Master's of Education: Counseling
Mission & Overview
The primary mission of the Masters of Education in Counseling program at Wichita State University is to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become highly competent and ethical professional counselors who work effectively with diverse populations. The graduates of the program will be prepared to work within their area of specialization to improve the wellness of themselves and the individuals in the schools, colleges, and communities they serve.
Wichita State University's M.Ed. in Counseling is designed to prepare students to meet the requirements of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) for Licensed School Counselors or Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) for Licensed Professional Counselors. The program coursework of the School Counseling track prepares a student for the PRAXIS licensure exams required by the State of Kansas for application for school counseling licensure. Completion of the PRAXIS licensure exams with a passing score is required by the State of Kansas for a candidate applying for school counseling licensure. The program coursework of the Clinical Mental Health and Sports Counseling tracks prepares a student for the National Counselor Exam (NCE) required by the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Department for Licensed Professional Counselors. Completion of the NCE with a passing score is required by the BSRB.
Students who wish to pursue counseling licensure in a state other than Kansas are encouraged to visit the following websites https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements (Clinical mental health counseling); https://www.schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling/State-Requirements-Programs/State-Licensure-Requirements (school counseling); and to contact the licensure board in the state in which they intend to practice to determine specific state requirements that may vary from Kansas requirements.
Course work in the program provides a strong background in human growth and development, as well as communication skills; counselors will learn to assist clients in developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral strengths. Courses within the Counseling program are delivered in one of three instructional types: Traditional Classroom Instruction, Online, and Hybrid (a combination of traditional and online instruction), and are held in the evening, making students pursuing their education while working more manageable. Completion of the Counseling program requires in-person attendance for multiple courses; the program is not available for completion by taking only online courses. At minimum, 50% of courses in the program will require attending courses on campus.
Program Objectives
Students will develop knowledge and the ability to apply the knowledge in their work with clients in the areas of:
- Professional Orientation and Ethical Practice
- Social and Cultural Diversity
- Human Growth and Development
- Career Development
- Counseling and Helping Relationships
- Group Counseling and Group Work
- Assessment and Testing
- Research and Program Evaluation
- The principles of culturally competent and ethical practice as counseling practitioners.
- A process of personal growth and self-exploration in order to more effectively serve their clients' needs and examine potential areas of bias that may interfere with the working alliance.
- A strong personal professional identity as counselors who participate in professional counseling organizations and advocate for the counseling profession.
- Students will demonstrate the skills necessary to practice basic counseling tasks.
- Students will demonstrate advocacy strategies for clients which include legal, ethical, and cultural considerations.
- Students will demonstrate skills in multicultural competency and social justice advocacy.
Degree Programs
Wichita State University's M.Ed. in Counseling includes two degree tracks.
Meets the licensure requirements of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE)
for Professional School Counselors for licensed teachers.
Parallel Pathways – school counselor licensure for individuals without teaching licensure.
Learn more about the school counseling track.
Wichita State University's M.Ed. in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling track, is designed to prepare students for licensure by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (Licensed Professional Counselor - LPC) and certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).
All students in the clinical mental health track receive the same core counseling training and have the option to pursue an emphasis in clinical mental health counseling, sports counseling, or addiction counseling through the use of elective credit. All three emphases require a clinical practicum and internship experience. Learn more about the clinical mental health counseling track.
Designed for students who want to pursue careers working in clincal settings such as mental health agencies, hospitals, and private practice. Meets the educational requirements for the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for Licensed Professional Counselors.
Designed for students who want to pursue careers working with student athletes in higher education or other settings. Meets educational requirements for the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for Licensed Professional Counselors.
Designed for students who want to find a career in clinics, hospitals, outpatient and residential health and substance abuse centers, and private practice. This degree will focus on the development of your ability to use: addiction counseling, mental health counseling and career counseling in the treatment of addiction.
Certificate Programs
The counseling program offers a number of postmaster's certificate programs. In addition, any student enrolled in a mental health related degree program may take the certificate courses. Current students should work with their advisor to incorporate certificate coursework into their current program of study.
The Play Therapy certificate program is designed to meet training standards for Registered Play Therapist and the School-Based Play Therapist credentials established by the Association of Play Therapy. Practice as a play therapist requires master's level mental health licensure.
In addition to Play Therapy, the department offers post-master's certificates (School Counselor to Clinical Mental Health Counselor & Clinical Mental Health Counselor to School Counselor) that enable students to obtain the courses needed to meet the academic requirements of the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and for those already holding the LPC license to meet the credit hours required for licensure by the Kansas State Department of Education licensing requirements for school counselors in Kansas. Licensure related to these certificates will require students to pass their respective licensure exams.
By the Numbers
Take a look at the number of graduates, pass rates on credentialing examinations, completion rates, and job placement rates for each of our counseling programs.
Number of Graduates for the Past Academic Year:
19
Pass Rate on Credentialing Examinations
100%
Completion Rate:
95%
Job Placement Rate:
100%
Number of Graduates for the Past Academic Year:
17
Pass Rate on Credentialing Examinations
100%
Completion Rate:
95%
Job Placement Rate:
95%
Number of Graduates for the Past Academic Year:
TBD
Pass Rate on Credentialing Examinations
TBD
Completion Rate:
TBD
Job Placement Rate:
TBD
Number of Graduates for the Past Academic Year:
TBD
Pass Rate on Credentialing Examinations
TBD
Completion Rate:
TBD
Job Placement Rate:
TBD
CACREP Vital Statistics Report
Admission Requirements
When applying for admission to the Master's in Counseling program, you must submit to the Graduate School:
- A completed graduate school application
- Official transcripts with 3.00 GPA for the last 60 hours
As part of the online application, the Department will request:
In 500 words or less, describe your professional goals and why you have chosen to pursue a counseling degree at Wichita State University. Please describe how you form effective relationships and your specific views about issues related to diversity and inclusion. This statement will help the review team better understand and evaluate your application. Please see some example questions below:
- What are your career goals?
- How do you plan to be successful in graduate school?
- How do you form and maintain relationships with others?
What does the word “diversity” mean to you, and do you believe that diversity is important?
There is no required format for the resume.
Upon receipt of this information, the departmental screening committee will make recommendations concerning admission decisions for the master's program in counseling.
Application Process
You can view the progress of your admission status by navigating to Step 5 here. Click here for information on how you will be notified of your admission decision.
Accreditation
The Counseling program is accredited by Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), and Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB).
Program Evaluation and Annual Report
The Graduate Counseling Program faculty use multiple measures to assess program effectiveness and outcomes in a continuing effort to monitor program efficacy in meeting not only the educational and training needs of our students but through their development, the needs of our diverse society as a whole. Please see our program annual report by clicking on the link below.
Requirements upon Admission:
Upon admission and prior to their first semester, all students admitted to the Counseling program must clear a criminal background check. Click here for instructions.
Students are required to have professional counseling liability insurance prior to taking practicum/internship courses in their respective track. This may be obtained as part of student membership to the American Counseling Association or the American School Counseling Association. Students must complete the practicum/internship candidacy application the semester before they plan to enroll in the respective course. All practicum/internship students must be approved for candidacy prior to enrolling in the practicum/internship course.
Students intending to graduate must submit an application for degree (AFD), and pay the application fee, by the 20th day of classes for any fall or spring semester, or no later than the 10th day of classes (of the regular 8 week session) for the summer semester. A Plan of Study must be on file prior to submitting the AFD. Instructions can be found here.
All counseling program students must take and pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE). It is recommended that students prepare to take the exam the semester before their final semester.