School Counseling Program Description (Master of Arts in Education - M.A.Ed)
The Master of Arts in Education - School Counseling program prepares individuals to become school counselors. The Provisional School Counseling Certificate will be awarded by Kentucky's Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) upon completion of the 48-hour degree program. The School Counseling certification earned is a P-12 certification.
Dr. James McGinn, School Counseling Program Coordinator
Admission Requirements
All graduate school admissions requirements must be met which includes a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). The Applicant must meet one of the following requirements for admission to the programs:
- An undergraduate overall grade point overage of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale on the last 60 hours or
- A minimum of 146 (400 on old version) on the verbal section of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or
- A minimum of 146 (400 on old version) on the performance section of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or
- A minimum of 365 on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling Courses
- Course Requirements:48 hours including 6-9 hours internship, taken over 2-3 semesters.
- A grade of B or higher is required in every course for degree completion.
- Click here for a complete list of courses and the semesters when each course is offered.
Core Courses (48-54 hours):
First Courses
- COU 813 Professional Orientation and Ethics
- COU 840 Counseling Theory and Practice
- COU 846 Process and Basic Techniques of Counseling
- COU 804 Counseling Diverse Populations
- COU 814 Administration and Consultation in Counseling Services
- COU 820 Group Counseling
- COU 822 Lifestyle and Career Counseling
- COU 825 Developmental Counseling with School-Age Children
- COU 848 Child and Adolescent Counseling
- COU 855 Diagnosis and Treatment
- COU 863 Crisis and Grief Counseling
- COU 880 Practicum
- COU 881 Internship (can be taken over 2 semesters)
- EPY 816 Tests and Measurements
- EPY 839 Human Growth and Development
- EPY 869 Research and Program Development
Exit Requirement:
- GRD 878U MAED School Counseling Oral Comp
Total Program Requirements: 48 Hours
The Standard Guidance Certification program allows those holding a Provisional Certificate in Elementary, Secondary, or P-12 grades in School Counseling to convert their provisional certification into Standard Guidance Certification. Students holding a 48-hour master degree in School Counseling are required to earn 6 graduate hours above their masters degree.
- Standard Guidance Certification Requirement Electives - 6 hours
- Rank 1 Certification Requirement Electives* - 12 hours
* Rank 1 in School Counseling must have at least 60 graduate hours in a planned program and be selected with advisor approval.
Endorsement Preparation Programs are study which do not lead to a degree or to an EKU awarded recognition, but instead, prepare students for professional endorsement through Kentucky's Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB).
- Elementary Education Counselor seeking Secondary School Counseling Endorsement - 6 hours of core work plus 6 hours of approved electives.
- Secondary School Counselor seeking Elementary School Counseling Endorsement - 6 hours of core work plus 6 hours of approved electives.
EKU Graduates who hold a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling may earn a second Master's degree in School Counseling. Email Dr. James McGinn, School Counseling Program Coordinator for more information.
Option 6 in School Counseling
To qualify for Option 6 certification in School Counseling, the following requirements must be met:
- Currently enrolled in the School Counseling MAEd Program
- Complete all content courses
- Complete Practicum in School Counseling
- Pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE)
- Currently enrolled in a school counseling internship
- Have a job offer from a qualified school
