Program Benefits
Western Michigan University's Master’s Program in School Counseling is nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (www.cacrep.org) This program provides students with 36 credits of in-depth coursework in school counseling as well as supervised counseling experience.
The program offers three options:
- Elementary
- Secondary
- Career Development Specialist.
Graduates of the program who have a teaching certificate are endorsed as School Counselors. Graduates of the program who do not have a teaching certificate receive a School Counselor License (SCL) which allows them to work in the schools. All graduates of the School Counseling program are also eligible for licensure as a Professional Counselor. Being a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) enables the WMU graduate to practice professionally outside the school setting.
The Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology prepares individuals for positions as counseling psychologists, community counselors, school counseling practitioners, student affairs professionals and rehabilitation teaching specialists. Graduates of master’s programs are employed in a variety of settings, including colleges, universities, mental health agencies, hospitals, public and private school systems and private practice. Through coursework and practica, the department emphasizes education and a developmental/preventive philosophy while honoring the traditions of the scientist/practitioner model of training.
Department faculty members provide leadership at the national, state, and local levels. Service on key committees for state, regional and national associations, editorial boards for leading journals, as well as publications and referred presentations attest to their abilities and commitment to the professions represented by the department. Their varied educational backgrounds and interest areas provide students with opportunities for a wide range of classroom and research experiences.
The Department’s master’s programs are designed to prepare individuals for entry-level positions in counseling, psychological and personnel services. All programs require a minimum of 48 semester hours of course work.
The department requires 18 credit hours of core courses, 8 credit hours of practicum, 1-7 credit hours of advisor approved electives and counseling specialty courses for a total minimum of 48 semester hours. The curriculum is built on six core courses (18 hours) which emphasize the acquisition of knowledge and skills common to all master’s programs in the department.
Each approved specialty program requires a 600 clock hour supervised field practicum. A minimum of 240 of the 600 clock hours must be in a direct service to clients appropriate to the specialty program and the setting. Students eligible for the professional field placement should consult with their academic advisor regarding appropriateness of the proposed site.
Admission to the program is based upon grade point average, educational background, and counseling or student affairs related experiences. Students must have an undergraduate grade point averaged of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to gain regular admission to the program. On occasion, students may be admitted on probationary status. Additional materials may be required such as letters of recommendation, test scores, and personal interviews. Applicants are also required to complete a departmental questionnaire.
