Counseling and Education Professions

Counselor Education/Counseling Psychology (MA) – this is the only Counseling degree in Grand Rapids that provides all the required supervised clinical experience so that graduates can attain professional licensure to practice in schools as well as in many other types of human service organizations, and also in private practice.  No other institution locally has anything like the community-based Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (“the Clinic”) which provides real clients in a highly confidential and professional mental health setting.  The most highly respected counselors in Grand Rapids are graduates of this WMU program.

Educational Leadership (MA, EdS, PhD) – this Master’s degree is the key to attaining school administration positions, especially at the elementary and secondary building level.  Using a performance driven leadership model, WMU students learn the skills necessary to leave the classroom and lead other professional staff.  Completing a PhD program in Education Leadership is increasingly becoming the basic requirement for attaining superintendent and other central office positions, and it is the key to much higher salaries, opportunities in other districts and even faculty positions in higher education institutions. At all degree levels, WMU students benefit from a balance of theory, research and practical applications in their coursework, and interaction with highly qualified faculty.

Higher Education Leadership (PhD) – this doctoral program is unique in Grand Rapids, and is designed specifically for those who currently teach or work at community colleges and four-year colleges and universities, as well as for those who someday hope to.  It is a careful blend of theory, research and practice, with an “upside-down” approach to the dissertation that begins the doctoral research early to insure a much higher graduation rate than traditional PhD programs.  Because of the cohort nature of this program, students develop a strong professional network of colleagues.

Human Resources Development (MA) – businesses recognize that talented people are scarce commodities, so it is vital to attract, develop, promote and retain the best and brightest.  Increasingly, leadership teams in corporate and other settings are involving HRD professionals at the business strategy level to influence and deliver employee training and development to impact business results.  Instead of a broad overview of the multiple aspects of the human resources function, this program specifically provides graduates with the knowledge, skills, concepts and methods of the HRD profession.

M.A. in the Practice of Teaching (MA) – the Master’s program for teachers has been restructured to a 30-hour degree. It allows the teacher to customize their program of study to meet individual needs and professional goals. Teachers already enrolled in one of our master's degrees (Early Childhood, Elementary Teaching, or Middle School) may either complete their original program or check into transferring into the new Practice of Teaching degree.

Career and Technical Education (MA) – this has been a specialty area for WMU since 1910.  The Master’s program helps students gain expertise in career and technical education program administration, acquire advanced curriculum development and instructional competencies in career related training programs and in various school-to-work initiatives.