Master of Science in Counseling School Counseling Specialization

Thank you for your interest in our School Counseling Program. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Counseling Program will not be accepting applications for our program for a start in the fall 2021 academic year. Program faculty are actively working to re-craft the program. We believe the new ideas we’re considering for content and delivery of classes will better accommodate and provide for the development of students as they pursue their professional aspirations. We hope that you will consider applying for the fall 2022 school year.

Please let us know if you’d like to be notified when new information regarding the program becomes available.

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About

The SOC code for this particular occupation is 21-1012.

In the Master of Science in Counseling – School Counseling specialization, classes and experiences are organized to provide a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge generally recognized by the counseling profession. The program is accredited by CACREP and exceeds the Washington state requirement for ESA-School Counselor Certification.

Practical application is stressed and students are provided early and continuous skill practice with personalized feedback and coaching. Continuous opportunities for expanding awareness of the self of the counselor will be provided.

For additional information, please contact psychology@ewu.edu.

Additional Information

The Counseling: School Counseling program at Eastern Washington University is committed to the selection, training, supervision, and professional success of counseling students, in keeping with the high standards established by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). As a regional teaching university, EWU has a proud history of providing education to a high percentage of first-generation college students, often from under-represented and lower socioeconomic communities, a tradition which the Counseling program maintains. Thus, counselor training occurs in a learning community that is intentionally focused on both skills development and personal growth of the counselor-in-training. In this way, Counseling fulfills its purpose of preparing competent and caring professional counselors to meet the needs of diverse urban and rural communities.

Classes and experiences are organized to provide thorough instruction in the skills and knowledge generally recognized by the counseling profession to be effective with a K-12 population. Candidates not only focus on the following in the graduate classroom, but also for the K-12 population he or she will serve: academic, career, and personal/social development. The program is not only accredited by CACREP but is approved by the Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB). Graduates of the program meet the requirements to become an Educational Staff Associate (ESA), the credential held by School Counselors.

Candidates of the program will have education and experiences shaped by the ASCA (American School Counseling Association) National Model.  They also have the opportunity to be mentored by professionals in the community while they complete an internship. This relationship helps guide the candidate in construction of a professional portfolio, which is a product of the knowledge and skills gained through the graduate experience. Themes include leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and systemic change, which are incorporated into the components of the ASCA model. The components are foundation, management, accountability, and delivery. Instruction includes all of these aspects, along with the CACREP core competencies, providing graduates with a solid entry point for a rewarding career.

YearNumber of GraduatesCompletion Rate*NCE Pass Rate**Placement Rate***
20204100100100
2019888%100%100%
201811100%100%100%
20178100%100%100%
2016360%100%100%
20154100%100%50%

When a student graduates from this program, he or she is able to enter the workforce at the MA + 45 level at any school district in Washington.

*Percent of students who graduated within the expected time frame
**National Counselor Exam or the WA state licensure exam
***for students seeking job placement

Each of our students gets hands-on experience during the program. Many students serve in local or area school districts. For information about field experience and internships, visit our Field Experience page.