Skip to main content

Master of Arts in School Counseling

MA On-Campus Main Campus
DEGREE TYPE

Master's Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Graduate

APPLY NOW

Learn to listen, lead, and lift up. Find your fearless.

The Master's in School Counseling program trains you to make a difference. Students seeking guidance on navigating school, peer pressure, bullies. Students determining their futures and what academic paths they should take. These are the lives and decisions you can support as a school counselor.

The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Where Bold Ideas Take Shape in School Counseling

The Master's in School Counseling program focuses on preparing you for counseling certification as an elementary or secondary counselor.  You’ll be prepared by:

  • Gain knowledge in the nine core counseling areas.
  • Gain hands-on experience with interviewing and counseling skills through a supervised practicum.
  • Become competent in your selected theory category to specific student client cases through a supervised internship.

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

Over 90% of graduates are employed as school counselors, primarily in the Southeast region.

Internship and Employment Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Elementary School Counselors
  • Secondary School Counselors
  • K-12 School Counselors

Request Info

We'd love to help you learn more about SEMO! Tell us how we can get in touch.

Loading...

School Counseling Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

Salaries & Careers With a Master's Degree

Turn Ambition Into Action

With a master’s degree in school counseling, you’re prepared to serve as certified school counselors in K-12 Missouri schools. There will be one practicum (150 hours) and 9 credits of internship (600 hours). High-quality, experienced, full-time faculty provide support, supervision, and mentorship throughout the program. The program is CACREP-Accredited and DESE-Approved.

In addition to the criteria established for general admission to graduatestudies, applicants must have the following:
  1. An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
  2. One letter of recommendation submitted directly to the Office of Admissions prior to admission. The letter should be addressed to the Director of Admissions.
  3. Either hold a valid professional teaching certification at the appropriate level or provide evidence of competency in the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's required areas of teaching methods, teaching practices, classroom management, and psychology of the exceptional child by completing two specific education courses.

International applicants must also have a minimum IELTS Academicscore of 7.0, TOEFL iBT score of 95, PTE Academic score of 64 orDuolingo English score of 125. This requirement is for non-United Statescitizens who are not native English speakers. Students from countrieswhere English is known to be the official language of education areexempt from English proficiency verification. For a complete list of countries, visit International Admissions Policy.

Students will have an interview with member(s) of the counseling faculty prior toadmission. Students must complete a personal statement essay describing theirdecision to pursue counseling as a career prior to the scheduled interview (submitdirectly to the Department of Psychology and Counseling). Following the interview,faculty will offer provisional admission, probationary admission, or deny admission.

To become fully admitted, applicants must complete the following: Satisfactorilycomplete CP610 Counseling Orientation and Ethics during their first semester andsubmit two additional letters of recommendation directly to their advisor.

Probationary Admission

Probationary admission will be considered by the program admissions committee ifthe applicant has a 2.75 to 2.99 undergraduate GPA or if the applicant has achieved aGPA of 3.25 during the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. Students admitted to thecounseling program on probation must attain a 3.5 GPA for the first 9 hours ofgraduate work. Unless authorized by the advisor, probationary students must includethe following courses in the first 9 hours of coursework: CP610 CounselingOrientation and Ethics, CP 612 Counseling Theories, and CP691 Research Methodsand Program Evaluation in Counseling. A student earning any grade less than a "B" inany of the first nine hours, but still maintaining a 3.0 GPA, will be allowed to repeatthe course one time and must earn a grade of "B" or better.

Appeals Process and Program Retention

Applicants who are denied admission can appeal to the Counseling ProgramAdmission Committee. For program retention requirements, review the GraduateBulletin at semo.edu/grad/bulletin.

For graduate studies admissions deadlines, visithttps://semo.edu/admissions/requirements/graduate.html.

Required Courses

  • CP610 Counseling Orientation and Ethics (3)
  • CP611 Developmental Theories (3)
  • CP612 Counseling Theories (3)
  • CP613 Social & Cultural Aspects of Counseling (3)
  • CP614 Counseling Skills (3)
  • CP615 Career Development (3)
  • CP616 Group Counseling (3)
  • CP617 Assessment in Counseling (3)
  • CP630 Foundations of School Counseling (3)
  • CP631 Crisis Intervention and Consultation (3)
  • CP632 Applications of School Counseling (3)
  • CP643 Psychodiagnostics and Treatment (3)
  • CP652 Introduction to Play Therapy (3)
  • CP658 Advanced Play Therapy (3)
  • CP661 Addictions Counseling (3)
  • CP680 Counseling Practicum (3)
  • CP682 Internship Elementary (3)
  • CP683 Internship Secondary (3)
  • CP684 Internship School Counseling (3)
  • CP691 Research Methods and Program Evaluation in Counseling (3)
  • GR698 Master's Final Comprehensive Examination (0)

Prerequisites:

  • Teaching Certificate

OR


If no teaching certificate:

  • EX390 Psychology & Education of the Exceptional Child

OR

  • EX635 Psychology and Education of Students with Special Needs

AND

  • EA658 Instructional Strategies and Classroom Management

OR

  • SE635 Theory of Learning and Instructional Strategies

The School Counseling Program at Southeast Missouri State University is
accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related
Educational Programs (CACREP). Students graduating from a CACREP
program are assured a quality educational experience. The School Counseling
Program at Southeast Missouri State University is also accredited by the
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Missouri
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The School Counseling
Program prepares graduate for school counseling certification as an
Elementary and/or Secondary School Counselor.

Graduate Assistantships

The graduate assistantship (GA) is designed to provide support during full-time graduate study. It’s an opportunity for the graduate students to serve in a professional role while establishing a professional relationship with faculty and administrators. In addition to a per-year stipend, GAs gain valuable experience. There are two kinds of assistantships: teaching and administrative.
Red theme background

What will it cost?

College of Education, Health and Human Studies

This program is housed in the College of Education, Health and Human Studies, where students prepare for careers that change lives. Whether you want to educate, improve health, support individuals and families, or help communities thrive, you'll gain the knowledge and hands-on experience to make a meaningful impact.
The exterior of the Scully Building.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Getting the Job

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. SEMO's Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. Our boldly supportive team will provide the expertise and support you need, so you're landing your dream job.

Graduate Coordinators

Graduate coordinators serve as the contact for graduate programs. The coordinators are most often faculty within the college that houses the program, helping you to get questions answered and first-hand knowledge of the degree requirements and placement opportunities.
Portrait of Janice Ward

Accreditations and Verifications

Location

Office Location

Scully 404

Mailing Address

One University Plaza, MS 5700
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701