This program is offered in-person or online.
The Master of Education in Counselor Education program in School Counseling is designed for adults who want to enter the school system as school counselors, either on the elementary or secondary level. Students who successfully complete the program will obtain both a graduate degree and recommendation for licensure through the state to become a school counselor.
Requirements for Admission
Admission to the program is not based on any single factor, but on a composite assessment of the following:
- Graduate Application (online) and non-refundable application fee.
- Submission of official transcripts reflecting the baccalaureate degree and any graduate coursework delivered directly from the accredited college or university attended. Applicants are expected to have a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate grade point average.
- Submission of a detailed personal statement (1,500-3,000 words) which informs the faculty about the applicant’s personal and educational background and strengths/weaknesses, as they are related to career goals, aptitude for graduate level study for in-person as well as online coursework, potential for success as a counselor, and respect for cultural differences.
Program Requirements
Elementary or Secondary School Counseling Specialization
Students specializing in elementary or secondary school counseling complete both a Zucker Family School of Education core and a Counseling core for a total of 60 credit hours. Part of the coursework includes a 600 clock-hour internship (internship I and II) in either elementary (K-8) or secondary (6-12) school counseling settings. Students are required to earn a minimum score of 156 on the PRAXIS II test for Professional School Counselor prior to enrolling in the practicum (EDUC 629). This must be on file at The Citadel Graduate College.
- PSYC 500 Human Growth and Development
- EDUC 500 Foundations of American Education
- EDUC 512 Data Collection and Analysis
- EDUC 514 The Exceptional Child in the Schools
- EDUC 515 Introduction to the Counseling Profession
- EDUC 521 Program Planning, Management, and Evaluation in School Counseling
- EDUC 522 Critical Educational Issues in a Multicultural Society
- EDUC 549 Applied Measurement Techniques
- EDUC 550 Career Counseling and Development
- EDUC 551 Counseling Theories and Practice
- EDUC 552 Group Counseling
- EDUC 561 Counseling Diverse Populations
- EDUC 563 College Counseling
- EDUC 567 Assessment of Abnormal Behavior
- EDUC 592 Teaching Reading and Writing in Middle and High School Content Areas
- EDUC 624 Basic Counseling Skills
- EDUC 629 Practicum in School Counseling
- One (1) Approved 3 Credit Hour Graduate Elective
- EDUC 650 & EDUC 652 (Elementary School Counseling Internship I & II) elementary specialization only
- EDUC 651 & EDUC 653 (Secondary School Counseling Internship I & II) secondary specialization only
Licensed Professional Counselor OR National Certified Counselor certifications
For students who have completed the M.Ed in Counselor Education with a specialization in elementary or secondary education, the following additional coursework is necessary for students seeking Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) status from the State of South Carolina.
- EDUC 567 Assessment of Abnormal Behavior or EDUC 568 DSM 5 may be used to fulfill the Diagnostics of Psychopathology course requirements
- More information about the LPC application process can be found at https://llr.sc.gov/cou/
Elementary or Secondary School Counseling Certification (South Carolina State Licensure Program)
The curriculum for this licensure is the same as the M.Ed in Counselor Education.