M.S. in Counseling

Master of Science in Counseling - School Counseling

School counselors play a pivotal role in helping students set personal goals, enhance academic achievement, and plan for their future careers. In addition to fostering individual student growth, school counselors contribute to the overall educational philosophy and development of the schools they serve. If you are ready to take on this impactful and rewarding challenge, the Department of Advanced Educational Programs offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Science (M.S.) in School Counseling program designed to help you meet state licensure requirements.

The 60-hour M.S. in School Counseling program aligns with CACREP curriculum standards and is specifically designed to prepare you for a comprehensive approach to student development. You will be equipped to help students build the academic, social, and emotional skills necessary to thrive in today's dynamic world. Over the course of the program, you will engage in advanced coursework covering theories of counseling, developmental issues, and evidence-based practices. In addition, you will gain hands-on experience through required practicum and internship placements in real-world educational settings.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to apply for licensure as a school counselor through the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE). This program provides the foundational knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to effectively serve students and schools across Kansas, ensuring that you are fully prepared to support student success and well-being.

THE COUNSELING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The goals of the Counseling Program at Fort Hays State University are as follows:

1. To prepare counselors to identify the philosophy, trends, ethics, and professional standards of the counseling profession, and understand the contextual dimensions of the clinical mental health and school counseling professions.
2. To prepare counselors to differentiate social and cultural characteristics across diverse groups, identify theories and models of multicultural counseling, and will understand the impact of diverse clients and the counseling process.
3. To prepare counselors to relate theories of human development to the counseling practice, and design developmentally appropriate counseling interventions.
4. To train counselors to identify the major theories of career development, and apply the concepts of career counseling.
5. To train counselors to make and use observations of the helping relationship, and apply the concepts of counseling skills to work effectively with individuals possessing diverse characteristics and strengths. To prepare counselors to identify and apply the major counseling theories.
6. To prepare counselors to identify the major techniques and theories of the group counseling process, and apply the concepts of group counseling.
7. To train counselors to identify the major assessment instruments innate to clinical mental health counseling, legal and ethical use of assessments, and show their ability to apply the use of assessment techniques.
8. To prepare counselors to apply best practices of research and program evaluation. To train counselors to critique and contribute to research in counseling.
9. To prepare counselors to assume the roles of their specialization area by training counselors to understand, identify, and practice counseling in the areas of school or clinical settings.
10. To develop the ability, through practicum and internship experiences, to integrate knowledge and skills for competent counseling practice.
11. To develop, through self-reflection and critical thinking, a further self-awareness and understand roles in the counseling process. Develop a personal counseling orientation and ability to assume roles as advocates in the field while maintaining professionalism throughout the program and as future professional counselors.

The School Counseling Program will prepare the student for licensure in Kansas. Those residing outside the state should refer their questions to: Dr. Sarah Lancaster

School Counseling – State Certification Requirements

• Licensure Program Options
• Meet the Faculty
• Admission Requirements

For more information, please see Licensure Disclosure. 

Information for Current Students

Accreditation Reports

• 2022-2023 Annual Vital Statistics Report

Contact Information

For more information about the School Counseling program, you may contact Mrs. Kristin Hernandez at krhernandez@fhsu.edu,785-628-4626