Program Overview

The mission of the Webster University graduate school counseling degree program is to provide high-quality learning experiences to students, helping them become expert professional school counselors who strive for individual excellence and contribute to an enhanced quality of life in local, national and global societies. Curriculum is culturally inclusive, training students with a strong base of knowledge and skills to practice effectively in a variety of careers in the field of mental health and human service, educational institutions, private practice, and government, business and industrial settings. It is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge, practice and skills for working with individuals, children, families and groups in a variety of mental health and educational settings.

Learning Outcomes
The student learning outcomes for the MA in school counseling support the development of students as competent counselors in training. Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Develop a professional orientation and identity as a counselor by applying sound ethical, legal, advocacy and supervisory practices which lead to success as a school counselor.
• Identify the cultural context of relationships, issues and trends in a multicultural society that impact the counseling process.
• Synthesize theories of human growth and development to develop culturally responsive counseling practices.
• Apply theories and models of career development to related life factors in multicultural contexts appropriate to an individual's work, family and lifestyle.
• Develop an empirically based approach to counseling that emphasizes wellness and prevention by integrating theory and best practices.
• Apply theoretical and experiential understandings of group approaches to counseling to develop targeted interventions within a multicultural society.
• Apply individual and group approaches to assessment and evaluation in a multicultural society.
• Utilize statistical concepts, research methods, needs assessment and program evaluation skills commonly used in the counseling profession.
• Utilize skills and knowledge of student development and behavior to promote the mental health and well-being of all students by facilitating their academic, career and personal/social development.
• Collaborate with school and community members to plan, design, implement, evaluate and enhance the school and district-wide school counseling program to advance the academic, career and personal/social development of all students.
• Develop collaborative professional relationships throughout the school and community which support the school counseling program as well as the overall mission and improvement plans of the school and district.
• Serve as a change agent, demonstrating leadership, vision, collaboration and advocacy for the on-going development of self, students, the school counseling program and the school district.