Current Program of Study

The program of studies, i.e., the courses and curriculum for the M.Ed. in School Counseling, is made up of 3 parts:

  • 30 hours of content courses;
  • 24 hours of clinical courses;
  • 6 hours of graduate-level electives approved by your advisor.

You will move through the program as a cohort, so all classes must be taken in the sequence listed below. Given the accelerated nature of the program, students who do not satisfactorily complete all classes in a semester will not be eligible to progress to the next semester, nor be able to take classes out of sequence. Classes begin in late May and end in late July of the following calendar year.

Course Schedule

First Summer – Session I

  • EDUC 702: Introduction to Strengths-Based School Counseling, 3 hours
  • EDUC 790: Ethical and Legal Issues in School Counseling, 3 hours

First Summer – Session II

  • EDUC 703: Theories and Techniques of Counseling, 3 hours
  • EDUC 827: Human Development, 3 hours

Fall Mini-Term I

  • EDUC 766: Practicum in School Counseling, 6 hours

Fall Mini-Term II

  • EDUC 705: Internship in School Counseling & Consultation (F), 3 hours

Fall

  • EDUC 707: Promoting Cultural Competence & Social Justice in School Counseling, 3 hours
  • EDUC 713: Tests and Measurement, 3 hours
  • EDUC 714: Guidance and Group Counseling, 3 hours

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About the Practicum and Internship Courses

Fall Practicum runs from August through October (10 weeks). 

Fall Internship runs (End of October) November through December. Internship continues in spring and summer. 

Students must spend a minimum of 100 (40 direct service) clock hours in practicum and 600 (240 direct service) in internship in their field experiences during the August to June K-12 public school year. The schedule for accumulating the required 700 hours is typically completed in three full-time days per week at the school site and/or arranged with both the field supervisor and the EDUC 766 and 705 instructors. 

Spring

  • EDUC 704: Promoting Career Development, 3 hours
  • EDUC 705: Internship in School Counseling & Consultation (S), 9 hours
  • EDUC 709: Seminar in Applied Investigations, 3 hours
  • EDUC 762: Diagnosis of Psychological Disorders & Treatment Planning, 3 hours

Second Summer – Session I

  • EDUC 705: Internship in School Counseling & Consultation (Su), 3 hours
  • EDUC 790: Trauma and Mindfulness in School-Based Counseling, 3 hours

Second Summer – Session II

Students typically take their elective course during Summer Session II, but other options are possible.  

  • Elective Course, 3 hours 
  • Elective Course, 3 hours 

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Electives

There are several ways to get the six (6) graduate credit hours required for the Master of Education in School Counseling. Students may choose from a wide range of graduate-level courses and are encouraged to select those that enhance the student’s ability and readiness for service as a professional school counselor. Students should work with their advisor to find appropriate electives.  

Courses may be taken elsewhere and transferred in. You may consider online courses in the UNC system or an independent study with a faculty member. All courses must be considered at the graduate level at UNC-Chapel Hill, and you must get approval from your advisor in writing. The majority of courses numbered 400 to 600 are combined graduate/undergraduate courses and are counted as graduate-level credit hours. If you are unsure about a course, check with the  Office of Student Affairs to verify that it is at the graduate level. Below are some courses open to School Counseling students that are often used to fulfill these requirements.

  • EDUC 689: Foundations of Special Education, 3 hours
  • SOWO 700: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD): Abuse and Dependence, 3 hours
  • EDUC 808: Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 3 hours

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