Master of Arts (M.a.)
School Counseling
with K-12 Counseling Endorsement
For those interested in earning their LPC:
Beginning in Fall 2026, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) modified the academic requirements for eligibility to take the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and obtain the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) designation. While all required coursework is already included in the School Counseling degree program, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has increased the total graduate credit hour requirement for eligibility.
Students enrolled in the School Counseling degree program who wish to be eligible to sit for the NCE must complete a minimum of 60 graduate credit hours. Again, this is not for the PEL, just for the NCE if you choose to pursue it.
For students pursuing this pathway, recommended additional coursework may include:
- CMHC 6060 – Child and Adolescent Counseling
- CMHC 6330 – Transforming Crisis to Wellness
- CMHC 6355 – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- CMHC 6500 – Counseling Psychopharmacology
Program Overview
The School Counseling program is carefully designed to prepare candidates for work as school counselors in elementary, middle and high school settings. Specifically, the School Counseling program offers training in providing individual and group work as well as development and refinement of individual skills in both public and private schools. The program of study meets certification requirements of the state of Illinois. Upon completion of the program, candidates are eligible to apply for the Illinois Professional Educator’s License: School Service Personnel Endorsement K-12 (formerly Type 73). Courses also allow the candidate to apply for the exam sponsored by the Illinois Department of Professional Resources for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Program Objectives
- Have a full understanding of the ASCA national model and its implementation in school counseling programs through developmental classroom leadership and responsive services, providing prevention and intervention services to the entire student population;
- Demonstrate knowledge of and skills in individual and group counseling services for students in school settings;
- Exhibit knowledge of and skills in consultation services for teachers, parents and administrators and to coordinate counseling interventions with other professionals;
- Assume a leadership role in the schools, focusing on the academic, career and personal/social development of every student;
- Coordinate testing and assessment in schools, analyzing disaggregated data to identify and advocate for underserved populations;
- Establish clear and appropriate professional identities as school counselors.
Areas of Study
Track One: Program requirements for individuals possessing a valid Illinois Educator’s License (PEL)
- Prerequisite of 12 earned credits in psychology and/or sociology (C or better)
- Must hold a standard educator’s license (PEL)
- Completion of the School Counseling program coursework
- Completion of the Master’s Capstone Experience
| Course Number | Title | Hours |
| CED-6005 | Fundamentals of School Counseling | 3 |
| CED-6010 | Counseling Theory And Practice | 3 |
| CED-6015 | Counseling Intervention and Techniques | 3 |
| CED-6240 | Group Work in Schools | 3 |
| CED-6260 | Career Counseling and Education | 3 |
| CED-6035 | Counseling and Human Development | 3 |
| CMHC-6420 | Substance/Alcohol Use & Therapy | 3 |
| CMHC-6040 | Applied Diagnosis for Counselors | 3 |
| CED-6055 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| CED-6210 | School Counseling Program Dev and Organization | 3 |
| CED-6220 | Counseling and Consulting in Schools | 3 |
| CED-6230 | Evaluation and Research for Counselors | 3 |
| CED-6250 | Fundamentals of Assessment | 3 |
| CMHC- 6550 | Family Systems Theory and Practice | 3 |
| CED-6920 | Practicum: School Counseling | 3 |
| CED-6928 | Internship I: School Counseling (300 Hours) | 3 |
| CED-6929 | Internship II: School Counseling (300 Hours) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 51 |
Track Two (57 Credit Hours): Program Requirements for individuals without a valid Illinois Educator’s License (PEL)
- Prerequisite of 12 earned credits in psychology and/or sociology (C or better)
- Completion of the School Counseling program coursework
- Completion of the Master’s Capstone Experience
- Completion of the following two courses with demonstrated competencies. These courses are required, in addition to the 51 hour portion of the program, and must be completed before taking practicum and/or internship:
- CED 6890 Reading Methods and Bilingual Education
- SPED 6425 Psychology & methods of Teach Exp. Learner
Master's Capstone Experience
All students in Concordia’s school counseling program will complete a written portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of work that demonstrates growth toward, and understanding of professional standards. During the practicum portion of the program, students will construct a comprehensive developmental program that could be implemented and will increase student’s success in multiple domains. The portfolio developed should be something which students can use in their future career as a school counselor.
NOTE: This is only an introduction of the program. You are responsible to review the Graduate Catalog for program details.
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