Program Overview
A quick look at our online MSE in School Counseling
Gain the specialized knowledge and qualifications needed to support K-12 students academically, behaviorally, socially, emotionally, and vocationally with the MSE in School Counseling – General Track. Develop the expertise to become a culturally responsive, data driven, and analytical school counselor in this 100% online clinically based program. Build your credentials in diagnostic criteria, family systems, consultation, career and college readiness, research and assessment and other critical areas instrumental for students' holistic development and prepare to practice in K-12 public or private schools nationwide.
$15,888
Total Tuition
As few as 24 months
Program Duration
48
Credit Hours
$15,888
Total Tuition
As few as 24 months
Program Duration
48
Credit Hours
This online Master of Science in Education in School Counseling provides you with observational and application-based experience working with K-12 students so they can thrive in school and beyond. Teaching experience is not required for admission, and coursework is delivered 100% online—making this program flexible and accessible for recent graduates and working professionals alike.
In this MSE degree program, you will gain an understanding of:
- Diagnostic criteria and best practices to support student mental health and wellness
- Consultation and collaboration with critical stakeholders to promote student success
- Utilization of family counseling, family systems and family engagement to augment student performance
- Amplification of counseling services through research and assessment, data interpretation, statistical concepts and evidence-based practices
- Exploration of career and college options to promote post-secondary preparation and readiness
Arkansas State University is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly known as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), 1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036. Phone: 202-223-0077.
The A-State MSE in School Counseling program is a 48 credit hour, student-centered program that is approved by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE). The program prepares students to work as transformational school counselors in both public and private schools within the K-12 setting.
This track will specifically cover:
- Knowledge pertaining to diagnostic criteria and its impact on identifying and supporting students with mental health disorders
- Career counseling to amplify student post-secondary and workforce readiness
- Consultation to enhance collaboration between critical stakeholders and improve student learning outcomes
As licensure requirements may change without notice, it is the responsibility of the student to confirm the requirements for licensure in his/her state as it applies to the participation in an out-of-state degree program.
Also available:
Tuition
Affordable tuition designed for you
Our MSE in School Counseling – General online program features the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition for all U.S. residents. Total tuition includes all fees.
| Per Credit Hour | Per Course | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total | U.S. Resident Tuition | Required Fees | Total |
| $291.00 | $40.00 | $331.00 | $873.00 | $120.00 | $993.00 |
Calendar
Important dates and deadlines to keep in mind
Our MSE in School Counseling – General online program is designed to be flexible and convenient for working professionals, with accelerated coursework and multiple start dates a year.
Next Start & Application Due Dates:
| Term | Length | Course Begin | Course End | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Deadline | Last Day to Withdraw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2023 | 5 wk | 05/30/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 05/15/2023 | 05/19/2023 | 05/25/2023 | 05/26/2023 | 06/19/2023 |
| 5 wk | 07/03/2023 | 08/04/2023 | 06/19/2023 | 06/23/2023 | 06/29/2023 | 06/30/2023 | 07/21/2023 | |
| Fall 2023 | 7 wk | 08/21/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 08/07/2023 | 08/11/2023 | 08/17/2023 | 08/18/2023 | 09/22/2023 |
| 7 wk | 10/16/2023 | 12/08/2023 | 10/02/2023 | 10/06/2023 | 10/12/2023 | 10/13/2023 | 11/17/2023 | |
| Spring 2024 | 7 wk | 01/08/2024 | 02/23/2024 | 12/15/2023 | 12/19/2023 | 01/04/2024 | 01/05/2024 | 02/09/2024 |
| 7 wk | 03/04/2024 | 04/26/2024 | 02/19/2024 | 02/23/2024 | 02/29/2024 | 03/01/2024 | 04/05/2024 | |
| Summer 2024 | 5 wk | 05/28/2024 | 06/27/2024 | 05/14/2024 | 05/17/2024 | 05/23/2024 | 05/24/2024 | 06/14/2024 |
| 5 wk | 07/02/2024 | 08/01/2024 | 06/18/2024 | 06/21/2024 | 06/27/2024 | 06/28/2024 | 07/26/2024 |
Admissions
What you need to know to apply
A-State Online offers a streamlined admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. To be admitted to the MSE in School Counseling – General online program, students must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 GPA. A teaching certificate is not required for this program in Arkansas.
