Counselor Education, M.Ed.

Objective of the Program

The Counselor Education program offers graduate work leading to a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree. The school counseling program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education to meet competency area requirements for school certification (K‐12). The program prepares students to become entry‐level, human development specialists. The M.Ed. level program constitutes the initial professional preparation for students desiring employment in public or private schools or non‐educational agencies. The course of study is based on the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) national standards.

The general objectives of the program are:

1. To help students develop personal and interpersonal qualities and skills that are necessary to function in helping others.
2. To provide students with the competencies needed to demonstrate knowledge and skills that are necessary for counselors in school settings and human development specialists in non-school settings.

Accreditation

UMES’ Teacher Education and School Counseling Programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

Admission Criteria

The Counselor Education Program Admissions Committee recommends students to the UMES Graduate School for admission to the program. Entrance requirements include:

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
2. Course preparation in education, psychology and human development. Students are expected to have completed the following undergraduate courses prior to entry into the program: Human Growth and Development; Tests and Measurements; Introduction to Special Education; and Introduction to Psychology.
3. 3.0 average or better on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate course work.
4. Three letters of recommendation from persons capable of assessing the applicant’s potential for success in a Counselor Education graduate program.
5. An interview with the Admissions Committee.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester ‐ May 1st
Spring Semester ‐ November 1st
Summer ‐ April 1st

Provisional Admission

Applicants who possess an overall GPA of 2.75 will be admitted to Provisional Status. Provisional Status students must maintain a 3.30 average in the first nine approved credit hours of graduate level courses in Guidance and Counseling.

A student who is considered to have potential for success, but lacks adequate course preparation for Guidance and Counseling, may be asked to complete additional courses to enhance their background in related fields.

Exit Requirements

1. A 100 clock hour pre‐internship and a 400 clock hour Internship are required for all students. The Internship and internship are supervised counseling experiences in which students are required to integrate and apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. Students seeking certification as a school counselor are placed in school settings at the elementary/middle and high school levels where they can participate in all activities that a professional school counselor is expected to perform. Other students are placed in appropriate agencies where they can participate in all activities expected by a community counselor. Application to take the Internship must be filed with the department one semester before the student plans to take it. Approvals of advisor and the program coordinator are required.
2. A written comprehensive examination is required to ensure the mastery of the program competencies. Core courses must be completed before the comprehensive examination is taken.
3. The completion of a seminar paper demonstrating research competency is required. The advisor for the paper, the Graduate Program Coordinator, and the Chair of the Education Department must approve this paper.
4. The M.Ed. degree student must maintain a 3.0 grade point average. No grade in any program course which is lower than a “C” is acceptable for retention in the program.
5. A minimum of 48 credit hours is required for completion of the Master’s degree program in Counselor Education.

Counselor Education Courses

Based upon the applicant’s background and interests, a course of study will be planned with the advisor that is congruent with the student’s career goals. Curriculum options are: (1) School Counseling K‐12; or (2) Community Counseling.

For more information on this program, please contact:

Cheryl Bowers, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Coordinator, Counselor Education
Department of Education, Hazel Hall
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, MD 21853
Email: cdbowers@umes.edu