Earn Your Master of Education in Counseling and Development with a Specialization in Professional School Counseling Online

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This online degree program is designed to prepare school counselors to serve the academic, career, personal and social needs of culturally diverse students in the elementary, middle and secondary schools.

Apply by: 12/26/24
Start class: 1/16/25

Program Overview

Gain insight into our 100% online Professional School Counseling M.Ed.

Learn how to identify risk factors and incorporate developmental, ethnical, legal and gender-appropriate strategies and techniques to meet the counseling needs of children and adolescents with the Master of Education in Counseling and Development with a Specialization in Professional School Counseling online.

In this online educational master’s program, you will examine various theoretical, behavioral and play therapy techniques and study effective interventions for children, adolescents and transitional-age youth at risk for developing, or who have developed, a recognized behavioral health disorder. You will also gain professional expertise to help bridge community and school mental health services using an integrative approach.

Taught by the same award-winning faculty who teach on campus, this M.Ed. meets the educational coursework for the School Counseling Certification and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas and includes one residency††, one 15-week practicum and one 15-week internship.

In this online school counseling master’s program, you will:

  • Examine various theoretical, behavioral and play therapy techniques
  • Study effective interventions for children, adolescents and transitional-age youth at risk for developing, or who have developed, a recognized behavioral health disorder
  • Gain professional skills to help bridge community and school mental health services using an integrative approach
  • Examine various theoretical, behavioral and play therapy techniques
  • Study effective interventions for children, adolescents and transitional-age youth at risk for developing, or who have developed, a recognized behavioral health disorder
  • Gain professional skills to help bridge community and school mental health services using an integrative approach
Total Tuition $20,520*
Duration As few as 30 months
Credit Hours 60

*Distance learning fee is included in the tuition listed

Accreditation

AAQEP Logo

Lamar University’s M.Ed. in Administration, M.Ed. in Counseling and Development – Prof. School Counseling, and Program Certificate in Principal Education are accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

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Need More Information?

Call 866-223-7675

Call 866-223-7675

Tuition

Pay for your online program by the course

The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing a Master of Education in Counseling and Development with a Specialization in Professional School Counseling online. Our tuition is affordable and can be paid by the course.


Financial Aid

Ready to get started on your degree program online but need help finding ways to fund your education? We can help you discover student financing sources that include grants, loans and other payment options. Learn more about financial aid here.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $20,520*
Per Credit Hour $342

Calendar

Here are important dates you need to know

Our master’s in school counseling online program features multiple start dates to accommodate your busy schedule. Find the start date that works best for you and apply before the application deadline associated with it.

5 week coursesProgram Start DateApplication DeadlinePayment DueLast Class DayTEA Requirement DeadlineDepartment Required Deadline
Fall 311/4/2410/14/2410/28/2412/5/2410/28/2410/21/24
Spring I1/16/2512/26/241/9/252/19/251/9/251/2/25
Spring II2/27/252/6/252/20/254/2/252/20/252/13/25
Spring III4/7/253/17/253/31/255/7/253/31/253/24/25
Summer I5/29/255/8/255/20/256/27/255/22/255/15/25
Summer II6/30/256/9/256/23/257/31/256/23/256/16/25
Fall 29/29/259/8/259/23/2510/29/259/22/259/15/25
Fall 311/3/2510/13/2510/28/2512/4/2510/27/2510/20/25

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 12/26/24
Class Starts 1/16/25

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

Admissions

Read the details for the Lamar University school counseling master’s

The Master of Education in Counseling and Development with a Specialization in Professional School Counseling online program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.

Admission Requirements:

  • Minimum 2.75 Undergraduate GPA
  • No teaching certificate or service record required

University Admission Requirements

  • Online Application & Fee: University requirements will be assessed by the online application through ApplyTexas.org. There is a one-time application fee of $25.
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended*
  • Conferred degree GPAs will be used for admission purposes. Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 in the conferred bachelor’s degree will be denied admission. Applicants with a conferred master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA and above will be accepted.
  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

Waivers of any experience or certification requirements will be initiated by Lamar University Admissions staff as necessary in instances where they may not apply, such as applications from states that do not require certification for licensure.

The Department of Counseling Admission Requirements

The Department of Counseling requires the following for admission to the program. Instructions for the department application and professional reference will be e-mailed to you after your ApplyTexas application is processed. Instructions for submitting additional documents will be e-mailed separately if accepted to the program.

  • Department application with essay responses
  • Reference: Please provide a professional reference from someone that is familiar with your professional competencies and leadership skills. Note that a personal friend or family member should not be used as a professional reference.

Note regarding Practicum/Internship: Applicants seeking certification in Texas must conduct practicum/internship activities on a TEA-approved public or private school campus.*** To determine if your school is TEA approved, please use the following links: public school or private school.

View information regarding licensure outside the state of Texas. Students who do not conduct practicum activities on an approved campus in Texas are not eligible to apply for certification in Texas or take the Texas principal certification exam/assessment.

