Our model for school counselor preparation is based on the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Model for School Counseling Programs® and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) standards for school counseling programs.

Elementary/Middle School Concentration: Prepares students to be a school counselor in kindergarten through 8th grades.
Secondary School Concentration: Prepares students to be a school counselor in grades 9-12.
Skills Gained: Counsel pupils, parents and teachers; assist students in planning for college/career; coordinate school and community resources to meet development needs of students; and employ cooperative methods for working with administrators and data use for student advocacy.
Expertise: Child growth and development, assessment, group-process facilitation, interviewing and consultation skills, classroom intervention techniques, interpersonal dynamics and school curriculum.
Accreditation: Our program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation in School Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Approach: We follow the American School Counselor Association ASCA Model to prepare students to run a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program.

Program of Study

Master of Education in School Counseling

Professional Studies (9)
Required (9):

• CPS 8260 Program Evaluation, Advocacy, and Leadership in School Counseling (3)
• EPRS 7900 Methods of Research in Education (3)
• CPS 7340 Social/Cultural Issues in Counseling and Psychological Services (3)

Teaching Field/Major (33)
Required (33):

• CPS 6150 Ethical and Legal Standards in Counseling and Psychological Services (3)
• CPS 6410 Basic Counseling Skills (3)
• CPS 6450 Group Counseling Systems (3)
• CPS 7260 Counseling Systems and Interventions (3)
• CPS 7300 Career Theory, Assessment, and Intervention (3)
• CPS 7450 Educational and Psychological Appraisal (3)
• CPS 7500 Individual and Family Over the Life Span (3)
• CPS 7550 Consultation in School Counseling (3)
• CPS 8380 Family Systems and Interventions (3)
• CPS 8430 Advanced Counseling Skills OR another appropriate course may be substituted with the approval of the student’s advisor/program coordinator.
• CPS 8470 Crisis Intervention (3)

Select one of the following two options (9):

Elementary-Middle Grades School Counseling (9)
Required (6):

• CPS 6020 Introduction and Professional Orientation to Elementary and Middle School Counseling (3)
• CPS 8400 Introduction to Play Therapy (3)

Elective (3)
Choose One Course (3)

• CPS 8100 Psychobehavioral Diagnosis (3)
• CPS 8300 Traumatology (3)
• CPS 8540 Child/Adolescent Psychopathology (3)
• CPS 8600 Advanced Play Therapy (3)
• EPEL 7000 Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture (3)
• EPEL 7410 Instructional Leadership (3)
• EPRS 7910 Action Research (3)

Secondary School Counseling (9)
Required (3):

• CPS 6030 Introduction and Professional Orientation to Secondary School Counseling (3)

Select One Course (3):

• CPS 8400 Introduction to Play Therapy (3)
• CPS 8460 Biopsychosocial Aspects of Addiction (3)

Elective (3)
Choose One Course (3)

• CPS 8100 Psychobehavioral Diagnosis (3)
• CPS 8300 Traumatology (3)
• CPS 8540 Child/Adolescent Psychopathology (3)
• CPS 8600 Advanced Play Therapy (3)
• EPEL 7000 Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture (3)
• EPEL 7410 Instructional Leadership (3)
• EPRS 7910 Action Research (3)

Applied Practice (9)
Required (3):

• CPS 7661 Applied Practice I: School Counseling (3)

Required (6):

• CPS 7681 Internship: School Counseling (6)

Program total: minimum of 60 semester hours

Admissions Requirements

Select concentration in:

• Elementary/Middle School Counseling
• Secondary School Counseling

When applying to the School Counseling, M.Ed. program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

• Online Application
• Application Fee of $50
• Goals Statement (upload with the application)
• Resume (upload with the application)
• Three Letters of Recommendation (identify your recommender on the application)
• Official Transcript: minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA required for admission
  • submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

GRE scores:

• institution code 5251
• scores may not be more than five years old at time of application submission

If you do not already meet certification requirements in Georgia, you will also need to complete the following prior to program admission:

• GACE Program Admission Assessment
  • You may exempt this test if you have received appropriate minimum scores on the ACT/GRE/or SAT.
  • View exemption score details.
• Click here for information and how to register for the GACE Program Admission Assessment.

Please Note:

Interviews will be conducted by department faculty — you will be notified if you are selected for an interview.

Funding Your Graduate Education

Cost of attendance and funding opportunities are integral to your decision to attend graduate school. Georgia State University is proud to offer a variety of funding opportunities, from assistantships to fellowships.

Awards and Assistantships

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. We encourage you to contact your department, college, school or institute of interest to get more information about the assistantships and fellowships that they offer their students.

The Scholarship Resource Center offers guidance and support to students seeking financial assistance through scholarship opportunities, including this scholarship library.

Fellowships

The Office of Graduate Programs’ Fellowship Advisor works with students interested in applying for nationally prestigious and competitive fellowships. The Office of Graduate Programs also coordinates the application process for students applying to the Second Century Initiative, the Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Dissertation Library Travel Awards.

Cost Calculator

Our calculator can help you get an idea of the costs associated with attending the university.

The program for the major in school counseling is designed to prepare students for certification. Degree requirements may exceed the minimum number of hours for professional certification. The ACA requires 700 hours of supervision during practicum/internship in School Counseling. In addition, the Counseling and Psychological Services Department requires 200 hours of supervision in school counseling during practicum/internship for students that do not possess a S-5 certification in Georgia Public Schools. The School Counseling program offers concentrations in either elementary/middle school or secondary school.