Culturally Responsive Counseling
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling program at the UNC School of Education prepares culturally responsive school counselors who draw upon student and community strengths.
What do school counselors do?
School counselors work in elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as in district and supervisory roles. They support all students’ academic, career, and social-emotional development by designing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive programs. Through leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to expanding opportunity, school counselors help ensure access to educational experiences for every student.
How do school counselors make a lasting impact, not just within the school, but on how students see themselves as learners?
School counselors work at both the micro and systems levels. On the micro level, they provide individual counseling, group counseling, professional development, and consultation. At the same time, they work at a systems level by thinking about school climate, a sense of belonging, and how students connect with their peers and with adults in the building, including teachers.
They also examine school policies, practices, and culture to understand how those factors influence whether students feel supported, valued, and like they belong. By addressing both individual needs and systemic issues, school counselors help shape how students view themselves within classrooms, clubs, and the broader school community.
This reflects a shift in the profession toward being more climate-focused, recognizing that supporting students means not only addressing individual challenges, but also improving the environments in which students are learning and growing.
Connecting Coursework to Practice
This accelerated 14-month program — combining rigorous coursework with a year of school-based fieldwork — equips students with the knowledge and skills to address a wide range of student needs by designing and implementing comprehensive school counseling programs that foster student success. Supported by a close-knit, collaborative cohort and experienced faculty, students apply classroom learning from the start, bringing theory to life in real-world settings.
The 60-credit curriculum integrates a human-centered approach with practical application, helping students develop their strengths and advocate for equitable conditions that support youth development. Students learn to design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive, culturally responsive school counseling programs aligned with the American School Counselor Association’s National Model. They also gain the tools to remove barriers to learning, promote development, and champion the needs of all students, especially our most vulnerable ones.
Career Readiness
Through expert mentorship and immersive fieldwork, students graduate prepared to guide academic, career, and social-emotional growth for every student they serve. The program leads to licensure as a K–12 school counselor in North Carolina, with reciprocity options in several other states. The program’s coursework can also lead to eligibility for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor following supervised experience post-graduation.
Whether working in elementary, middle, or high schools, our graduates are prepared to lead, serve, and inspire in a profession that positively impacts lives.
Learn More About the Program
Accreditation
The School Counseling program has been continually accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), with alumni recognized as CACREP graduates since 1984. The program is also approved by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
Mission and Objectives
The UNC School Counseling Program prepares culturally responsive counselors who leverage strengths-based, human-centered practices to design and deliver comprehensive school counseling programs that remove barriers, expand opportunity, and support the academic, career, and social-emotional development of all students in diverse K–12 settings.
Corresponding to the eight core CACREP areas and the school counseling specialty area, upon successful completion of the UNC School Counseling program, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate a strong professional identity grounded in the history, philosophy, ethics, and role of the school counseling profession.
- Provide culturally responsive, strengths-based counseling by applying cultural humility, empathy, and developmentally appropriate counseling skills with diverse K–12 students.
- Apply knowledge of human development and systems to understand how individual, family, school, community, and societal factors influence student well-being and success.
- Use evidence-based counseling, assessment, and group facilitation skills to support students’ academic, career, and social-emotional development.
- Use data to inform decision making, evaluate interventions, and improve comprehensive school counseling programs.
- Collaborate and advocate to remove barriers, promote educational opportunity, and support equitable outcomes for all students.