School Counseling, Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Click here for additional information about the School Counseling Program. 

The School Counseling Program prepares professional school counselors who will be leaders, advocates, and systemic change agents in K-12 urban educational settings. The program emphasizes increasing graduates’ awareness, knowledge, and skills to work with economically, socially, and culturally diverse urban student populations. The program focuses on access, equity and social justice in the delivery of counseling services to promote the academic, career, and personal-social development of ALL students in culturally diverse urban settings. We aim to develop professional school counselors with the competencies to work both individually and systemically and who are committed to closing the opportunity gap in urban schools.

The School Counseling Program at the University of Maryland resides in the #1 ranked counseling department (U.S. News and World Report). Graduates of our School Counseling Program are eligible for certification as school counselors in Maryland and other states. The School Counseling Program prepares professional school counselors who will be leaders, advocates, and systemic change agents in K-12 urban educational settings. 

Per new US Department of Education regulations regarding state licensure disclosure, a determination has not been made as to whether this program meets the requirements for professional certification in any particular state or territory other than Maryland. We are in the process of reviewing state certification requirements and will update this page when more information is available.

For more information visit the graduate admission requirements webpage. Select an area of interest from the various offerings in the College of Education to determine the admission requirements and deadlines.  If you are unsure of your area of interest you may request information by submitting an Inquiry Form.  

The School Counseling Admissions Interview Day occurs on the second Friday in February. Invitations for interviews are sent out during the first week of February.

Please refer to the Guide to Applying for instructions on how to apply for graduate admission. International applicants, please visit the International admissions webpage for additional information. If you have questions or concerns, we ask you to first review our list of Frequently Asked Questions.  For questions about the application process, or to check on the completion of your application please contact:

Judy Foster, Coordinator of Graduate Admissions
Office of Student Services, College of Education
(301) 405-2359

After you apply for graduate admission you may checkyour application status by logging into the online graduate application using your user name and password.  Graduate faculty in the Academic Department you applied to will review your completed application for graduate admission.  Questions regarding application reviews and decision recommendations should be directed to Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education (CHSE).  Please contact:

Carol Scott, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education
(301) 405-8384

Please contact the Office of Student Services, ed-advising@umd.edu, or (301) 405-2364

Academic advisement for graduate students is provided by the graduate faculty in the Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education (CHSE). For advising information, please contact the Coordinator of Graduate Studies, Carol Scott at (301) 405-8384 or cscott18@umd.edu.

Visit the College of Education Scholarship opportunities webpage. 

Visit the Graduate School Fellowship and Graduate Assistantship web page for additional funding opportunities 

For information about other student financial aid, review the Office of the Student Financial Aid website

Students earn an M.Ed. (60 credit hours) in School Counseling. Coursework includes one 100-hour practicum and two 300-hour internships in schools in Prince George’s County, District of Columbia, Baltimore City, and other urban public school systems. Students also take courses in counseling, school counseling, research methods, and special education. Students matriculate on a full-time basis and complete the program in two years.

EDCP610: Professional Orientation (3)

EDCP616: Counseling I: Counseling Theories (3)

EDCP614: Counseling Skills: Introduction to Practicum (3)

EDCP622: Human Development in the Counseling Context

EDCP665: Family & Social Support Systems (3)

EDCP612: Multicultural Issues in Counseling (3)

EDCP621: Practicum in School Counseling (3)

EDCP651: Group Counseling in Schools (3)

EDCP870: Professional Issues Seminar (3)

EDCP611: Career Development: Theory/Programs (3)

EDCP635: School Consultation I (3)

EDCP615: Appraisal (3)

EDCP652: Research in Counseling (3)

EDCP879: Internship in School Counseling (9)

EDSP601: Special Education for School Counselors (3)

EDCP625: Counseling the Chemically Dependent (3)

EDCP797: Capstone Course: Program Planning (3)

EDCP620: Introduction to Mental Disorders (3)

Richard Q. Shin, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School Counseling Masters Program Director
Phone: 301.405.6509
Fax: 301.405.9995
Email: rqshin@umd.edu 

Paul B. Gold, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Phone: 301.405.8414
Fax: 301.405.9995
Email: pgold@umd.edu 

Natasha Mitchell, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Field Placement
Phone: 301.405.7443
Fax: 301.405.9995
Email: nmitche3@umd.edu 

Jessica McKechnie, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor
Phone: 301.405.8098
Fax: 301.405.9995
Email:  jmdiaz@umd.edu

Diksha Bali, Graduate Assistant
Email:  dbali@umd.edu

Carol Scott, Coordinator
Email: cscott18@umd.edu 

Academic deadlines are provided by the Office of the Registrar for the academic year. Students should refer to the deadlines listed in Important Dates  prior to the beginning of the degree completion semester.  

Students should check with their Department or Program for any deadlines it may have.  Please contact:

Carol Scott, Coordinator of Graduate Studies
Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education
(301) 405-8384

HANDBOOKS

Visit the Department of Counseling, High Education and Special Education program handbooks and forms page.

The Graduate Student Life Handbook provides information on academics, campus resources, finances, health, job opportunities, and information on how to get involved as a graduate student. 

The Field Placement Manual provides information on field experiences for the School Counseling Program.

POLICY

Graduate students in the College of Education are responsible for meeting University and the Graduate School policy, and for meeting Program requirements.   The Graduate Catalog  is the official listing of Policies governing graduate education at the University of Maryland.  The schedule adjustment policy is available from the Office of the Registrar and provides information on adding and dropping courses, penalties, and refund schedules.

FORMS

Graduate students are required to submit various forms at specific points in the program and as part of the degree clearance process.  Please refer to Steps Toward Graduation to determine the steps and forms that are required.  The forms needed by graduate students are available here.