Student Learning Outcomes - The graduate with an Education Specialist degree in Professional Counseling will use the knowledge, skills and dispositions obtained in the program to:
- Demonstrate all student learning outcomes required in the MS in Counseling
- Develop and demonstrate a specific area of expertise relevant to the student’s anticipated work setting.
- Demonstrate leadership in professional counseling.
Applicants who hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution are eligible to apply to Graduate Studies for admission to the Education Specialist degree programs. Individuals interested in this degree should review the appropriate section of the graduate catalog for the general policies and requirements for this degree. To be accepted into the Professional Counseling Education Specialist program, students must have achieved a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.25 on the master’s degree, a combined score of 900 (GRE completed prior to August 2012) or 295 (GRE completed after August 2012) on the verbal and quantitative portions, and 3.5 or greater on the analytical writing measure of the Graduate Record Examination. If an applicant has not achieved the admission criteria, a written request documenting evidence of potential success may be submitted to the Admissions and Standards Committee for consideration. All other application procedures for admittance to the Counselor Education Program apply to admission for the Education Specialist Degree Students who desire to complete requirements for the elementary or secondary school counselor certificate in an education specialist program of study must satisfy requirements for the provisional school counselor certificate prior to beginning the education specialist degree program of study. The remaining requirements for certification may be fulfilled as part of the education specialist degree.
Working with a program adviser, each student will develop an individualized program of study that is appropriate to career objectives, certification, or licensure goals. Currently, courses are available for specialization in school counseling, licensed professional counseling, and play therapy.
An approved post-degree supervision plan is required for the Licensed Professional Counselor by the Missouri licensure committee.
Candidates applying for licensure on the basis of a master’s degree must have a minimum of 3,000 hours of post-degree supervised experience. Candidates applying for licensure on the basis of an education specialist’s degree must document a minimum of 1,500 hours of post-degree supervised experience.