MEd in Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology with Emphasis in Mental Health Practices in Schools
The online Mental Health Practices in Schools program is intended for school personnel, educators and other community mental health professionals who work with children and adolescents in schools and community agencies. This includes elementary and secondary teachers, special education professionals, school counselors, school nurses, administrators, at-risk coordinators and resource officers, safety coordinators, substance abuse coordinators, speech/language pathologists, itinerant and migrant educators, and private practitioners.
Courses are designed to offer practical applications of psychological concepts and are taught by experts in the field. The program identifies and deals with issues that promote positive mental health of children and adolescents. Courses in the program provide a solid base to increase awareness, knowledge, and skills in areas such as:
- Identifying and assessing evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies and programs
- Communicating effectively with parents, children and school personnel
- Building resiliency and optimism in children and adolescents
- Increasing awareness of multicultural and diversity issues
- Understanding mental, emotional, and behavioral factors in youth
- Managing crisis interventions
- Applying wellness management for self and others
- Implementing positive behavior support and strategies in the classroom
- Collaborating with families and other school personnel
Note: This program does not provide school counselor certification, nor any professional counseling licensure.
Degree Requirements
This is a 34 credit hour program. Students take 25 hours of required course work and 9 hours of electives.
| Required Courses | 25 | |
| ESC_PS 7160 | Child and Adolescent Development in Schools | 3 |
| ESC_PS 7460 | Foundations of School Mental Health | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8020 | Overview of Research Methods | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8430 | Mental, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders in Youth | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8440 | School Mental Health: Policy, Law and Ethics | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8450 | Diversity Issues in School Mental Health | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8460 | Communication and Collaboration with Children and Families | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8470 | Preventions and Interventions in School Mental Health | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8490 | Mental Health in Schools Capstone Paper | 1 |
| Elective Courses | 9 | |
| ESC_PS 8087 | Seminar in Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology (Empirically Supported Treatments and Interventions for Youth Mental Health) | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8087 | Seminar in Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology (Understanding and Addressing Youth Trauma in Schools) | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8370 | Social Emotional Learning | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8425 | Effects of Maltreatment on Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8435 | Wellness Management for School Personnel | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8445 | Building Resiliency and Optimism in Youth | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8455 | Bully and Youth Violence: Prevention and Reduction | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8465 | Vital Issues in School Mental Health | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8475 | Proactive Behavior Management | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8550 | Diversity and Multiculturalism II - Practical Application | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8555 | African American Education - Historic and Current Issues | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8560 | Immigrant Issues in Education | 3 |
| ESC_PS 8565 | Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues in the Schools | 3 |
Additional Electives are available through the other ESCP online programs with advisor approval.
Thesis/Non-Thesis Requirements
Capstone paper
The program requires a capstone integrative paper allowing students to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired through the program's course work.
Admissions
Applicants are required to meet two sets of minimum qualifications for admission: the requirements of the MEd in Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology program (below) 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.
Admission Criteria (M Ed)
- Successful completion of the baccalaureate degree at an accredited college/university.
- 3.0 or better grade point average in the last 60 hours of baccalaureate coursework
- TOEFL score: Minimum 580 (paper) or 92 (ibt). Applies to non-native English speaking applicants only. If the non-native English-speaking applicant has successfully completed one year of full-time post-secondary (college-level) study in a country where English is the native language within the past two years, then the TOEFL is waived.
- GRE scores are NOT required.
Application Process
- Complete the online Graduate Admissions application.
- As part of the submission process, applicants are required to upload UNOFFICIAL copies of all transcripts to the online application. NOTE: If you are accepted by our academic program, you will then be asked to provide official copies of all transcripts to: Graduate School, University of Missouri, 210 Jesse Hall, Columbia, Missouri 65211.
- Three letters of recommendation will need to be submitted via the online application. Each recommender will receive directions on how to submit the recommendation once you have entered their contact information in the application system.
- You must also provide the following supplementary materials: Personal Statement and Vita/Résumé via the online online Graduate Admissions application. In your statement describe:
- Your previous/current experience serving in a teaching, helping or counseling role,
- Your interests and career objectives,
- How these interests and career objectives have developed, and
- How being accepted into the program will benefit your career aspirations and help you act upon your beliefs, goals, and philosophy. Include interests and experiences working with diverse groups (e.g. ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, religious, ability status, sexual orientation, grade levels, ages), leadership roles, or other skills or experiences (not previously mentioned) that you believe distinguish you as a candidate for graduate study. (Please limit to 1000 words).
- If your native language is other than English, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required. Please send this to the Graduate School using school code 6875.
- Please be sure to upload all supplemental materials BEFORE you submit the application.
For applicants currently enrolled as graduate students at MU
- Complete the Change of Degree form.
- Provide unofficial copies of your University of Missouri transcripts.
- Provide 3 letters of recommendation.
- Provide supplementary materials: Personal statement and Vita/Résumé.
Send application materials to David Lineberry (Lineberry@missouri.edu) or mail to the ESCP Dept., 16 Hill Hall, Columbia, MO 65211
Application deadline: None - rolling admission.