MEd in Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology with Emphasis in School Counselor, Elementary, Certification

Students who select this specialty have an interest in working as elementary school, middle school, or high school counselors. The curriculum of this specialty is based on the scientist-practitioner model of training as well as the comprehensive school guidance and counseling program model, both of which emphasize the best in counseling psychology theory, research, and practice. The missions of the MU School Counseling Masters and Specialist degree programs are to prepare individuals to practice successfully as entry-level multiculturally sensitive professional school counselors in socially and economically diverse work settings.

Degree Requirements

The specific courses that meet these requirements are as follows:

I. General Psychology Core9
Lifespan Development
Ethical and Legal Issues in Psychological Practice
Foundations of Educational and Psychological Measurement
II. Counseling Psychology Core21
Theories and Techniques of Counseling
Foundations of Career Psychology
Methods in Group Counseling
Counseling Methods and Practices (Secondary)
Psychological Assessment in Children and Adolescents: Behavior and Social Emotional Assessment
Psychological Interventions with Children and Adolescents: Behavioral Intervention (Elementary)
Psychological Interventions with Children and Adolescents: Evidence-Based Therapies (Elementary)
III. Practicum12
Secondary school counseling students must complete two practicums in a secondary school setting for a total of 9 semester hours. Elementary school counseling students must complete two practicums in an elementary school setting for a total of 9 semester hours. Students wishing all level certification are required to complete an additional 3 hours of practicum in the setting in which they did not previously complete a practicum plus complete all of the other coursework in both elementary and secondary school counseling.
Counseling Psychology Practicum
IV. Specialty Requirements12
Parent Counseling and Consultation
Introduction to School Counseling
Program Evaluation for School Counselors
Multicultural Issues in Counseling
V. Required Teacher Education courses to fulfill the State of Missouri requirements for School Counselor candidates who are not Certified Teachers
Inquiry Into Learning I
Inquiry into Learning I - Field Experience
Teaching the Exceptional Learner
Behavioral and Classroom Management
VI. Credential Preparation
Candidates must apply for an official evaluation of their credentials in the Office of Certification, 102 Hill Hall prior to the completion of the last 15 hours of required course work.
VII. Licensure, Certification and Registry
The courses in this planner are designed to meet the requirements of the Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology (42 hours), the College of Education, and the University of Missouri Graduate School. They also fulfill state certification requirements to become entry-level professional school counselors, but do not fulfill requirements for state licensure as a psychologist or counselor, for certification as a marriage and family therapist, alcoholism counselor or other specialties, or certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors. If you wish to fulfill the requirements for licensure, certification or registry, you will need to inform yourself accordingly and add to your M.Ed. degree planner the additional coursework necessary. Information about psychologist and counselor licensure, certification, and registry in Missouri is available in Room 16 Hill Hall.
VIII. Prerequisites to Master’s Programs
In order to apply for any master’s degree program in the Department of Educational, School, & Counseling Psychology, an applicant either must have completed or plan to complete 15 hours of prerequisite course work as indicated below:
Statistics. A course in statistics covering descriptive statistics, correlation, t-tests and Chi-square.
Psychological Theory. Two courses in psychological theory (not including the introductory course in psychology) for example: personality, social, developmental or learning.
Additional Courses. Two additional courses in education, psychology and/or sociology.
If you are deficient in one or more of these areas, you may still be admitted with the provision that you make up any prerequisites during your graduate enrollment. Such make-up work will not count toward the hours required for any degree.
IV. Policy on Non-degree Graduate Students (NGS) for School Counseling
If admitted to an ESCP program, a NGS may apply up to 12 hours. The ONLY courses a NGS may take to apply to the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling program are:
Lifespan Development
Foundations of Career Psychology
Foundations of Educational and Psychological Measurement
Introduction to School Counseling

Back to Top

Sample Plan of Study

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ESC_PS 71203ESC_PS 80403ESC_PS 80703
ESC_PS 81353ESC_PS 80603ESC_PS 81103
ESC_PS 81403ESC_PS 81653ESC_PS 84103
ESC_PS 84153SPC_ED 43103 
 12 12 9
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
ESC_PS 80823ESC_PS 71303 
ESC_PS 84153ESC_PS 81653 
ESC_PS 89406ESC_PS 81453 
ESC_PS 90004ESC_PS 89406 
 16 15  
Total Credits: 64

Back to Top

Thesis/Non-Thesis Requirements

Students will required to complete state requirements for licensure, including the Missouri State Performance Task Assessment for School counselors and the state licensure exam for school counselors.

Admissions

Applicants are required to meet two sets of minimum qualifications for admission: the requirements of the MEd in Educational and Counseling Psychology program and the minimum requirements of the Graduate School. Because requirements vary, you must refer to a degree program's graduate admission page to learn about specific admission criteria, application deadlines, eligibility and application process. Your application materials will be reviewed by both the Graduate School and the degree program to which you’ve applied before official admission to the University of Missouri.

Back to Top