Master of Education in School Counseling

The Doane University Master of Education in School Counseling is designed for certified teachers and students with a Bachelor’s degree. The program includes 48 hours of coursework in school counseling and, for those without a teaching certificate, an additional 12 hours of education coursework. As part of this program, students will participate in field experience within a school setting-100 hours in Practicum and 450 hours in Internship as designated by the Nebraska Department of Education for licensure. The mission of the program is to prepare graduates to become highly competent school counselors through the ability to reflect, work collaboratively, and respond to student needs.

Vision

Graduates of Doane University’s Master of Education in School Counseling program are transformative and ethical leaders who advocate for equity, inclusion, and access in all educational settings. Our distinguished graduates are compassionate bridge builders, culturally sustaining counselors, and collaborative professionals who inspire systemic change and foster the academic, social-emotional, and career development of every student to thrive in a diverse, global community.

Mission

The mission of the Master of Education in School Counseling program at Doane University is to prepare and develop future school counselors anchored in the liberal arts and aligned with the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Model and Professional Standards and Competencies. Through rigorous academic preparation, reflective practices, field-based experiences, and authentic assessment, the program ensures graduates are confident, competent, and committed-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to design, implement, and evaluate equitable, comprehensive, and data-informed school counseling programs. With a proactive and solution-focused mindset, students apply ethical, research-based, and developmentally appropriate strategies across academic, career, and social-emotional domains to support the needs of diverse learners and communities.

Program Outcomes

ASCA Standards for School Counselor Preparation Program (Adopted by CAEP, 2019)

1. Learner and Learning

Foundational Knowledge. Candidates demonstrate knowledge of the history of school counseling and the structure and organization of the American educational system. Candidates understand the development trajectories of diverse learners in the school environment.

2. Content

Core Theories and Concepts. Candidates demonstrate knowledge of established and emerging counseling and education theories, methods, and evidence-based techniques while utilizing relationship-building skills that are foundational to successful outcomes for students.

Instructional and School Counseling Interventions. Candidates use multiple data points to assess individual students’ needs and identify a range of school counseling techniques to meet those needs. Candidates utilize digital literacy and technology tools to support the school counseling program and to track the academic, college/career, and social/emotional development of all students.

3. Instructional Practice

Student Learning Outcomes. Candidates create and implement data-informed school counseling programs that positively impact student outcomes and promote educational equity and access. Candidates use pedagogical skills, collaborative strategies, and referral systems to support student learning.

Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating Comprehensive School Counseling Programs.
Candidates use school data and school counseling program assessments to evaluate areas of strength and needed improvement for program activities and interventions.

4. Professional Responsibility

Professional Practice. Candidates demonstrate the appropriate scope of school counseling practice in varied education settings, understand their role as a leader, collaborator, advocate, and agent for systemic change, and engage in opportunities to support their professional growth and identity development.

Ethical Practice. Candidates demonstrate ethical and culturally responsive behavior, maintain the highest standard of professionalism and legal obligation, and use consultation and ongoing critical reflection to prevent ethical lapses.

Categories of Graduate Students

Two broad categories of graduate students are recognized by the Master of Education in School Counseling program: degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking. Degree-seeking students are those who are pursuing the Master of Education in School Counseling degree. All courses are required to receive the graduate degree and be eligible for certification through the Nebraska Department of Education.

Non-degree-seeking students are those who have already completed a bachelor’s degree and are interested in school counseling, to renew their initial teaching certificate, or for current school counselors seeking professional development.

Admission Requirements

All students applying for admission to the School Counseling Program will submit the following items:

Complete application for admission
Submit a copy of your current teaching certificate, if applicable.
Request official transcripts from the institutions granting the undergraduate degree and any graduate work that is to be considered for transfer credit. Please have transcripts sent from the institution granting a degree or credit to etranscripts@doane.edu. If you are a Doane University graduate, it is not necessary to request official transcripts. We will access them on your behalf. Undergraduate GPA must show 3.0 or above.
Provide three letters of recommendation, including one from a supervisor or administrator
Submit a typed essay focusing on the following:
a. Your reason for selecting Doane’s School Counseling program. Your philosophy of education, leadership, and advocacy. How Doane’s School Counseling program will help you reach your professional goals.

Our enrollment team will contact you when all materials are submitted, and a meeting will be scheduled with the Program Director

A background check is also required for students without a teaching certificate as part of the registration process.

