The Ed.S. School Counseling track consists of 66 credit hours and prepares you to work in PK-12 educational settings as a counselor of diverse students and their families. The coursework is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to collaborate with parents, teachers, school administrators, and other mental health professionals to promote holistic well-being and academic success among all students. The curriculum meets CACREP accreditation standards and South Carolina school counselor certification requirements.

 

Career Opportunities

Our graduates typically work in PK-12 public and private schools. School counselors focus on students’ academic, career/postsecondary, and social/emotional development through individual, small group, and large group counseling interventions. The coursework also prepares students to work as school leaders who support a positive learning environment and are able to analyze the effectiveness of their interventions.

 

Admissions Process

The Ed.S. in Counselor Education accepts applications for admission once a year for the summer term with an application deadline of January 15. Program faculty members review complete applications and applicants who pass the initial screening are invited to a group interview. Group interviews take place by mid-March.

 

Typical Coursework

You will complete coursework in the following areas:

Core Courses (33 semester hours)
Your core courses are designed to help you to build a foundation of understanding in areas important to all counseling professionals. These courses provide an overview and introduction to the counseling profession, basic counseling theories, counseling skills, assessment, group, professional and legal issues, multicultural, and career development.

The core includes 6 credits in Psychopathy and Diagnosis. In these two diagnostic courses, you will review disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as you gain the skills necessary to make and justify a diagnosis, and write treatment plans based on your diagnoses.

Specialization (9 semester hours)
In these courses, you will learn about the factors that separate school counseling from other forms of counseling, including reviewing general issues specific to school counseling. 

Clinical Preparation (3 semester hours)
This advanced techniques course provides in-depth training in the specific skills required for school counseling.

Human Growth & Development (3 semester hours)
In your Human Growth and Development coursework, you will learn to identify the different stages of the human experience as well as the characteristic challenges individuals face throughout their lives. This knowledge will help you to make your clients more comfortable with you as they address their challenges with you.

Research (3 semester hours)

As part of the program, you will gain a foundation in basic research terms and practices.

Clinical Courses (9 semester hours)
During the final year of study, you will complete one semester of practicum and one semester of field-based internship.  You will have the opportunity to provide counseling to real students in the school setting while receiving support from your faculty and the staff of the locations you are placed in.

Elective Courses in Counselor Education (6 semester hours)
You can take two electives. Your advisor will help you figure out what courses are appropriate based on your personal interests and experience.

For more information about the program of study, visit the academic bulletin.