Location:

Atlanta, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

School Counseling

Program Overview

Program Description:

Today’s school counselors are vital members of the educational team whose role is essential to facilitate growth in academic achievement, personal and social growth, and career development for all students. School counselors will be trained as leaders and advocates in their profession. During the first year of study, intensive coursework has been designed to immerse the School Counseling student in the history, foundations, theory, and skills necessary for a Professional School Counselor. During this time, the student will prepare academically for the role of the School Counselor and will supplement academic training with field observations and participation in local schools. The student will proceed with clinical instruction in the second year within the culture of the school working with diverse populations under constant supervision. Having completed this program of study, the School Counseling student will become a reflective practitioner, advocating the needs and rights of his/her students, while collaborating and establishing partnerships with parents, schools, other professionals, and communities. “The School Counseling program has an Advisory Board of professional School Counselors, school administrators, representative graduate students, and Mercer University faculty (includes faculty representatives from the Tift College of Education). This Advisory Board provides guidance and specialized knowledge which complements the knowledge and skills of the School Counseling faculty in order to more effectively direct the program.” Degree Requirements The Master of Science in School Counseling degree requires a minimum of 56 semester hours of graduate credit. No credit will be given for courses taken more than six years prior to the date on which the degree is to be conferred. There are certain conditions that must be met to transfer regular graduate credit to Mercer's graduate program. The institution must be accredited and the student must be admitted to the institution's regular graduate program. Graduate work taken at other institutions must be part of a planned program leading to a degree equivalent to the Master of Science degree at Mercer. The work must be appropriate for the student's planned program. The maximum amount of transferred credit is 12 semester hours. Only courses in which the student earned a "B" or better will be considered for transfer credit. Courses taken for another degree previously earned may not be applied to the M.S. In addition to the 56 required hours of graduate credit, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC) requires that every candidate for the S-5 certification in school counseling has evidence of successful completion of at least three semester hours of credit for a course in the education of exceptional learners (special education). Examinations In order to be recommended for the S-5 certification in school counseling, the GAPSC requires a passing score on the GACE II, tests 102 and 103. The graduate faculty for the Master of Science in School Counseling also strongly urge candidates to take and pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) which is given at Mercer University in April and October.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

NCATE SACS

Financial Aid:

Yes

Requirements:

Please see web page.

International Requirements:

Please see web page.