Counselor Education

Each year, nearly 120,000 school counselors help U.S. students in their academic, emotional, and psychosocial growth and potential.

At South Carolina State University, our Master of Education in counselor education degree gives you the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for effective practice as a professional school counselor here in South Carolina and beyond.

Our Counselor Education degree is known for small classes, experts who instill in you the knowledge to succeed, and ample hands-on experiences through internships and practicums. You’ll be equipped with the counselor education requirements to pass licensure exams and better support elementary and secondary students who are facing challenges in school and life.

Gain a counselor education degree at a top program in the Palmetto State
At SC State, graduates of our CACREP-accredited counselor education degree program are eligible for initial South Carolina State certification as professional school counselors.

Method of Instruction

• Face-to-face

At SC State, our 48 to 51 credit-hour Master of Education in counselor education program provides you with the knowledge and support to become an effective school counselor in elementary or secondary schools. Our graduate degree will help you achieve counselor education requirements and licensure through:

Faculty who are experts in the field
SC State faculty members in counselor education courses are licensed in the state and bring ample expertise to your studies. You’ll work closely with these experts as you unearth new knowledge and master critical skills, and they’ll be there to help you pursue internships, practicums, and rewarding professional careers.

Internships that provide hands-on learning opportunities
SC State counselor education degree students take part in 600 hours of internships and 100 practicum hours with schools throughout the Palmetto State. You’ll have the relevant skills and experience to succeed in elementary and secondary schools, and many of our graduate students are hired by their internship or practicum sites.

Unique learning opportunities beyond your coursework
Get to know your classmates beyond the classroom through professional organizations such as the Palmetto State School Counselor Association, the American School Counselor Association, and Rho Lambda Mu, our counselor education honor society. These are great opportunities for you to network and connect with classmates, other aspiring school counselors, and experts in the field.

Did you know that careers as school counselors are expected to grow 11% over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics? That’s faster than the national average.

While many school counselor education degree recipients pursue jobs in schools, that’s not the only option once you complete SC State’s counselor education requirements. Our graduates currently work as:

• Career counselors
• Career development facilitators
• Community counselors
• Employee assistance counselors
• Mental health counselors
• School counselors
• Substance abuse counselors