotherapy, establish a prevention plan, manage mental health crises, and understand the fundamentals of an alcohol and substance abuse treatment program.

Complete details on the Counselor Education Program Webpage.