Education Specialist Degree in School Counseling

All students are required to meet the general university admission requirements.

Applicants seeking admission to the Education Specialist program must submit the information noted below. A master's degree is not required for admission. Before starting the online application, gather all information and documents for all of the admission requirements so that they can be uploaded into the application system. All materials must be received before review will begin.

• Application Deadlines
  • U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents: Applications are accepted throughout the year.
    • July 1 for fall enrollment
    • November 1 for spring enrollment
  • International Students: The online application, application fee, test scores, transcripts, financial documents and all required application materials need to be submitted by the following dates:
    
    • August 1 for spring (January) enrollment
  • Graduate School Application Fee
    • Domestic Students: A $65 application fee is required for all domestic students; the application will not be processed without this fee. The fee can be paid by credit card when completing the online application.
    • International Students: A $75 application fee is required; the application will not be processed without this fee. The fee can be paid by credit card when completing the online application.
  • Official Transcripts
    • You must upload into the online application system a scanned copy (PDF preferred) of the official transcript(s) from each college or university where you received your bachelor's degree(s) and completed any post baccalaureate course work or degrees. Transcripts become part of your records at Kansas State University and cannot be returned. Please be aware that printouts from university student portals are not considered a copy of your official transcript.
    • If you are admitted, you will be required to submit an official transcript for GPA and degree conferral verification from the institution(s) where you received your degree(s) and completed any post-baccalaureate credits.
    • Students whose transcripts are not in English must furnish a translation by an appropriate authority. Failure to list any colleges or universities attended may result in dismissal from the university.
    • For consideration for regular admission, applicants must have a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) in their junior and senior years of the bachelor's program. Those with GPAs between 2.65 and 2.99 may be considered for probationary admission if it can be demonstrated that there is potential for success in the graduate program. This potential is demonstrated, in part, on the basis of results from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
  • Statement of Goals and Professional Experience
    • You must upload into the online application system a 1-2 page, double-spaced paper that includes the following information:
      • Career and professional goals and aspirations, and how being accepted to the program will benefit the goals and aspirations;
      • The reason for interest in seeking the education specailist degree in school counseling;
      • Evidence of motivation, leadership, and strong work ethic; and
      • Professional experiences including advocacy involvement and multicultural proficiencies that support your application.
    • The paper is to be well written and thoughtfully presented. For resources to help writing the paper, see the Purdue Writing Lab (OWL).
  • Recommendations
    • Three recommendations are needed from college or university educators and/or colleagues or supervisors who are qualified to address your professional skills including analytical and critical thinking processes and written and oral communication skills. Recommendations should also address the ability to work with others, form effective culturally relevant relationships, and present a professional demeanor. Enter the names and email addresses of those submitting recommendations into the appropriate area in the CollegeNet online application.
  • A Professional Resume or Vitae
    • Upload into the online application system a professional resume/vitae that includes previous academic degrees, past and present employment, professional experiences including leadership, multicultural, advocacy, and other pertinent information.
  • An Interview
    • An interview with faculty members in this program may be requested before an admission decision is made.
  • English Language Proficiency
    • To demonstrate competence in the English language, an official report of scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System – academic exam (IELTS) or Pearson Test of English (PTE) must be sent to Kansas State University for all applicants whose primary language is not English. Enter your scores in the online application and upload the report of your scores.
    • Learn more about English proficiency requirements

International applicants must meet the same academic standards for admission as those required of domestic students. When applying for admission, international applicants must provide an Affidavit of Financial Support and documentation of English language proficiency. Detailed information about these issues is provided at the Graduate School's International Students web page.

* Course is synchronous

Core Requirements (51 credit hours)

• EDCEP 810 Mental Health in Schools (3 credits)
• EDCEP 815 Using Tests in Counseling (3 credits)
• EDCEP 816 Research Methods in Education (3 credits)
• EDCEP 822 Counseling Adolescents (3 credits)
• EDCEP 823 Counseling Theory (3 credits)*
• EDCEP 824 Development Across the Lifespan for School Counselors (3 credits)
• EDCEP 832 Counseling Techniques (3 credits)*
• EDCEP 852 Career Development for School Counselors (3 credits)
• EDCEP 855 Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice (3 credits)*
• EDCEP 856 Counseling Children (3 credits)
• EDCEP 857 Counseling Program Management (3 credits)
• EDCEP 858 Group Processes (3 credits)*
• EDCEP 860 Adult Counseling (3 credits) *
• EDCEP 867 Counseling Mental Health Disorders (3 credits)
• EDCEP 871 Leadership, Advocacy and Consultation for Counselors (3 credits)
• EDCEP 886 Seminar in Counseling and Educational Psychology (1-18 credits)
• EDCEP 951 Multicultural Counseling (3 credits)

Clinical Requirements (9 credit hours)

• EDCEP 877 Practicum in Counseling (1-3 credits)*
• EDCEP 887 Counseling Internship (1-3 credits)*
• EDCEP 887 Counseling Internship (1-3 credits)*

Counseling Practicum and Counseling Internship will have assigned placements.

The practicum will consist of 100 clock hours in approved school settings arranged by the program coordinator and internship faculty member.

The internship will consist of 600 clock hours over two semesters in approved school settings (elementary and secondary) arranged by the program coordinator and internship faculty member. A minimum of 240 hours over the two semesters is required for direct service counseling with clients with weekly supervision held by a licensed school counselor and faculty professor. Students attend class for group supervision weekly with an additional one hour for individual supervision. Internship placements are approved only following successful completion of Counseling Practicum and submission and approval of the Internship application.

Do I have to have a teaching background to be eligible for this program?

A teaching license is not required to becoming a professional school counselor in Kansas. One option for licensure is for those who have a teaching license; the second option, parallel pathway, is for individuals who do not have a professional teaching license. Parallel pathway criteria are integrated into existing coursework and do NOT require extra credit hours or tuition.

Do I need a masters degree to be admitted into the Ed.S program?

No, admission to this program requires only a baccalaureate degree.

How long will it take to complete the 60-hour program?

The course schedules accommodate both part-time and full-time students. The program is designed to be 2 ½ to 3 ½ years, or 8-10 semesters for completion, depending on full or part-time status. Some summer courses will be required.

Can I still work while attending the program? Will classes be held during the day?

Classes are designed for those working during the day. The Ed.S. school counseling program will offer both synchronous and asynchronous courses, with 60% of the program being asynchronous. Synchronous courses and class sessions will be offered at or after 4:30 p.m. Central Time on either a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday.

Can I be hired as a school counselor before I complete the Ed.S. program?

In Kansas, many students are employed as professional school counselors PRIOR to program completion. Currently, most school counseling graduate students in internship courses are already hired under a provisional school counseling license.