Master in Education (M.Ed.)

45 Credits

Program Description:

This program is designed to prepare counselors to provide individual or group counseling services in K-12 schools. It provides counselors with the background in the principles, theories, and practice of guidance and counseling in a school setting. The graduates from this program will be able to interact with students who require effective communication, conflict management, problem solving, and decision making. The goal of this program is to develop counselors who possess the needed competencies to perform the duties in an effective manner at the school setting. Students must meet all state requirements to obtain certification in the area of educational guidance and counseling.

The practicum in teaching provides students with field experiences to demonstrate mastery of the accomplished practices in a school setting during the regular school year. Students must make arrangements to comply with state and local internship requirements during a regular school day schedule. The internship experience is in English only. Students must demonstrate English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The student must refer to the Internship Handbook available from the Academic Director for specific requirements and procedures.

Program Objectives

  1. Develop knowledge and understanding of the educational theories in Guidance and Counseling.
  2. Practice of individual and group counseling techniques.
  3. Develop knowledge and understanding of the process of guidance and counseling.
  4. Develop knowledge of human development theories, and career development issues.
  5. Develop knowledge of ethical issues in the guidance and counseling process.
  6. Develop knowledge of specific strategies for the counseling of students.
  7. Develop knowledge of the legal aspects of the practice of Texas guidance and counseling in public schools.
  8. Develop knowledge of assessment techniques in counseling.
  9. Understanding of specific cultural idiosyncrasies of different populations.
  10. Develop knowledge and understanding of principles and procedures of educational research and its relevance to the counseling process.

Program Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  1. offer individual counseling and guidance to students or clients depending on the setting,
  2. offer group counseling and guidance to students depending on the setting,
  3. offer standardized tests to students,
  4. offer guidance in career selection to students,
  5. design counseling plan for individuals,
  6. conduct workshops with different student populations,
  7. develop school-community projects within a diverse population.

Education Program Requirements:

Students must comply with all State and school district requirements for their degree area. Additionally, the must show evidence of a passing score on the State applicable TExES exam to include bilingual education requirements, as applicable. This program requires a Bachelor of Arts in Education and experience in the public educational system. For information about requirements and certifications students must visit the site of Texas Education Administration, graduates must meet the certification requirements set forth by the Texas Education Administration and Department of Education.

EDUC 580-O Education Psychology: Human Growth and Development

EDUC 581-O Introduction to Guidance and Counseling Services

EDUC 582-O Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling

EDUC 583-O Instruments and Techniques for Diagnosis and Assessment

EDUC 584-O Individual Counseling Techniques

EDUC 585-O Group Counseling Techniques

EDUC 586-O Career Counseling

EDUC 645-O Counseling in Schools

EDUC 618-O Counseling for Children and Adolescents

EDUC 646-O Development and Management of Counseling Programs in Schools

EDUC 648-O Practicum in School Guidance and Counseling

EDUC 601-O Educational Research Methods in Guidance and Counseling

EDUC 630 Statistics for Pedagogy Research

EDUC 603-O Lecture Seminar

TESL 522-O Theory and Practice of Teaching ESOL Students in Schools*