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Education, School Counseling, M.Ed.

The Master of Education in school counseling prepares educators for careers as school counselors in PK-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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Flexible Courses Offerings

Courses are offered in the evening, on weekends, and in online/hybrid formats to allow for flexible scheduling.

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

GVSU's education program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

100%
Of Faculty Have Practitioner Experience

Each faculty member is an experienced education practitioner.


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, manage, implement, and assess a comprehensive school counselor program.

The program is available online for remote students 60 miles or more from campus.

Why Study School Counseling at Grand Valley?

  • Flexible classes offered evenings, weekends, online/hybrid, and during summer make it easier for working adults to plan their schedules.
  • Faculty members, with extensive experience as school counselors, support and encourage success among students in their academic endeavors at Grand Valley and later in their careers.
  • Students have the opportunity for early exposure to area professionals through practica and internships in the field of school counseling.
  • All emphasis-area courses, practica, and internships are specific to PK-12 educational settings.
  • Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.

Accreditation

Grand Valley State University's College of Education and Community Innovation is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA). The faculty are leaders in their fields, melding together the philosophy of education and your needs as a practitioner.

Location & Format

Classes for graduate students in this major meet downtown on the Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus or online for those who live 60+ miles away.

Format:

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:

  • Anti-racist practices
  • College and career readiness
  • Social/emotional development
  • Academic development
  • Educational policy
  • Counseling techniques

Career Options

The curriculum prepares students for work in PK-12 school settings. The degree leads to a school counselor endorsement on a current teaching certificate or a school counselor license in Michigan.

Application Deadline

Deadline for fall semester is July 15; winter, November 15; spring/summer, March 15.

Early application is strongly encouraged. Applications are semester specific, thus applications received after the deadline must be resubmitted for consideration. Late applicants should contact program director Star Zetocha, [email protected]. The $30 nonrefundable application fee is waived if you have previously applied to GVSU.

Admission Requirements

For general requirements for graduate admission, visit Grand Valley State University’s admission section of the online catalog.

Admission into a master's of education program has additional requirements, which are available on this page.

If you have additional questions, please contact our graduate admissions office.

International students, please note: This program does not offer enough consecutive physical classroom presence for a student to qualify for an F-1 visa.

For More Information

College of Education and Community Innovation

gvsu.edu/education/grad
401 Fulton Street West, Building C
(616) 331-6650
[email protected]

Graduate Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/gradapply

Program Director

Star Zetocha, Ph.D.
(616) 331-6288