Full Graduate Standing

Full Graduate Standing will be granted to students upon the successful completion of 9 hours of Graduate Education credit with a 3.00 or higher cumulative grade point average. A student receiving any grade below a “B-” for any graduate course will have his/her file reviewed, even though the student’s cumulative GPA may be 3.00 or higher.

The student must maintain the highest ethical conduct in coursework and in professional positions held as defined in the Standards for Professional Practices Criteria in 92 NAC 27. A student must be a model, representing the ideals expected of members of the school counseling profession.

The student meets all requirements of the State of Nebraska, Title 92, Nebraska Administrative Code (NAC) Rule 21 pertaining to felonies and misdemeanors in any criminal or drug court, as well as court declaration of mental illness, dangerous person, mentally incompetent, and mental incapacity.

Transfer Credit

A student may transfer up to 12 graduate credit hours into the program. This credit must have been earned graduate coursework from an accredited institution of higher learning. Any course considered for transfer is individually reviewed for recency and relevance of the material as it relates to best practice and theory at the time of review. Transfer credit should be for work completed within seven years prior to application to the program. Graduate coursework taken while still an undergraduate student will be evaluated for transferability. Final determination on transfer credit is made by the Program Director. Only graduate courses in which the student’s letter grade is a “B-” or above may be considered for transfer credit and applied to degree requirements. Only six credits of courses with a grade of “Pass” or “Credit” may be transferred. All transfer courses are entered on the transcript with a grade of “P” (Passed).

Each student is responsible for making a formal request to have the official transcript(s) sent to etranscripts@doane.edu. These transcripts must be received prior to consideration for full graduate standing.

Time Limitations

A student is expected to complete the degree within seven years of beginning graduate study at Doane University. If previously completed course material is no longer relevant, the student must retake appropriate graduate courses as part of the program of study, as determined by the Program Director and Dean of the College of Education.

Program Completion Criteria

Completion of the Master of Education degree in School Counseling prepares students to be eligible for certification through the Nebraska Department of Education.

Recommendation for certification for Doane University for the School Counseling Endorsement is determined by the student’s potential as indicated by the following:

a. Completion of all Nebraska Department of Education requirements (Rule 21 & 24),
b. Successful completion of all coursework for the Master of Education in School Counseling,
c. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher for all courses leading to the degree, and
d. Successful completion of the Practicum and Internship requirements.

The School Counseling Program Director recommends to the Certification Officer those students who should be certified.

Practicum

The program requires the completion of an approved Practicum within a school setting consisting of at least 100 hours during the course of one regularly scheduled semester. Students may enroll in their practicum upon completion of all program requirements, a cleared background check, proof of liability coverage, and School Counseling faculty approval. Students must obtain 40 hours of direct contact service with students during practicum, one ½ hour per week of supervision throughout their practicum by an approved on-site supervisor. A formal student performance evaluation is made by the site supervisor, and the final grade is determined by the faculty supervisor.

Internship

The program requires that all students complete an internship consisting of 450 hours following successful completion of their practicum training. Students must complete 190 hours of direct-contact service with students during their internship and must have one 1/2 hour per week of supervision throughout their internship by an approved on-site supervisor. A formal student performance evaluation is made by the site supervisor, and the final grade is determined by the faculty supervisor.

Progress Toward the Degree

Graduates of the Master of Education in School Counseling program at Doane University are expected to consistently demonstrate the following professional dispositions, which reflect the core values and commitments articulated in the program’s vision and mission:

Exhibit ethical leadership and professional integrity aligned with ASCA Ethical Standards.
Maintain integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism in relationships with students, families, and colleagues.
Demonstrates honesty, responsibility, and accountability in all professional interactions and decision-making.
Engage in continuous personal and professional reflection to improve practice.
Embrace feedback and opportunities for growth with humility and curiosity.
Exhibit a proactive and solution-focused mindset in addressing school and community needs.
Engage in ongoing self-reflection to understand personal biases and cultural worldview.
Demonstrate cultural sustainability in counseling diverse student populations.
Exhibit the confidence, competence, and commitment necessary for impactful school counseling practice.
Engage in shared leadership and team-based approaches to address student needs and advance systemic goals.
Maintain a professional demeanor and demonstrate resilience when faced with complex challenges.
Successfully completed supervised field experiences demonstrating application of theory to practice.