**Please note that out-of-state students may not be required to meet this criteria.

***Not applicable to out-of-state students unless taking the TExES Principal Exam.

Send all required documents to:

Lamar University Online Admissions
PO Box 10017
Beaumont, TX 77710
Lamar University Online Admissions


OR

Submit electronically to [email protected]

* Lamar University Office of Admissions will no longer require community college transcripts for graduate applicants. Official transcripts from all other institutions will be required. However, if a department or program wishes to review a community college transcript for decision purposes, the department or program may directly request the applicant to submit the official community college transcript(s) to the Office of Admissions for processing.

We reserve the right to review individual applicant qualifications for admission. Final determinations for admission are based upon a number of criteria. We reserve the right to refuse student entrance or terminate a student after admission to a program if, in the judgment of the faculty, the student demonstrates unacceptable professional fitness to practice in their particular field of study with children, youth, and/or adults.

Now that you have completed the Apply Texas application, click here for FAQ’s and next steps in the admissions process.



Monalisa McGee

Having such a varied background, I have been able to share many stories and experiences that help the students to better understand concepts they are learning in classes.

Monalisa McGee, Lamar University Faculty

View Monalisa McGee's profile »

Courses

Discover more about our online professional school counseling program

Courses in the M.Ed. in Counseling & Development - Professional School Counseling are designed to meet the educational requirements set forth by the state of Texas for counseling programs in Texas. View information regarding licensure outside the state of Texas.

Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of normal human development and the stages of physical, intellectual, social and emotional growth from prenatal origins through old age.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on the foundations of professional counseling. The course includes an exploration of the history, philosophy, trends, and practice of counseling; the roles and functions of the counseling profession to include the ethics, laws, and guiding principles for mental health counselors, marriage, couple and family counselors, and school counselors across practice settings; methods and models of clinical supervision; professional organizations, preparation standards, and credentials; and other related professional issues.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides specialized knowledge and skills training in counseling children and adolescents. Students will learn to assess behavior and incorporate developmentally, ethnically, legally, and gender appropriate strategies and techniques to meet the needs of counseling children and adolescents. Students will examine various theoretical, behavioral, and play therapy techniques for counseling children and adolescents.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An introduction of facilitation skills and theory. In depth analysis and demonstration of various facilitation techniques for use with counseling clients.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Theories of individual counseling with an emphasis on techniques and applications. Level 1 course required prior to CNDV 5310 & 5312.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An analysis of group counseling theories, processes and techniques; pre-practicum course.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Studies in human diversity and cultural issues. Identifies the implications for counseling and learning and strategies for cross cultural effectiveness in various settings.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An overview of the profession with an emphasis on legal issues, ethical principles and professional standards of conduct in the area of counseling.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A focus on theories of vocational choice, vocational assessment, sources of occupational and educational information and the career decision process. Prerequisites: CNDV 5301 or permission of instructor.
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A focus on theories of vocational choice, vocational assessment, sources of occupational and educational information and the career decision process. Prerequisites: CNDV 5301 or permission of instructor.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses application of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling and human service settings. Emphasis is placed on national and current state board rules, records management, strategies for personal and professional self-evolution, implications for practice, and client and professional advocacy.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course prepares mental health professionals in the basic diagnostic systems, research and explanations of psychopathology and basic working knowledge for integrating psychopharmacology for effective coordinating of services in an integrated health mode.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to advance the professional competence of the counselor, the course is a study of the design and management of a comprehensive developmental guidance program. Emphasis is placed on the planning and implementation of a guidance curriculum appropriate for the needs of school age children and youth.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Provides an understanding of individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation to include basic statistical concepts; standardized and nonstandardized testing; strategies for selecting, administering and interpreting assessment; and evaluation instruments in educational and counseling settings.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A study of various symptom categories in psychopathology. The course will include an analysis of the diagnostic categories as well as the research concerning etiology and treatment. Prerequisites: Approval of instructor or 12 semester hours of CNDV coursework.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces students to counseling research and provides them with a foundation in the design of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches to research and program evaluation in counseling. An emphasis is placed on evaluating research and applying research outcomes to practice. Students are exposed to legal and ethical issues associated with human subjects' protection.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Designed to advance the professional competence of participants. For each seminar, a description of the particular area of study will be indicated. May be repeated for credit when nature of seminar differs sufficiently from one previously taken. Prerequisites: CNDV 5311 or approval of instructor.
Duration: 5 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An intensive exploration of the dynamics of interpersonal relationships, including family and social issues. A critical analysis of various techniques and approaches will be established. Development of personal counseling skills will be of major concern. Prerequisites: CNDV 5322, CNDV 5311. Course is available in 5 or 15 weeks depending on the program.
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A field-based course with supervised observation and practice of guidance and counseling in a school setting during the school day.
Duration: 15 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to offer students practical experience in the field of counseling specific to the school setting. Through reading, assignments, supervision and counseling experience, students will have an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the role of the school counselor and diverse learners in the pre-k through 20 learning environment. Prerequisites: CNDV 5390 or CNDV 5393 with a minimum grade of C.

**The Residency courses requires travel and lodging for a one-week stay at Lamar University or selected location: Residency

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