Master of Education in Counseling Mission Statement

The Master of Education in Counseling is designed for individuals seeking to assume professional roles as social justice-oriented school and mental health counselors. Students gain a firm foundation of awareness, knowledge, and skills that will enable them to assume counseling roles in various settings and adapt to changing circumstances over their professional careers. In addition to their primary role as counselors, students develop leadership and advocacy skills that will allow them to address issues of equity and justice as professionals. Faculty facilitate experiential learning opportunities that foster intellectual curiosity, model evidence-based and reflective practice, and encourage students to engage in critical analysis as clinicians, leaders, and advocates in their field.

 

Program Objectives

The Master of Education in Counseling program prepares counselors who are reflective, collaborative, and justice-oriented practitioners, who

  • Engage in multiple contexts to promote the social-emotional growth and development of individuals, groups, families, and organizations.

  • Critically and intentionally utilize multiple counseling and human development theories and multiple sources of evidence to inform and develop their own practice and promote growth and positive change.

  • Interrogate their own biases and social location to pursue culturally responsive practice actively and contribute collaboratively to equity's ongoing work.

 

University Mission

The liberal arts mission of the university shapes our focus on critical analysis, rich knowledge of self and others, and apt written and oral expression with a particular emphasis on writing that is grounded in the day-to-day world of education – planning documents, analyses of student work, and reflections on practice.

 

Professional Standards

The Master of Education in Counseling program is intentionally designed to support candidates to adhere to the field’s ethical standards including the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors and the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics.

The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) outlines approval standards for school counselor preparation programs (Chapter 181-78A) and licensure requirements for licensed mental health counselors (LMHC, LMHCA; Chapter 246-809). The MEd School Counseling Program is designed to prepare candidates to meet the standards and requirements for school counselor certification in Washington State. The MEd Program also prepares candidates to meet the educational requirements of the Washington Department of Health in order to pursue licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Associate (LMHCA).

The MEd program is fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP is the leading accrediting body for counseling preparation programs and supports excellence in counselor education by establishing high professional standards.