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Education, School Counseling, M.Ed.
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling prepares educators for careers as school counselors in K-12 public, private, and charter schools. The program is approved by the Michigan Department of Education and guided by the American School Counselor Association National Model.
Visit the program website for more information.
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Source: EMSI, 2020
Program Overview
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling includes important educational components for individuals who wish to become school counselors. The program is designed to prepare students with the skills needed to develop and manage a comprehensive school counselor program.
Career Options
The curriculum prepares students for work in K-12 school settings. Students have the opportunity to design their program of study with a targeted emphasis for elementary, middle, and/or high school students. The degree leads to a school counselor endorsement on a current teaching certificate or a school counselor license in Michigan. For more information, visit gvsu.edu/grad/counseling/.
Why Study School Counseling at Grand Valley?
- Professional Identity. Emphasizes an educator-first identity with a specialty in counseling.
- Hands-on. Students have the opportunity for early exposure to area professionals through practica and internships in the field of school counseling.
- Intentional. All emphasis-area courses, practica, and internships are specific to K-12 educational settings.
- Career-oriented. Leadership and professional engagement is available through the School Counselor Graduate Student Organization.
- Supportive. Faculty with extensive experience as school counselors encourage success among students in their academic endeavors at Grand Valley and later in their careers.
- Flexible. Evening, weekend, online/hybrid, and summer classes make it easy for working adults to schedule.
Coursework
The school counseling program is guided by the American School Counselor Association National Model. It includes a minimum of 36 credits and is designed to be completed in two academic years for full-time students or a minimum of three academic years for part-time students. Subjects include:
- Cultural competency
- College and career readiness
- Social/emotional development
- Academic development
- Educational policy
- Counseling techniques
Skills Employers Want
School counseling graduates leave with the following skills:
- Classroom management
- School learning
- Educational policy and practice
- Social/cultural foundations
- Research
- Inquiry and evaluation
- School counseling
- Social and emotional development
- Cultural competency
Application Deadline
Deadline for fall semester is May 15; winter deadline is September 15; spring/summer deadline is February 15. Early application is strongly encouraged, those received after the deadline will be considered for the next cycle. The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if the applicant has previously applied to Grand Valley State University. Please visit gvsu.edu/gradapply/.
Admission Requirements
All students seeking degree, endorsement, approval, license or certificate change must be formally admitted to graduate study. A maximum of six graduate credits earned prior to graduate admission may apply to degree requirements.
In addition to university admissions requirements in the GVSU Catalog, students must meet the Master of Education (M.Ed.) Admission Criteria.
- Application Materials: Graduate application, application fee, official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended, and copies of teaching/administrative certificates if required for program admission or approved waiver;
- Recommendations: Three professional or academic recommendations on COE recommendation forms, addressing the candidate’s potential for graduate study;
- Grade Point Average: Grade point average of 3.0 or better for the last 60 credits of undergraduate work taken from a regionally accredited institution; or
- Previous Master’s Degree: A prior master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution will be accepted in lieu of the minimum grade point average.
Candidates should submit materials to GVSU Admissions, Allendale, MI 49401. When all application materials have been received, Admissions will forward the complete portfolio for consideration to the College of Education - Student Information and Services Center. Candidates should allow 4-6 weeks for written notification of their admission status.
Visit the College of Education page for alternate criteria and policies.
Helpful Links
For More Information
College of Education
gvsu.edu/grad/counseling
401
W. Fulton St, Building C, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
coeserve@gvsu.edu
(616) 331-6650
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