College of Education

Professional Counseling Specialist in Education Program

• Application Materials Required by Education Specialist Programs
• Application Deadlines
• Current Handbook          
• Admission Statistics
• More information

Professional Counseling Faculty:  Gary Arthur, Ph.D. - Program Coordinator, Catharina Chang, Ph.D., Brian Dew, Ph.D., Roy Kern, Ed.D., Diane Levy, Ph.D. , Jonathan Orr, Ph.D., &  Karen Ripley, Ph.D.

The specialist degree for the major in professional counseling prepares counselors to function at higher levels of competence in their work settings.

Students are exposed to a wide range of therapeutic models and counseling styles.  Graduates of this program are found working in mental health agencies, correctional settings, family counseling centers, business and personnel positions, private practice, and many other settings requiring expertise in human resource development. 

At completion of the program, the counselor is prepared to: Work individually with clients on educational, vocational, social, emotional, or personal problems, consult with other professionals and administrators concerning the client's developmental needs, participate in psychological assessment programs, including the interpretation of test results, provide information and understanding to clients in the areas of educational, social, or vocational planning, and conduct and facilitate local research efforts. 

Evaluation of a student's performance is continuous and involves consideration of the student's academic performance as well as the student's performance in laboratory, practicum, and internship classes. A student may be withdrawn from a course and/or the program if the welfare of the student's clientele or prospective clientele or the functioning of a school or agency is, in the judgment of the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services faculty, in jeopardy as a result of the student's behavior.

Program of Study

Courses taken before admittance into the Ed.S. program will not be credited toward the degree.
Courses completed at the master’s level cannot be used as duplicate credit for the Ed.S. degree.

A. Advanced Research (3)
Required (3):
EPRS 8530 Quantitative Methods and Analysis in Education I (3)

B. Major (15)
Required (15):
CPS 8450 Advanced Group Counseling (3)
CPS 8470 Crisis Intervention (3)
CPS 8530 Professional Issues and Decisions (3)
CPS 8650 Advanced Counseling Theory (3)
CPS 8660 Applied Practice II: Professional and Rehabilitation Counseling (3)

C. Electives (12)
The Department of Counseling and Psychological Services has developed a research track and clinical track from which students can select electives. Although it is not required, designating either the research or clinical track is recommended to assist students in developing advanced skills and expertise. In addition, designation of a track and elective selection can be helpful in satisfying the residency requirement. A list of the courses included in each track can be found in the bookcase in room 950 (CPS main office). Students can choose electives that are 7000-level or above in programs from the College of Education or the Sociology, Psychology, or Anthropology Departments in the College of Arts and Sciences.

D. Residency Requirement

Program total: minimum of 30 semester hours