Please note, meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission. Student applications that meet minimum requirements are forwarded to the School Counseling Program Coordinator in the Department of Psychology and Counseling for final review, after which a decision on admission will be determined. Students should check for specific requirements in their state. See full admission requirements below.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited university with at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA
If you have lower than a 2.75 GPA, you may still be admitted, dependent upon your references and your essay responses.
Note: If you are admitted and have less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA, you must make a grade of B or better during the first 12 hours of graduate work at Arkansas State University
- Two references who could speak to your professional responsibilities and academic potential
- Answers to three essay questions (listed below)
- Complete online application
- Submit a nonrefundable $30 fee
- Have official transcript(s) sent from the registrar of the college/university attended. Official transcripts are sealed transcripts sent from the granting institution
Supply the email addresses for two references who can speak to your professional responsibilities and academic potential
One recommender must be a work supervisor while another must be a faculty member in your most recent academic program of study. If you have not been enrolled in an academic program for at least five years, you may substitute an additional recommendation from a current or former employer.
Please note: All recommendation letters are confidential. MSE School Counseling Applicants waive their right to view these recommendation letters after submission.
Complete three essay questions as part of your application. You will upload your answers as either a .pdf or Word document. The questions are:
- Discuss your interest in Arkansas State University's School Counseling program. Please share relevant professional experiences and discuss how these experiences have impacted your goals of pursuing a degree in school counseling in working to foster social/emotional, career, and academic success for all.
- In accordance with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA)'s National Model, please discuss the significance of being a culturally responsive and data-driven school counselor in today's global and dynamic society.
- Share the attributes you possess that will enable you to be successful in a fully online and rigorous graduate program. Also, please describe your professional disposition, as well as how your disposition will impact the critical stakeholders you interact with while in graduate school, as well as in your future work setting.
Additional Information
Unless otherwise noted, Arkansas State University has not confirmed if a program has met requirements for an out-of-state licensure. Please refer to the Program Approval Map to determine which programs are eligible to be offered in states and to find relevant State Agency contact information. Eligibility to offer in a state does not guarantee the program will meet state licensure/ certification requirements.
Note: To verify that an applicant can be recommended for licensure in another state, he/she must be eligible for professional licensure in the state of Arkansas. It is the responsibility of the student to confirm the requirements for licensure in his/her state as it applies to the participation in an out-of-state degree program.
Please contact your state's Professional License Department/Board to ensure that your chosen distance education program meets your state's requirements in which you intend to practice.
- Students who fall below the minimum admission requirements (GPA) or who are denied may send a written letter of appeal, GRE or GMAT scores (may be unofficial), and additional supporting information to [email protected]
- The appeal request will be forwarded to the department chair for conditional admission review.
Applicants with prior "F" or "D" grades at the graduate level in any graduate program will not be admitted to the A-State MPA program. In addition, students who earn failing ("F") grades in the A-State MPA program are ineligible for readmission to the program. The only exception is with the Capstone.
Up to 9 graduate hours from A-State or other higher education institutions may be credited toward a program. No course can be older than six years by graduation time. Transfer credit will be evaluated by the Director of the Program. To request prior credit be evaluated, please complete the Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form.
Submit all documents to:
A-State OnlineP.O. Box 2520
State University, AR 72467
Fax: 870-972-3548
Email: [email protected]
For Non-US Postal Mail Overnight Delivery Only:
Academic Partnershipsc/o Central Receiving
2713 Pawnee St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Courses
View the online MSE in School Counseling curriculum
MSE School Counseling program course schedule
Students in the MSE in School Counseling – General online program must complete a total of 48 credit hours. Required coursework includes 11 core courses (33 credit hours) and five clinical and co-requisite courses (15 credit hours).
COUN 6603: Foundational Knowledge of Professional School Counseling and Professional Practice
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
History and scope of the school counseling profession, including the development trajectories of diverse learners and appropriate scope of school counseling practice in varied educational settings.
COUN 6033: Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of societal changes and trends, human roles, societal subgroups, social mores and interaction patterns, and differing lifestyles as they relate to the application of professional counseling assessments and techniques.
PSY 6543: Psycho-Social Aspects of Development
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of psychological theories of development across the life span, including the influence of environmental factors upon personality, normal and abnormal behavior, and adjustment. Students are required to apply developmental concepts to the counseling profession.
