Master of Arts in School Counseling

About

The School of Counseling at the University of Akron offers a Master's Degree in School Counseling. This course of study is based upon CACREP and the Ohio Department of Education's standards. It is designed to prepare students to become effective leaders in the process of transforming school counseling under the ASCA's National Model for School Counseling Programs. The academic foundation is built upon the eight core areas of the 2009 CACREP Standards: professional identity, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, career development, helping relationships, group work, assessment, and research/program evaluation. Additional coursework specific to school counseling includes foundations and contextual dimensions of school counseling, and consultation. A unique focus of the program is training future school counselors in advocacy skills to assist students and families in overcoming barriers or impediments to success in learning and development. The School Counseling program’s mission is to prepare ethically and culturally informed school counselors who understand the uniqueness and meet the diverse needs of P-12 students in educational settings.School Counseling students will:Develop clear school counselor identity. Acquire the skills to promote equity and inclusion in school settings. Demonstrate the ability to successfully handle legal and ethical issues. Gain the knowledge to successfully complete the state school counselor exam. Additional coursework specific to school counseling includes foundations and contextual dimensions of school counseling and consultation. A unique focus of the program is training future school counselors in social justice advocacy. Program faculty prepare students with strategies to close academic achievement gap and to assist K-12 students. 

Career Path 

Graduate career path includes College & Career Counselor (Higher Education Guidance), Student Support Specialist (Behavioral & Emotional Support), School Counselor (Elementary, Middle, High School), Crisis Intervention Specialist (School-Based Emergency Response), Special Education Counselor (Individualized Education Plans, Inclusion Support), Academic Advisor (Secondary & Postsecondary Institutions), Mental Health Liaison (Connecting Students to Community Services),College Admissions Advisor (Application & Transition Support), Bullying Prevention & Intervention Coordinator,Youth Development Specialist (After-School & Community Programs), School-Based Family Counselor, Educational Policy Advocate (Student Mental Health & Counseling Programs).