School Counseling Program

CACREP accredited until March 31, 2032.

School Counseling (M.Ed.) - The Master of Education with a specialization in School Counseling is geared to prepare graduates to implement comprehensive school counseling programs based on research and national standards. Graduates will be eligible for certification as school counselors K-12.

The emphasis of this masters degree program is developmental in nature and focuses on prevention and early intervention, and the skills children and adolescents need in order to be successful.

FAU graduates receive coursework and supervised field experience in four direct counseling services which become the backbone of their program as school counselors. These four direct services are: Individual counseling, group counseling, classroom guidance and consulting with teachers and parents.

Some of the specific group and classroom guidance topics professional school counselors lead include: school success skills, social skills, career awareness, anger management, conflict resolution, violence prevention, and dealing with divorce and loss.

Preparing for Your New Career

This 60 credit hour masters degree program provides a solid foundation in counseling theory and techniques plus specialty courses in counseling children, counseling adolescents, foundations of school counseling and consulting with parents and teachers. A practicum and an internship in a school setting are the culminating experiences for this program.

Course work emphasizes experiential and active learning and practical application.

Graduates emerge as experienced providers of the essential counseling services included in a comprehensive school counseling program. FAU school counseling graduates are highly sought after and have an excellent track record after being hired, having a rehire rate of 100%.

Suggested Course Sequence for Full Time Student

Courses to be Taken Prior to Practicum

Processes in Counseling (MHS 5005)
Counseling Theories and Techniques (MHS 6401)
Life Span Development (MHS 6482)
Appraisal and Evaluation in Counseling (MHS 6220)
Group Counseling (MHS 6510)
Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling (MHS 6700)
Fundamentals of School Counseling (SDS 5010)
Counseling Children (MHS 6421)
Counseling Adolescents (MHS 6423)
Consultation and Behavior Management (MHS 6600)

Courses to complete program

Multicultural Counseling for Diverse Populations (MHS 5428)
Career Development (MHS 6340)
Family Counseling (MHS 6430)
Counseling and Evidence-based Research (MHS 6710) or Educational Research Methods (EDF 6481)
Educational Statistics (STA 6113)
Practicum in Counseling (MHS 6800)
Internship (SDS 6820)
Two Electives

All courses are 3 credit hours, with the exception of the Internship which is 6 credit hours.

Note: A maximum of eighteen credit hours of course work taken in the Department of Counselor Education, at Florida Atlantic University prior to admission may be approved toward program requirements.

Prerequisites for the Degree in School Counseling:

Students who do not have a Professional Teaching Certificate must have completed all Professional Preparation courses required by the Florida Department of Education for certification prior to graduation from the Counselor Education program.

Admission Process and Requirements:

Application Static Deadlines for School Counseling track: Sept. 15 (domestic) or July 1st (international) for Spring admission; January 15 for Fall admission (domestic and international).

For more information, please contact the Department of Counselor Education at 561.297.3602 or email our program at schoolcounseling@fau.edu