The Educational Specialist degree in Counseling and Guidance is a post-masters program designed for experienced counselors who desire to improve, update or add another area to their professional expertise. The program is designed with flexibility to support the preparation of licensed professional counselors and certified school counselors. 

Emphasis areas include General Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.

Students are not currently being admitted for the General, Couples and Family Counseling, or Substance Abuse Counseling emphases in the Ed.S. degree program as these emphasis areas have been replaced by the "General Mental Health counseling" option listed above.

All students pursuing the Educational Specialist degree in Counseling and Guidance complete a minimum of 20 hours of required coursework (because of certification and licensure requirements, students may be required to complete additional courses). In addition to the core courses (11 credits), students will complete 9 or more hours depending on the chosen emphasis area and certification and/or licensure requirements. The curriculum is individually designed with an adviser so each candidate meets his/her specific needs and professional objectives. Those electing the School Counseling emphasis will, upon successful completion of the coursework and passing of the PRAXIS exam for counseling, become eligible for school counselor certification in Missouri. The General Mental Health Counseling emphasis area is designed for students who wish to work in a variety of settings other than the public schools. Those earning degrees in counseling become employed in community colleges, four-year colleges, specialized areas in large universities (e.g., career planning and placement, drug and alcohol counseling), the court system and community-based mental health services.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates demonstrate skills and knowledge in the following areas:

• Knowledge of advanced theories of counseling or career development
• Knowledge of theories of counseling supervision 
• Knowledge of counseling-related topics, such as couples and family counseling, counseling the older adult, sex therapy, and
• Application of counseling and practice skills in a community (or school) setting. 

Requirements for Admission

Applicants must:

1. Hold a master's degree in counseling from an accredited institution.
2. A grade of "B-" or better is required for courses in theoris and methods of counseling.
3. A grade of "pass" or "credit" is required for counseling practicum courses.
4. Overall master's in counseling degree GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale.

Admission Procedures

Applications are accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow for processing and review time, which could take up to 8 weeks. Application materials must be submitted to two separate offices on campus.

Send the following materials:

1. UMKC Application for Admission.
2. Application Fee : $35 (domestic online) or $50 (international) non-refundable application fee. 
3. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.
4. Official GRE scores.

to the following address:

Mailing Address

University of Missouri-Kansas City
UMKC Admissions
120 Administrative Center
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499

Send the following materials:

1. Cover sheet for the Education Specialist Degree in Counseling and Guidance Program (included in the program application packet).
2. Three applicant evaluation forms (included in the program application packet) with attached letters of recommendation.
   • Raters should address your suitability for professional studies in counseling.
   • Raters should have knowledge of your interpersonal and intellectual functioning and skills in research, counseling and written and oral communication.
   • Raters should enclose their letters of recommendation along with the provided rating sheet in an envelope, sign their names across the sealed flap, and either return to the applicant for later submission or mail directly to the Division at the address below.
   • Raters should be professional references. This excludes friends and family members.
3. Personal statement.
   • Submit a concise two to three page statement concerning your professional goals.
   • Include your professional and applied interests/experiences.
4. Additional requirements may apply for international students. 

to the following address:

Mailing Address

University of Missouri-Kansas City
ATTN: ED.S. Counseling and Guidance Admissions Committee

215 Education Building
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499

Curriculum

Program of study includes a minimum of 20 credit hours of coursework, including 11 credit hours of core courses and nine or more credit hours for emphasis area, certification, and/or licensure requirements. Additional coursework may be necessary for students who did not complete all of the program pre-requisite courses during their master's degree in counseling. Individual coursework is dependent on the emphasis option chosen and coursework completed during the master's degree in counseling and will be determined with the help of the student's faculty adviser. Students must maintain a B average in all coursework associated with the Ed.S. program.

• No grade below B in professional counseling courses will be acceptable.
• Students are required to confer with advisers prior to enrolling in any course leading to the educational specialist degree.
• Courses at the 5600 level cannot be taken until students are admitted to the Ed.S. program. Please note that 5600 level coursework is likely to be offered during daytime hours.

Common Core Courses		Hours
CPCE 5605   -or-  CPCE 5620	Career Development II -or- Advanced Theories and Methods of Counseling	3 3
CPCE 5640	Counseling Supervision	2
Six credits of practicum and/or internship from the following course options:
CPCE 5532	Individual Counseling Practicum	3
CPCE 5533	Couples and Families Counseling Practicum	3
CPCE 5539	Advanced Counseling Practicum	3
CPCE 5575C	Educational Specialist Internship	3
CPCE 5633	Couples and Families Counseling Practicum	3
General Mental Health Emphasis
Minimum of 9 hours from the following:
CPCE 5503	Psychopathology: Clasification & Treatment	3
CPCE 5521	Special Counseling Methods Substance Abuse	3
CPCE 5541	Couples and Family Therapy	3
CPCE 5542	Theory and Techniques of Family Systems Therapy	3
EDUC-R&P 5513	Lifespan Human Develpment	3
CPCE 5527	Theories and Methods of Sex Counseling	3
A&S 5500	Interdisciplinary Colloquium on Aging	3
NURSE 5530	The Experience of Health in Aging	3
SOCIOL 410R	Aging in Contemporary Society	3
CPCE 5589A	Special Topics: Counseling the Older Adult	3
CPCE 5598	Independent Study	3
CPCE 5590MH	Final Seminar: Mental Health	3
School Counseling Emphasis
CPCE 5502	Foundation of Elementary & Secondary Guidance	3
CPCE 5504	School Guidance Programs	3
* TCH-ED 5404	(1) Education of the Exceptional Child and Youth	3
* EDUC-C&I 5512	(2) Strategies for Effective Classroom Management	3
* EDUC-C&I 5517	(2) Teaching Methods & Practices	3
CPCE 5550	Organization and Administration of Counseling Programs	3
* EDUC-R&P 5510 -or- * EDUC-R&P 5512 -or- * EDUC-R&P 5513	Child Behavior & Development -or- Adolescent Development & the School -or- Lifespan Human Develpment	3 3 3
	(1) Many people with a teaching certificate already have this course. You may not need to retake it.
	(2) Required for those who do not hold a current teaching certificate.

Requirements for Graduation

Students must complete all courses in the Ed.S. program with at least a 3.0 final GPA.

Students must apply for graduation by the posted deadline during their final term of enrollment. All students must be enrolled during the term they intend to graduate.

Students must pass the PRAXIS Exam for Counseling.

More information about the program can be found at http://education.umkc.edu/programs/view/17