Professional Counseling
Become a School Counselor with a CACREP-accredited program. Develop essential skills and make a difference in students' lives.
Professional Counseling, School Counseling Concentration, Ed.S.
The School Counseling Concentration in the Specialist in Education in Professional Counseling degree program is offered through the College of Education at MTSU. The School Counseling concentration is a 61-hour degree program with an emphasis on developmental school counseling. Students who complete the concentration in School Counseling will have met the educational requirements necessary for licensure as school counselors.
Professional Counseling Mission
The mission of the Professional Counseling program is to help students develop essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions to function successfully as professional counselors working in mental health agencies, private practice, or elementary, middle, and high schools. The Professional Counseling Faculty strive to attract a diverse group of students who have an allegiance to social justice and to advocate for equal opportunity for all members of society, and who will make a strong commitment to their own academic achievement, professional development, and personal self-awareness and growth across the lifespan. Professional Counseling faculty train highly skilled counselors to assist individuals with social, emotional, and/or academic challenges. The curriculum emphasizes and infuses information pertaining to diversity and trauma.
Experience
Learning by doing provides students with valuable experience that builds their confidence as aspiring counselors. Students majoring in Professional Counseling are provided with this opportunity at the MTSU Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CCPS) and through internship experiences at mental health agencies and schools. CCPS is a high-tech training facility where students provide counseling services to MTSU students, faculty, and staff as well as residents of the Murfreesboro community under the supervision of faculty during their practicum experience. Included in the off-campus facility are three individual/family counseling rooms, a child therapy room, and two classrooms. The counseling offices and child therapy room are equipped with a state-of-the-art audio/video recording system and all sessions are recorded for supervision purposes.
Following the practicum experience, students complete in-depth internship training in agencies and schools in preparation for their roles as professional counselors. Most graduates of the Professional Counseling program obtain jobs in Murfreesboro and the middle Tennessee area. School counseling graduates work at school districts in which they provide services to students, school personnel, and parents in elementary, middle, and high school settings. Employment prospects are very good given the strong reputation of the program.
Concentrations
MTSU's Professional Counseling program offers two concentrations — Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. Both concentrations are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
News Briefs
MTSU’s College of Education welcomes future ‘difference makers’ back to campus for new year
Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Education hosted its second annual welcome back event “Rolling into Education!” to welcome new and returning students back to campus for the start of the fall semester. [ Read More ]
Registration open for MTSU center’s July educator training academies
Middle Tennessee State University’s Center for Educational Media is hosting its annual PK-12 Collaborative Summer Academies — full-day professional development opportunities for teachers of English Language Learners, special education teachers and school counselors. [ Read More ]
News Briefs
MTSU’s College of Education welcomes future ‘difference makers’ back to campus for new year
Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Education hosted its second annual welcome back event “Rolling into Education!” to welcome new and returning students back to campus for the start of the fall semester. [ Read More ]
Registration open for MTSU center’s July educator training academies
Middle Tennessee State University’s Center for Educational Media is hosting its annual PK-12 Collaborative Summer Academies — full-day professional development opportunities for teachers of English Language Learners, special education teachers and school counselors. [ Read More ]
Professional Counseling, School Counseling Concentration, Ed.S.
Most graduates of the Professional Counseling program obtain jobs in Murfreesboro and the middle Tennessee area. Clinical mental health counseling graduates work at mental health agencies as counselors and eventually complete the requirements for licensure as professional counselors (LPCs). School counseling graduates find employment at school districts in which they provide services to students, school personnel, and parents in elementary, middle, and high school settings.
The following is a partial list of entities where MTSU Professional Counseling graduates have found employment:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Employers
- Branches Counseling Center
- Cedar Grove Residential Treatment Center
- Centerstone
- Cumberland Heights
- JourneyPure
- Integrative Life Center
- Mental Health Cooperative
- MTSU Counseling Services
- Murfreesboro Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center
- Nashville Center for Trauma and Psychotherapy
- Rutherford County Recovery Court
- The Next Door
- Volunteer Behavioral Health Care System
- Youth Villages
School Counseling Employers
- Bedford County Schools
- Cannon County Schools
- Coffee County Schools
- Franklin County Schools
- Franklin Special School District
- Knox County Schools
- Maury County Schools
- Metro Nashville Public Schools
- Murfreesboro City Schools
- Rutherford County Schools
- Sumner County Schools
- Warren County Schools
- Williamson County Schools
- Wilson County Schools
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake.
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
MTSU Center for Counseling and Psychological Services
Learning by doing gives participants valuable experience and confidence. Students majoring in Professional Counseling are provided with this opportunity at the MTSU Center for Counseling and Psychological Services. This is a high-tech training facility where students provide counseling services to MTSU students, faculty, and staff as well as residents of the Murfreesboro community under the supervision of faculty. Included in the off-campus facility are three individual/family counseling rooms, a child therapy room, and two classrooms. The counseling offices and child therapy room are equipped with a state-of-the-art audio/video recording system. All sessions are recorded for supervision purposes.
Application and Admission Information
- Supplemental Application (Dynamic Form)
- Vita/Resume (PDF)
- Application Process for Graduate Assistantships
- Online Application
- Online Application (International Students)
Professional Licensure Disclosure
MTSU discloses that the Education Specialist (EDS) in Professional Counseling, School Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and approved by the Tennessee Department of Education. Admission to the program does not guarantee that students will obtain a license. Successful completion of this program meets the educational requirements to apply for school services personnel licensure as a school counselor in Tennessee.
The EDS Professional Counseling School Counseling disclosure provided on MTSU’s professional licensure disclosure website indicates the states and territories where MTSU has determined, through reasonable and good faith effort, that the program does or does not meet the educational requirements for other US states and territories. Licensing authorities for each state set and enforce their own requirements and standards, which are subject to change. Current and prospective students not located in Tennessee or who plan to seek licensure or certification outside the state of Tennessee should contact the appropriate state licensing agency or board and discuss their plans with an advisor and the MTSU Office of Teacher Licensure before enrolling in the program to ensure they have the most up-to-date information and guidance regarding licensure requirements.
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