Master of Education in School Counseling (M.Ed.)

 

Counseling Master's Degree: Empowering Children to Succeed

An M.Ed. in School Counseling from West Chester University will give you the knowledge and tools to promote student development and guide student success. You'll assist students in mapping out their academic careers and also identify potential obstacles that could prevent them from excelling. You'll be instrumental in supporting students in school and will help create policies and implement programs that support them beyond the classroom.

WCU has offered the M.Ed. in School Counseling for 65 years, so we understand what it takes to meet the ever-changing needs of today's K-12 students. In our program, you'll prepare for the counseling profession by training in real-life situations that allow you to effectively develop leadership skills.

Our CACREP-accredited curriculum combines theory and practice through core counseling content, school-specific specialty content, and diverse field experiences. You can pursue your M.Ed. full- or part-time through in-person courses and earn your degree in as little as two years.

 

An In-depth Look at the School Counseling Profession

As a school counselorsometimes referred to as guidance counselor—you'll assist students with their academic and developmental needs. You'll play a vital role in the education system by providing support to students through leadership, advocacy, and collaboration.

You'll help to create a safe learning environment that is fair and equitable for all students while also meeting individual needs, upholding ethical standards, and promoting student welfare.

School Counseling versus School Psychology

The goals of school counselors and school psychologists are similar, but with different approaches. They both work to encourage healthy development and support students. Where psychologists provide comprehensive services to individuals, counselors provide more general services to larger groups.

A counselor's responsibilities vary drastically depending on the age of their students. A high school counselor, for example, may work with students to determine the best college or career path, while a counselor for PK-8 may help students learn social and study skills.

Ultimately, counselors focus less on addressing mental health concerns than psychologists. They evaluate student strengths, guide their interests, and help with social and behavioral challenges. Psychologists work as liaisons for students, teachers, administrations, and families. They conduct psychological and mental assessments and design plans for intervention services.

Both roles are integral to student success.

West Chester University also offers a Master of Science in Psychology with tracks in general psychology and industrial/organizational psychology. Visit our program page to learn more.

 

Benefits of Earning your M.Ed. in Counseling from WCU

Outstanding Faculty

Every faculty member of our master of education in counseling degree program holds a Ph.D. They are all counseling professionals whose real world experience brings classroom learning to life. All actively pursue research on topics such as bullying, positive psychology, cross-cultural counseling, fan psychology, the impact of technology on adolescent development, and ethnic identity development.

Our student-to-faculty ratio in the school counseling program is 12:1, which means an engaging classroom experience and supportive mentorships.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

While all courses in the M.Ed. program are highly interactive, your field work will give you the most hands-on training. WCU's program offers field placement sites with experienced supervisors as well as professional field experience coordinators who offer assistance in securing the best placement options available. Throughout the course of the program you'll complete 700 hours of fieldwork, resulting in a strong foundation for your career.

Exceptional Exam Pass Rates

While the national average pass rate for the PRAXIS exam on the first attempt is 46%, our M.Ed. students pass at the rate of 97-100% on their first attempt.

Accreditation

WCU's M.Ed. program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the only nationally recognized body for counseling programs, and is also certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

WCU's department of counseling actively supports the pursuit of licensure by qualified graduates, and will work with you to meet your professional counseling goals.

Affordability

Affordability is in WCU's mission. It's why the tuition for WCU's M.Ed. in school counseling is one of the lowest in the region, and has been frozen for the last four years. To help make tuition even more affordable, our College of Education and Social Work awards the Cheryl Hamel School Counseling Scholarship each year. Additionally, stipend grants are available through the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) and Behavioral Health Workforce and Education Training (BHWET) organizations, and limited graduate assistantships are available through the University.

 

What Can You Do with a Counseling Master's Degree?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11% growth for school counselors through 2030. With student enrollments rising, school counselors will be in demand.

As a school counselor, you can work in:

• K-12 public or private schools
• Vocational schools
• Some professional school settings

There are also opportunities to serve as counselor at the college level, but further education or licensure may be required.

With WCU's program recognized for its rigor, our graduates are highly sought-after nationwide.

Where are our graduates?

 

What Will You Study to Earn your M.Ed. in Counseling?

As a student in the master of education in counseling program, you'll explore diverse theoretical concepts, have opportunities for research with faculty, and immerse yourself in three field experiences.

You'll gain unparalleled experience participating in student interviews alongside practicing school counselors, and design specific consultation plans. You'll learn the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, which utilizes evidence-based practices to achieve important outcomes for every student using differentiated supports to meet individual needs.