School Counseling
All master’s degree programs (on-campus and online formats) are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs through March 31, 2030.
The doctoral program concentration in counseling and counselor education is accredited by the by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs through March 31, 2030.
Master's Degree Requirements
For master's degree concentrations, admission is limited in order to maintain faculty student interaction in didactic classes, for supervision in practica and for informal contact. Generally, class size averages between 20 and 25 in didactic, 4-5 in practica, and the advising ratio is approximately l to 10.
The Master’s of Education Degree (M.Ed.) is primarily a practitioner-oriented master’s and is offered in the on-campus program or DE online program. The Department of Counselor Education offers three programs of study leading to the Master of Education Degree:
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling,
- College Counseling and Student Development, and
- School Counseling.
Degrees earned will be distributed as: "Master of Education" without program of study specifications. Programs of study will only be printed on transcripts.
These programs of study require a minimum of 60 credits. Students who complete the program will be eligible to sit for the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Students in the School Counseling program are also eligible for licensure as school counselors in North Carolina (providing they pass the counseling PRAXIS examination).
Student Financial Support
At NC State, our goal is to assure that no student who can benefit from an NC State education be denied that opportunity due to finances. We are committed to allocating our financial aid resources to help the broadest range of students.
Graduate students may apply for Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, and for Federal Work-Study employment. Qualified graduate students pursuing masters or doctoral degrees may also apply for fellowships, assistantships and other awards offered through individual colleges and the Graduate School.
More Information
Admission Requirements
Admissions Requirements for Master’s Programs (on-campus and online programs):
- Completed online application, resume, personal statement/goals, and non-refundable application fee
- We are no longer requiring the GRE Scores/MAT Scores for our masters program
- 3 recommendations from people who know your academic record and potential for graduate study (letters should be uploaded online)
- Official transcripts of all post-secondary education
- Official** statement of English Proficiency (TOEFL) for international students
Applicants are expected to have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Applicant Information
School Counseling (MED)
- Delivery Method: On-Campus, Online, Hybrid
- Entrance Exam: None
- Interview Required: Yes
School Counseling (MS)
- Delivery Method: On-Campus
- Entrance Exam: None
- Interview Required: Yes
Application Deadlines
- Fall: December 15
- Summer 1 and 2: December 15
Faculty
Professors
- Marc Anderson Grimmett
- Sylvia Nassar
- Jose' A. Picart
- Siu-Man Ting
Assistant Professors
- Alex Becnel
- Rawn Boulden
- Rolanda Mitchell
- Brean'a Monet Parker
Teaching Professors
- Callie Womble Edwards
- Angela Smith
Teaching Assistant Professors
- Cristina Braga
- Nicole Childs
- Briana Gaines
- Terri Tilford
Courses
This course examines (1) the purpose of counseling, (2) the historical context for counseling, (3) the basic principles of major counseling theories, and (4) the practice of counseling in various professional settings.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in ED or PSY
Typically offered in Spring and Summer
Knowledge and skills needed to: (a) provide professional career counseling to individuals and (b) design, implement and evaluate career development programs for particular groups. Theories of career development and decision making; career guidance programs in educational, agency and industrial setting; career information sources and delivery systems; and assessment in career counseling.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in ED or PSY
Typically offered in Spring and Summer
Theory and practice of counseling culturally diverse clients. Client populations include African Americans, Asian-Americans, American Indians and Hispanics. Cultural assumptions, cultural values, counselor credibility, prejudice and racism in context of counseling.
Prerequisite: Six hrs. in ED or PSY, Corequisite: ECD 530
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Theory, philosophy, roles, professional ethics, and techniques of counseling. Eleven major counseling approaches including behavioral, psychoanalytic, client-centered, existential, family and post-modern approaches, and related counseling strategies are discussed. Students have opportunities to practice related strategies through role-plays.
Prerequisite: 6 credits in ED or PSY
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
An examination of the conceptual framework for the role and functions of school counselors, prevention and treatment strategies, program development and evaluation. Focus is on the school-college-community collaboration model, preparing counselors who can work effectively across different counseling settings by collaborating with other counselors and mental health professionals. Graduate standing required.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Theory and practice of group counseling. Theoretical positions include client-centered, behavioral and rational-emotive. Aspects of group process include group leadership, group membership, establishing and maintaining a group.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Exploration of gender as primary identity and social construct. Emphasis on gender dynamics in counseling, client empowerment and preventive approaches.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or Six hrs. in ED or PSY
Typically offered in Summer only
This course explores counseling as it relates to working with clients with substance abuse disorders. Ethical and legal issues, theoretical models, assessment and diagnosis, treatment planning, techniques and individual/family/group interventions with diverse populations will be discussed throughout class sessions. This course is distinctively geared towards students who are training to be counselors. Substance abuse issues that clients might present within counseling are addressed by way of assigned readings, class discussions, video segments, case studies, internet resources and assignments.
Prerequisite: 6 hours of Graduate Coursework
Typically offered in Fall only
This introductory graduate level course in research in counseling is intended to provide students with an overview of the fundamentals of research methods and program evaluations in the field. Students will be able to identify various research approaches and the strengths and limitations associated to them. The course is also designed to give students the basic skills to conduct research in counseling and develop program evaluation skills.
Prerequisite: 6 hours of ECD Graduate Courses
Typically offered in Fall and Summer
This elective course explores counseling as it relates to working with couples and families. Theoretical models, techniques and interventions will be discussed throughout class sessions. This course is distinctively geared towards students who are training to be counselors. Family and couples issues that clients might present within counseling are addressed by way of class discussions, assigned readings, video segments, case studies, role plays and Internet resources.
Prerequisite: 6 hours of ECD Graduate Courses
Typically offered in Spring and Summer
An overview of crisis intervention and theoretical models. Crisis situations are described across developmental age-span across a variety of service delivery settings. Students will develop conceptual competency for professional counselors to engage in crisis intervention.
Prerequisite: 6 hours of ECD Graduate Courses
Typically offered in Fall and Summer
Exploration of meaning and importance of assessment in the counseling process. The utilization of counseling assessments based on legal and ethical guidelines and cultural considerations. Identify, interpret, and explain assessments in clinical, college, and school counseling settings.
R: Graduate Students Only
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
In this course students work towards mastery of counseling skills, review relevant theories, and prepare for Practicum. Students will practice counseling skills in class and spend their out of class lab hours practicing skills in partnering schools. Students will do some limited video taping of counseling sessions and receive feedback on tapes from Counselor Education doctoral students taking their supervision theory class.
Prerequisite: ECD 530
Typically offered in Fall only
This course surveys theories, principles, and issues of psychological development throughout the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on understanding current developmental research and its application to the enhancement of development from birth to late adulthood. Implications for helping professionals working in multicultural contexts will be provided.
Prerequisite: Six Hours of Graduate Study
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Student participation in individual and group counseling and consultation experiences under supervision in a school, college or agency setting. Prerequisite: 1. Completion of all ECD, PSY, and STAT courses with exception of ECD 539 Group Counseling that may be taken concurrently. [Other classes that could be taken concurrently PSY 535,582, 584, 475, 476] 2. Consent of concentration coordin
Prerequisite: ECD 641
Typically offered in Spring only
A 600-hour internship for school counselors in training in a school setting under the supervision of qualified professionals. Students perform a variety of activities expected fo school counselors. Weekly meetings with faculty and on-site supervisors.
Prerequisite: ECD 642
Typically offered in Fall and Spring