Program Overview:
University of the Southwest’s Master of Science in Education, School Counseling is a 42 credit, fully online degree program designed to prepare you for licensure as a school counselor in elementary, middle, and high school settings.
“School counseling programs are collaborative efforts benefiting students, parents, teachers, administrators and the overall community. School counseling programs should be an integral part of students' daily educational environment, and school counselors should be partners in student achievement." American School Counseling Association (ASCA) National Model, 2017. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/asca-national-model
With coursework in counseling theories, techniques and counseling ethics; career development, developing a comprehensive school counseling plan; and group, child/adolescent counseling, psychoeducational assessment, and crisis counseling, you will develop the knowledge and skillsets to interact with students and parents from varying backgrounds. USW’s program in School Counseling also offers a variety of elective courses, including but not limited to, Play Therapy, Addictions Counseling, Human Sexuality, Psychopathology, and Counseling Families. You will learn how to serve as an advocate for the students’ academic, career and personal/social success.
You will acquire the knowledge to:
· Focus on the relations and interactions between students and their school environment with the expressed purpose of reducing the effect of environmental and institutional barriers that impede student academic success;
· Ensure access to a rigorous education for all,
· Support students in school, their families, and communities by designing and delivering a comprehensive school counseling program which is preemptive in design, comprehensive in scope, and developmental in nature.
· Assist students with evaluating and considering future educational and career paths; and
· Provide an atmosphere where all students can learn.
Practicums and an internship are required and must be completed in a public or private K-12 school.
2020-2021 MSE School Counseling Handbooks
- EDSC 5813 Practicum Handbook 2020-2021
- EDSC 5803 Internship Handbook 2020-2021
The Master of Science in Education, School Counseling is accredited by the New Mexico Public Education Department and prepares students for licensure as a school counselor in the state of New Mexico.
Out-of-State-Residents: Please contact your state’s department of education to determine if University of the Southwest’s program meets your state’s licensing and certification regulations.