Graduates from the School Counselor Education (M.S.Ed.) program will demonstrate knowledge, skills, technical competencies, and dispositions to function proficiently as school counselors in the 21st century. The school counseling program emphasizes experiences in educational settings where our graduates will be sensitive to the context of all candidates. Proficient school counselors work in primary, elementary, middle, and high school settings and create an atmosphere where all candidates can learn. The program meets all the educational requirements for the Professional School Counselor Certificate, Level 5. By taking three courses per semester, the program can be completed in almost two years, but most candidates will take fewer courses and extend their programs. The program considers candidates’ backgrounds and adds knowledge, skills, values, and professional practices, which will allow them to be employed in Georgia schools and to build upon their interests and experiences.

Classes are held at the Warner Robins Center.

Master of Science in Education
(M.S.Ed.) in School Counselor Education (48 hours)

Program of Study

Pre-Cohort Requirements (6 hours)
EDUC 5503 Fundamentals of Research Design 3 hours
EDSC 5123 Intro to School Counseling 3 hours
FVSU 0500 Orientation to Graduate Studies 0 hours

Cohort Requirements (18 hours)
EDSC 5033 Career Counseling 3 hours
EDSC 5143 Counseling Theories 3 hours
EDSC 5223 Comprehensive School Counseling 3 hours
EDSC 5373 Group Counseling 3 hours
EDSC 5233 Counseling Interventions & Prevention 3 hours
EDLD 5203 Foundations of Professional Ethics and School Law 3 hours

Non-cohort Requirements (12 hours)
EDSC 5013 Evaluation & Testing in Education* 3 hours
EDSC 5103 Human Growth & Development* 3 hours
EDSC 5303 School & Family Consultation* 3 hours
EDSC 5203 Counseling Diverse Populations* 3 hours
EDUC 5793 Applied Research Practicum* 3 hours 117
* Can be taken at any time in the program and are preferred but not required for placement in the Field Experience.

Field Experience (9 hours)
EDSC 5793 School Counseling Practicum 3 hours
EDSC 5893 School Counseling Internship I 3 hours
EDSC 5993 School Counseling Internship II 3 hours

Important Note: Program candidates who wish to receive a clear renewable certificate as a school counselor must complete and pass GACE, a state technology competency certification, and the Introduction to Exceptional Child course (EDUC 5253). The Exceptional Child course is required in addition to the course work specified on this balance sheet if candidates have not previously taken a course in the identification and education of children with special needs, as required by “House Bill 671.”

A capstone research project is proposed in the first semester of the program and completed prior to graduation. This activity encourages school counseling candidates to be data-oriented and helps them to contribute to the educational mission of the school.

Three semesters of clinical field experience totaling 700 hours are required. During the practicum (100 hours) candidates observe and shadow their site supervisors while also gaining 40 contact hours with students During internship (600 hours, 300 per semester) candidates perform the actual duties of a school counselor under the supervision of a practicing school counselor. Candidates should discuss placement with their advisor. Applications for the practicum and internship should be made the semester before practicum/internship field experiences begins. Candidates should pick up a practicum/internship handbook and become familiar with its content before application is made. Practicums may be performed in a school setting or in a clinical setting; internships must be performed in a school setting.

The graduation requirement for this program is a cumulative grade point average of not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, passing scores on the GACE content exams (GACE 103 and 104) which serve as the department’s comprehensive exam, and successful completion of an action research project.

M.S.Ed in School Counselor Education graduates are eligible for certification and school counseling positions in primary, elementary, middle and high school settings. They may also register for state and national examinations to be eligible for private practice. Candidates will be exposed to all levels of educational settings, pre-K through 12, throughout the program. This will enhance their ability to obtain a position in the field upon graduation and certification.

Master of Science in Education
(M.S.Ed.) in School Counselor Education (48 hours)

Program of Study

First Semester (summer)
EDUC 5503 Fundamentals of Research Design 3 hours
EDSC 5033 Career Counseling 3 hours
EDSC 5013 Evaluation & Testing in Education* 3hours
FVSU 0500 Orientation to Graduate Studies 0 hours

Second Semester (fall)
EDSC 5123 Intro to School Counseling 3 hours
EDSC 5143 Counseling Theories 3 hours
EDSC 5103 Human Growth & Development* 3 hours

Third Semester (spring)
EDSC 5223 Comprehensive School Counseling 3 hours
EDSC 5233 Counseling Interventions & Prevention 3 hours
EDSC 5303 School & Family Consultation* 3 hours

Fourth Semester (summer)
EDLD 5203 Foundations of Professional Ethics and School Law 3 hours
EDSC 5373 Group Counseling 3 hours
EDSC 5203 Counseling Diverse Populations* 3 hours

Remaining courses to be taken
EDUC 5793 Applied Research Practicum 3 hours
EDSC 5793 School Counseling Practicum 3 hours
EDSC 5893 School Counseling Internship I 3 hours
EDSC 5993 School Counseling Internship II 3 hours

* Can be taken at any time in the program and are preferred but not required for placement in the Field Experience.

Total 48 hours