Program Requirements

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be prepared to:

  • Demonstrate the knowledge and skills associated with the foundations of school counseling, including the history, philosophy, and current trends in school counseling and educational systems
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the coordination of counseling program components as they relate to the total school community
  • Use strategies that help promote, develop, and enhance effective teamwork within the school and the larger community
  • Use theories, models, and processes of consultation and change with teachers, administrators, other school personnel. Parents, community groups, agencies; and students
  • Work individually, in groups, and in the classroom with students in developmentally appropriate ways to facilitate growth in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social growth, and career development for all students
  • Demonstrate understanding of the concepts of the ASCA National Model and the ASCA National Standards for School counseling programs by being able to develop and administer a comprehensive developmental school counseling program
  • Understand the concepts inherent in various testing programs, use test results to make data based decisions concerning student programs of study, and be able to interpret test results to students, parents and community members
  • Assess the effectiveness of the school counseling program using data obtained by examining student outcomes
  • Conduct and facilitate local research and evaluation efforts

Field Experience

Students are required to complete nine credit hours of field experience which includes a one semester School Counseling Practicum (COUN 639) of 100 clinical hours and two semesters or six credit hours of internship (COUN 640) which totals 600 hours of work in PreK through 12 schools.

Prior to entry into the Practicum (COUN 639) and Internships field experience (COUN 640) phase of their program, students fulfill the following requirements:

  • Complete 19 semester hours as follows:
    • COUN 605 Group Techniques and Procedures (4 hours)
    • COUN 606 Counseling Skills and Techniques (3 hours)
    • COUN 612 Counseling Theory (3 hours)
    • COUN 618 Ethics and Professional Issues (3 hours)
    • COUN 631 Introduction to School Counseling (3 hours)
    • COUN 632 Leadership and Administration in School Counseling (3 hours)

For more information and for questions regarding field placement, please contact Carrie Elder, Director of Counseling Clinical Director, at elder_cl@mercer.edu.

Program plan

Area I: Professional Studies (28 semester hours)
Required Courses
COUN 613 Social and Cultural Issues in Counseling
COUN 614 Human Growth and Development
COUN 618 Ethics and Professional Issues
COUN 621 Research and Program Evaluation
COUN 631 Introduction to School Counseling
COUN 630 Seminar in School Counseling
COUN 639 Practicum in School Counseling
COUN 640 School Internship
COUN 641 Theories of Family Counseling

Area II: Content and Related Studies (26 semester hours)
COUN 601 Career and Vocational Guidance
COUN 605 Group Counseling and Group Work
COUN 606 Counseling Skills and Techniques
COUN 608 Addictions Counseling
COUN 612 Counseling Theory
COUN 617 Assessment and Testing
COUN 632 Leadership & Administration in School Counseling
COUN 643 Counseling for College Access and Career Readiness
COUN 644 Orientation to Professional School Counseling

Electives (6 hours)
Choose 2 of the following courses:
COUN 604 Psychopathology (required for licensure as a professional counselor in the State of Georgia)
COUN 611 Special Topics in Counseling
COUN 623 Play Therapy
COUN 642 Brief Therapy
COUN 645 Crisis, Trauma and Grief Counseling

Total Degree Requirements: 60 hours

Learn more about our School Counseling program

Ready to take the next step?

Schedule your personalized admissions counseling appointment, or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 678.547.6417 or copa.admissions@mercer.edu for more information.