Degree – Master of Science in Secondary Education, MSEd
Concentration: School Counseling

Description of Program

The Master of Science in Secondary Education (MSEd) degree program offers endorsements in 14 areas. Graduates are prepared for advanced preparation to serve as teachers or practitioners in various educational capacities. The endorsement in School Counseling is designed to prepare students as counselors in the educational arena and the mental health field.

Learning Outcomes

  • Provide potential counselors with skills that will give them self-direction in making health life choices
  • Develop competencies in professional identity, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, career development, helping relationships, group work, assessment, and research and program evaluation (CACREP)
  • Synthesize and analyze information to think critically, read broadly, and pursue education and growth
  • Apply knowledge in the field and intellectual curiosity, and sustainable self-efficacy

Admission Requirements:

Students applying for entrance to the Master of Science in Secondary Education in School Counseling are required to submit an application for admission, Apply Online (www.alcorn.edu/academics/graduate-studies).

  • two letters of recommendation
  • official transcript from an accredited school (if a student has attended more than one school, transcripts must be submitted from all schools attended). At least one transcript must document the student has a bachelor’s degree.
  • Immunization record

Decisions are made only after receipt of all credentials by the Department of Education and Psychology admission committee. The department uses an admission formula to accept students. The entire application packet, including all supporting materials, must be submitted to the Graduate School.

Standardized Test:

The Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE) is required for admission to the Master of Science in Secondary Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. WAIVED

Degree Requirements:

The curriculum for the Master of Science in Secondary Education in School Counseling requires 51 credit hours of coursework and passing required exit exams for degree completion. Students complete 9 hours of required core credits and 42 hours of required course credits.

Graduation expectations require the following:

  • A minimum of 45 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed in residence at Alcorn State University
  • Earn no more than two Cs in coursework
  • Successfully pass the Area Exit Exam according to content area
  • Official transcripts on file for all transfer credits accepted by the University

Academic advisors are allowed to accept up to six semester credit hours earned at an accredited university with a grade of “B” or higher for graduate coursework completed. Substitutions of coursework are allowed with the approval of an advisor and department administrators up to nine hours if the substitution(s) meet curriculum requirements.

See Transfer of Credits Policy for additional information.
See the Substitution of Courses Policy for additional information.

Academic Track: Exit Exams

Students pursuing a Master of Science in Secondary Education in School Counseling must pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination to meet the Area Examination requirement to exit.

Master Degree Audit:

Before candidacy for graduation can be confirmed, each student progression to degree completion will be evaluated to determine if student has met all academic requirements for course work and other aspects of the student’s course of study and Graduate School requirements. When these requirements are met, the student is cleared for graduation.

Time to Degree Completion

Alcorn’s time to degree completion policy allows 6 years to complete the school counseling program. Degree completion depends on the pace a student completes the curriculum. If the time exceeds six years, the student must petition the Graduate School to consider an appeal for more time to degree completion.

See the Student Academic Appeals Policy for Expiration of Timeline for additional requirements

Degree Plan and Course Sequence

Core Education Courses (9 Hours)
ED 514 Methods of Educational Research
ED 533 Curriculum Development
PH 504 Educational and Psychological Statistics

Required Courses (42 Hours)
CM 502 Behavior Modification
CM 508 Introduction to Counseling
CM 510 Counseling and Psychological Theory
CM 511 Counseling Techniques
CM 512 Career Development
CM 513 Group Procedures
CM 515 Organization, Administration & Consultation Counseling
CM 516 Psychological Assessment Techniques in Counseling
CM 519A Counseling Practicum (Spring Only)
CM 520A School Counseling Internship I (Fall Only)
CM 521A School Counseling Internship II (Spring Only)
CM 524 Legal, Ethical & Professional Issues in Counseling
CM 525 Human Growth and Development
CM 540 Multicultural Counseling & Psychology

Optional Electives
CM 530 Psycho-Diagnostics in Counseling
CM 532 Marriage an Family Counseling
CM 533 Human Sexuality Issues in Counseling
CM 534 Addiction-Focused Counseling
CM 535 Advanced Abnormal Psychology
CM 536 Grief & Loss Issues in Counseling
CM 537 Spirituality in Counseling
CM 538 Special Issues in Counseling & Psychology
PH 513 Advanced Educational Psychology

For More Information Contact:
Dr. Lynn Etheridge ▪ 601.877.6212▪ [email protected] (Department of Education and Psychology)