School Counselor Education, M.S.Ed.

Admission Requirements

Applicants interested in the obtaining a Master’s of Science in Education Degree in School Counselor Education should submit the Graduate Student application to the Graduate Studies office. Additional application materials:

Have an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution,
possess a GPA of 2.75 or better,
Submit three letters of recommendation or recommendation forms,
Provide a resume
A personal statement should be included which highlights your achievements and what you bring to the school counseling profession.

Note: Candidates must also pass the GACE Basic Skills program admissions assessments in reading, math, and writing. This is a requirement from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).

Graduates from the School Counselor Education (M.S.Ed.) program will demonstrate knowledge, skills, technical competencies, and dispositions to function proficiently as school counselors in the 21st century. The school counseling program emphasizes experiences in educational settings where our graduates will be sensitive to the context of all candidates. Proficient school counselors work in primary, elementary, middle, and high school settings and create an atmosphere where all candidates can learn. The program meets all the educational requirements for the Professional School Counselor Certificate, Level 5. By taking three courses per semester, the program can be completed in almost two years, but most candidates will take fewer courses and extend their programs. The program considers candidates’ backgrounds and adds knowledge, skills, values, and professional practices, which will allow them to be employed in Georgia schools and to build upon their interests and experiences.

Classes are totally online but may have intensive face-to-face events to rehearse and demonstrate significant skills in Counseling Theories and Group Counseling.

Pre-Cohort Requirements (6 hours)

EDSC 5033 - Career Counseling Credit Hours: 3
EDSC 5123 - Introduction to School Counseling Credit Hours: 3
FVSU 0500 - Graduate Studies Orientation Credit Hours: 0

Cohort Requirements (18 hours)

EDUC 5503 - Fundamentals of Research Design Credit Hours: 3
EDSC 5143 - Counseling Theories Credit Hours: 3
EDSC 5223 - Comprehensive School Counseling Credit Hours: 3
EDSC 5373 - Group Counseling Credit Hours: 3
EDSC 5233 - Counseling Interventions and Prevention Credit Hours: 3
EDSC 5133 - Ethics and Law Credit Hours: 3

Non-cohort Requirements (12 hours)

EDSC 5013 - Evaluation and Testing in Education Credit Hours: 3 *
EDSC 5103 - Human Growth and Development Credit Hours: 3 *
EDSC 5303 - School and Family Consultation Credit Hours: 3 *
EDSC 5203 - Counseling Diverse Populations Credit Hours: 3 *
EDUC 5793 - Applied Research Practicum Credit Hours: 3 * 117

Note

* Can be taken at any time in the program and are preferred but not required for placement in the Field Experience.

Field Experience (9 hours)

EDSC 5793 - School Counseling Practicum Credit Hours: 3
EDSC 5893 - School Counseling Internship I Credit Hours: 3
EDSC 5993 - School Counseling Internship II Credit Hours: 3

Note

Important Note: Program candidates who wish to receive a clear renewable certificate as a school counselor must complete and pass GACE, a state technology competency certification, and the Introduction to Exceptional Child course (EDUC 5253 ). The Exceptional Child course is required in addition to the course work specified on this balance sheet if candidates have not previously taken a course in the identification and education of children with special needs, as required by “House Bill 671.”

A capstone research project is proposed in the first semester of the program and completed prior to graduation. This activity encourages school counseling candidates to be data-oriented and helps them to contribute to the educational mission of the school.

Three semesters of clinical field experience totaling 700 hours are required. During the practicum (100 hours) candidates observe and shadow their site supervisors while also gaining 40 contact hours with students. During internship (600 hours, 300 per semester) candidates perform the actual duties of a school counselor under the supervision of a practicing school counselor. Candidates should discuss placement with the clinical Coordinator. Applications for the practicum and internship should be made the semester before practicum/internship field experiences begins. Candidates should pick up a practicum/internship handbook and become familiar with its content before application is made. Practicums may be performed in a school setting or in a clinical setting; internships must be performed in a school setting.

The graduation requirement for this program is a cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, passing scores on the GACE content exams (GACE 103 and 104) which serve as the department’s comprehensive exam, and successful completion of an action research project. A portfolio that brings together students’ training is presented at the conclusion of the program.

M.S.Ed in School Counselor Education graduates are eligible for S-5 certification and school counseling positions in primary, elementary, middle and high school settings. They may also register for state and national examinations to be eligible for private practice. Candidates will be exposed to all levels of educational settings, pre-K through 12, throughout the program. This will enhance their ability to obtain a position in the field upon graduation and certification.