The School Counseling Program offers a Master of Arts in Education. This degree program requires the successful completion of 39 credit hours of graduate education.
Graduate Counselor Education Program Mission
Our mission is to prepare highly effective counselors equipped with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to serve a diverse, multicultural, and global society with marginalized populations. The faculty, current and former students, and community partners provide input to achieve our mission through the following objectives.
Graduate Counselor Education Program Student Learning Outcomes
Department Master's Program Objectives
- Foster the development of a strong professional counselor identity following the ethical guidelines outlined in the ACA and ASCA Codes of Ethics.
- Prepare culturally competent counselors to serve a diverse, multicultural, and global society with marginalized populations.
- Prepare counselors to apply human developmental theory to inform interventions across the lifespan.
- Produce counselors with a nuanced understanding of career development to conceptualize the intricate interplay between work, mental well-being, and other life roles.
- Prepare counselors who employ theoretically grounded counseling interventions to establish theory-based client outcomes.
- Prepare counselors who employ group dynamics and application of group theory in group counseling practice.
- Prepare counselors who employ ethical and culturally responsive assessment practices, strategies, and interventions in counseling practice.
- Prepare counselors who critically evaluate and utilize research methods in professional counseling.
- Produce Clinical Mental Health Counselors adept at diagnosis, mental health case conceptualization, and treatment planning.
- Prepare School Counselors to design and deliver school counseling programs utilizing the ASCA National Model.
Program of Study
The School Counseling MAE degree prepares students to work as professional school counselors in Nebraska. CSC offers two academic options in preparation for the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) Professional School Counselor endorsement. Please refer to the Counselor Education Student Handbook for more detailed information.
School Counseling-Option 1
This option is for students currently holding a valid Teaching Certificate.
Courses:
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
EDCI 631 | RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS 1 | 3 |
COUN 531 | COUNSELING AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS 2 | 3 |
COUN 533 | COUNSELING ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY 2 | 3 |
COUN 534 | FUNDAMENTALS OF ASSESSMENT | 3 |
COUN 535 | MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING | 3 |
COUN 541 | COUNSELING THEORIES 2 | 3 |
COUN 602 | PRACTICUM-SCHOOL COUNSELING 2 | 3 |
3 | 3 |
| CHILD AND ADOLESCENT COUNSELING | |
| CRISIS COUNSELING | |
COUN 632 | CAREER AND LIFESTYLE DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
COUN 634 | GROUP COUNSELING 2 | 3 |
COUN 635 | SCHOOL COUNSELING 2 | 3 |
COUN 637 | ADVANCED HUMAN DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
COUN 640 | INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING 2, 4 | 3 |
Total Credits | 39 |
School Counseling-Option 2
This option is for students without an undergraduate degree in teacher education or a valid teaching certificate seeking a Nebraska Professional School Counselor Endorsement.Please refer to the Counselor Education Student Handbook for more detailed information.
Courses:
Course List Code | Title | Credits |
EDCI 631 | RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS 1 | 3 |
COUN 531 | COUNSELING AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS 2 | 3 |
COUN 533 | COUNSELING ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY 2 | 3 |
COUN 534 | FUNDAMENTALS OF ASSESSMENT | 3 |
COUN 535 | MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING | 3 |
COUN 541 | COUNSELING THEORIES 2 | 3 |
COUN 602 | PRACTICUM-SCHOOL COUNSELING 2 | 3 |
3 | 3 |
| CRISIS COUNSELING | |
| CHILD AND ADOLESCENT COUNSELING | |
COUN 632 | CAREER AND LIFESTYLE DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
COUN 634 | GROUP COUNSELING 2 | 3 |
COUN 635 | SCHOOL COUNSELING 2 | 3 |
COUN 637 | ADVANCED HUMAN DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
COUN 640 | INTERNSHIP IN COUNSELING 2, 4 | 3 |
EDUC 530 | INTEGRATED CLASSROOM METHODOLOGY | 3 |
EDUC 639 | ADVANCED METHODS OF PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT | 3 |
EDCI 635 | CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| 3 |
| READING AND THE AT-RISK STUDENT | |
| SEMINAR IN READING: ISSUES, TRENDS AND PROGRAMS | |
| 3 |
| INTRODUCTION TO THE EXCEPTIONAL LEARNER | |
| SURVEY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION | |
Total Credits | 54 |
School Counseling Field Experience
COUN 602: Practicum-School Counseling and COUN 640: Internship in Counseling are required courses in the School Counseling program curriculum. These courses provide practical, applied experience in a school setting. Please refer to the Counselor Education Student Handbook for more detailed information.
School Counseling Endorsement
To be recommended for the Nebraska School Counselor endorsement, the student must meet all Nebraska Department of Education Endorsement requirements. Students will choose from PK-8, 7-12, or PK-12 Nebraska Department of Education endorsement levels. Please refer to the Counselor Education Student Handbook for more detailed information.
Provisional Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor (PLADC)
School Counseling students seeking licensure as a Provisional Nebraska Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor (PLADC) can complete the academic courses toward this licensure and complete field experiences under the supervision of a LADC. Don't hesitate to contact the Counselor Education Program for more information.
Provisional Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP)
School Counseling students seeking licensure as a Provisional Nebraska Clinical Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP) can add the DHHS-required CMHC courses and complete additional field experiences in a Clinical Mental Health setting under the supervision of a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner or state-approved Clinical Mental Health Provider. Don't hesitate to contact the Counselor Education Program for more information.
Graduation Without Endorsement or Certification
In rare cases, permission is granted for graduation without a recommendation for endorsement. This provision is for students who do not qualify for or have been removed from their curricular program or, due to illness or other extreme situations, a candidate will decide not to complete all professional requirements. In this situation, the candidate should contact their advisor and complete a formal request to the Graduate Dean to be allowed to graduate without completing all endorsement requirements. The Graduate Dean and the Vice President for Academic Affairs will determine the merit of the request. With permission, this will lead to an appropriate amended plan of study. Candidates who graduate without a recommendation for endorsement will not be supported for the Nebraska School Counselor endorsement in any state. The candidate must first apply for CSC graduate program readmission if they wish to complete the requirements.