School Counseling (M.A.)

The Counseling program offers an M.A. in School Counseling for students whose academic backgrounds include educator preparation or certification as well as for those who do not.

Program Overview

Students in the College of Education’s School Counseling program take coursework in a variety of areas such as developmental aspects of student learning & behavior, school counseling legal and ethical issues, college and career development, school counseling appraisal methods, counseling theories, group work, counseling special populations, research, and program evaluation.

The School Counseling MA degree aligns its competencies and preparation standards with those of the Florida Department of Education and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model, ASCA school counselor preparation standards, and professional mindsets and behaviors.

Students who are not certified teachers or have not taken educational preparation courses will be required to enroll in two additional courses and complete all subsections of the state FTCE exam to qualify for state certification. 

With strong demand for school counselors in every community, our students have the opportunity to make a widespread impact. Because the calling is so vital, we prepare our graduate students with a high degree of counseling competence, technological skills, and a minimum of 600 hours of supervised internship (over three semesters, 200 hours per semester). Students will learn how to address issues such as college & career readiness, social-emotional learning, and academic achievement — all in local schools throughout SW Florida. Internships can only be completed during the day, Monday through Friday, when schools are in session (i.e., Fall and Spring terms).

Program Facts

  • Two-Year Program
  • Virtual Coursework
  • Certification at Graduation

How We Prepare Our Students to be Effective School Counselors
  • Mentoring
  • Supportive classmates in your cohort
  • State of the art, hands-on experiential learning
  • Supervised internships
  • Professional engagement, leadership, and advocacy
Advantages for School Counselors
  • High demand for school counselors in SW Florida
  • Work with K-12 students and families throughout the school year
  • Make a positive difference in the lives of children
  • Work with the whole child: academic, career, social, and emotional
ASCA-Aligned Curriculum
  • The FGCU School Counseling Program is aligned with the ASCA school counseling curriculum standards (PDF).

 

Transition to School Counseling Certificate

The College of Education offers a Transition to School Counseling Certificate for students who have a prior master's degree in community or mental health counseling. Your master’s degree must be in counseling. A degree in other areas, including educational degrees (e.g., educational leadership or curriculum), are not eligible for the certificate.

Note: The College of Education is no longer accepting applications for the Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 academic year.

Information for Current and Prospective Students

  • Accreditation

  • Admissions Information

  • Program Requirements

  • Course Descriptions

  • Course Schedule

  • Learning Outcomes

  • Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance

  • School Counseling Programs of Study

School Counseling (M.A.)

Learn about the School Counseling (M.A.)  at FGCU

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Learn about the School Counseling (M.A.)  at FGCU

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