Master's Program

School Counseling:

In accordance with current professional standards set forth by Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), C&D offers a graduate preparation program for school counselors expecting to work in K-12 schools. Most students take four semesters of full-time study, possibly including summer terms, to complete the master's degree.

The scientist-practitioner model of counselor preparation is incorporated in the programs. The core of counselor practice lies in facilitating personal and career development. Professional counselors provide developmental, preventive and mental health services through individual counseling, group counseling, consultation and other psychoeducational processes. Further, the counseling practitioner helps people cope with crisis situations. As a scientist, the counselor thinks scientifically, evaluates counseling interventions, appraises and conducts research, provides accountability measures, and contributes to the professional literature of the field. Professional and personal development are emphasized in the interactional experiences of both formal and informal learnings. These are the general objectives of the program.

Plan of Study

School Counseling Plan of Study (PDF)

The School Counseling program has credit-hour and specific course requirements. Courses taken during the first year are primarily theoretical and foundational in nature; those in the second year emphasize supervised experience. Students who have completed courses similar to required courses in the School Counseling program at a CACREP-accredited may not need to duplicate them if these have been taken within the past five years and a satisfactory grade (a "B" or better) was obtained. A statistics class, taken elsewhere, at a 300 level or above, if course content is deemed sufficient by the Purdue advisor, can be brought in to fulfill the statistics requirement. An elective can then be substituted. These course-plan alternations need to be discussed with the program advisor. Please note that only 12 hours of credit taken in a non-degree-seeking status (prior to admission) can be applied. Also, please note that courses taken pass/fail are not acceptable.

As an aid to understand key words used in course titles, these definitions are offered here:

• Laboratory: A pre-practicum exposure to skills and functions of the counselor
• Practicum: A supervised counseling experience at a local school
• Internship: A participatory experience in the work performed in a school setting under the supervision of a qualified school counselor on site and a campus supervisor

Thesis Option

The C&D master's programs are designed as non-thesis programs. However, students interested in research and/or further graduate study may elect to complete a thesis. This typically adds 6 credits to the student's program.

To apply, or for more information: Graduate School Admissions Information Electronic Application for Admission For detailed information about the School Counseling program, contact the program coordinator, Dr. Jean S. Peterson, (765) 494-9748; email: jeanp@purdue.edu or Dr. Carrie A. Wachter, (765) 494-9748, email: cwachter@purdue.edu.