School Counseling

At the heart of the Master of Science program in School Counseling is the recognition of the inseparability of the school and the community and the role that counselors have in being advocates for all children and adolescents within these contexts. The program is designed to prepare highly knowledgeable and skilled professional practitioners who have developed Christian character, personal integrity and a healthy personality. The program will lead students to develop skills in guiding and counseling children and adolescents, in facilitating team-building efforts, collaboration and coordination between teachers, parents, support personnel, and community resources, and in developing and implementing school guidance and counseling programs. Therefore, the purpose of the Master of Science program in School Counseling (PreK-12) is two-fold: 1) to provide a route to initial school counselor licensure and 2) to educate school counselors to become advocates and systems specialists who are capable of assessing, developing, implementing, and sustaining programs for youth PreK-12 from diverse backgrounds.

Students who successfully complete the degree program and meet all standardized test requirements and other conditions set by the state, are eligible for school counselor licensure in grades PreK-12 (NTE Praxis-School Counselor Exam) and for certification by the NBCC (Licensed Professional Counselor Exam).

The Master of Science program in School Counseling would benefit students with undergraduate degrees in psychology, sociology, human development or teacher education that are seeking to become a licensed school counselor in the PreK-12 school setting. Students entering the program may often be mature students embarking on a career change or those who begin immediately upon completion of the undergraduate degree. Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree. The program offered by the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences includes integrated academic and field-based experiences that provide the knowledge base and develop the skills, abilities, and understanding needed for success as a school counselor in an elementary or secondary school environment. The curriculum is designed to equip graduates to assume roles as professional counselors who will emerge as leaders in the field of school counseling.