COUN 6043: Career Development and Services
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of career development theories, and lifestyle and career decision making models. The application of the theories and models across the life span and populations utilizing occupational information, assessment instruments and computer/Internet resources as career counseling tools will be addressed.
COUN 6053: Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Counseling
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of ethically and legally sound counseling practice in the school setting. This course will examine the ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies and will explore applications of ethical and legal considerations specific to professional school counseling.
COUN 6843: Theories of Professional School Counseling
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Foundational individual and group counseling and education theories used in school counseling for successful student outcomes.
COUN 6123: Group Counseling
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of the principles of group dynamics; group leadership styles; applications of helping relationship theories in group settings; group counseling methods and skills; and other group approaches. Prerequisite: PSY 6113.
COUN 6883: Introduction to Crisis and Trauma in Children and Adolescents
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Impact of crises and trauma-causing events on cognitive and emotive development in children and adolescents, including social and emotional learning, self-regulation, and relationship building.
PSY 6613: Professional Consultation
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
A study of roles and characteristics of consultants and consultees, legal and ethical issues in consultation, and evaluation of consultation practices. Includes practical experiences for skills development. Prerequisite: PSY 6113.
COUN 6483: Family Counseling
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Systems theory and family counseling approaches, including an overview of family development, life cycle perspectives, theories, and interventions with an emphasis on collaborating with families and best practices that can be used in the school setting. Corequisite: COUN 6663.
COUN 6663: Techniques and Instructional School Counseling Interventions
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Foundational individual and group counseling skills for student success, including assessment of individual students’ academic, college/career and social/emotional needs and identification of evidence-based direct and indirect school counseling activities in support of student success.
COUN 6063 is taken as a co-requisite of Counseling Practicum. COUN 6653 is a co-requisite of School Counseling Internship I and School Counseling Internship II and should be taken alone.
COUN 6063: Diagnosis and Treatment
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Methods and research of clinical systems, assessment of psychopathology, and diagnosis, including diverse theoretical approaches to treatment planning and clinical practice issues. Introduction to the treatment of substance related and addictive disorders.
COUN 6653: Research and Assessments
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Assessment and various research designs, including quantitative and qualitative methodology, basic statistical terminology, needs assessment, program evaluation, and critiquing of research. Ethical and culturally responsive strategies for interpreting and reporting findings are addressed.
COUN 6213: Counseling Practicum
Duration: 10-15 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
The purpose of this course is to train students to develop, maintain, and utilize a helping relationship to benefit a client population through assessments, direct counseling services, and/or consultation. Further, this course will provide student interns with a highly individualized, advanced practical experience working with adolescents in a comprehensive developmental counseling program. Spring duration: 15 weeks, Fall duration: 15 weeks, Summer duration: 10 weeks. Prerequisite: Completion of all required program coursework, portfolio, and/or permission of department chair. Student must earn a grade of “B” or better to advance to the next Counseling Internship Course.
COUN 6223: Counseling Internship - Elementary School
Duration: 15 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Supervised practice including individual counseling, group work, developmental classroom guidance, consultation, and program coordination activities. Prerequisite: Completion of all required program coursework, portfolio, and/or permission of department chair.
COUN 6233: Counseling Internship - Secondary School
Duration: 15 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Supervised practice including individual counseling, group work, developmental classroom guidance, consultation, and program coordination activities. Prerequisite: Completion of all required program coursework, portfolio, and/or permission of department chair. Student must earn a grade of “B” or better to advance to the next Counseling Internship Course.
Applicants seeking an Arkansas teaching license by reciprocity who hold a valid license from another state in Childhood (P-4), Elementary Education (K-6), Middle Childhood (4-8), or Secondary Social Studies (7-12) must meet an Arkansas History requirement by documentation of the successful completion of three (3) college credit hours in Arkansas History at an accredited college or university OR a 45-hour professional development piece in Arkansas History through Arkansas IDEAS. Applicants holding a valid license in areas other than the four mentioned above do not have to meet the Arkansas History requirement. HIST 3083 History of Arkansas (offered in summer terms only) meets the Arkansas history requirement.
HIST 3083: History of Arkansas (or equivalent transfer course)
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
UNITED STATES HISTORY. An advanced survey of Arkansas history from prehistoric times to the present with an emphasis on political, economic and social/cultural themes. Required of BSE Social Science majors.
Next Start Date: