Counselor Education

Welcome to the Counselor Education Program

“The Professional Educator as an effective performer, reflective decision maker and humanistic practitioner.”

The Counselor Education Program in Department of Human Services offers a graduate program leading to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Counselor Education (with options in elementary and secondary school counseling). The fundamental purpose of the program is to produce individuals who are well-qualified personally and professionally to perform effectively as professional school counselors in educational settings in a multicultural society. Faculty members of the Department are, therefore, individually and collectively committed to helping students obtain the skills and competencies and the knowledge base required to achieve this purpose.

Help Others Thrive: Build a Rewarding Career in Counselor Education

Each year, nearly 120,000 guidance and 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 guidance counseling 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 for education degree at a top program in the Palmetto State.

At SC State, graduates of our CACREP-accredited guidance counseling degree program are eligible for initial South Carolina State certification as professional school counselors.

Method of Instruction

• The counselor education program courses are offered in a face-to-face format.
• Classes meet one time per week, and students benefit with weekly live interaction with their instructor and peers.
• The courses are delivered in the evening for working students, usually from 6-9 p.m. with some courses meeting from at 5:30-8 p.m.
• Some classes are weekend courses offered 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m.

Counselor Education Program Highlights

At SC State, our 60 to 63 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 for 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 guidance counseling 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.

* The counselor education is a three-semester program (fall, spring, summer). Students are strongly encouraged to take 4 courses (fall, spring) and two courses (summer). The time will vary for students who take fewer hours.

What Can I Do With a Guidance Counseling Degree?

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 for 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

Mission

Objectives

Program Overview

Matriculation Requirements

Annual Reports

Vital Statistics

Curriculum

Admission Requirements

What Will I Study in Counselor for Education Courses?

At SC State, our counselor education degree coursework will give you an understanding of theory and concepts related to human behavior, human service systems, and problems in human behavior at all developmental levels. You’ll also gain a greater depth and breadth of insight into individual and group counseling as you meet counselor education requirements in courses such as:

• Analysis and Interpretation of Group Testing Individual and Group Appraisal
• Cross Cultural Considerations in Counseling
• Human Growth and Development

What Our Graduates Are Saying

Program alumni rated the counselor education program as exceptional in preparation as a professional school counselor. The program provided them with the knowledge and skills that are aligned with the services a school counselor performs that are outlined in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model which shows a strong school counseling identity. 

The program alumni complete follow-up surveys after graduation about the counselor education program. Graduated students were asked about their experience in the program using the following question:

Q: Based on your experience as a student in the Counselor Education Program at SCSU would you recommend others to our program to prepare for a career as a school counselor? 

• "Yes!" and "Absolutely!!!"
• "I really enjoyed the classes that I took as part of the Counselor Ed program at SCSU. My professors always took the time to answer any questions that I had in detail, and I would definitely recommend this program to anyone else seeking a career in school counseling."
• "I would say the program gave me the knowledge that I needed to work in the school system. I received daily support and encouragement from the teachers. Also, the program explained the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model thoroughly."
• "Great program."