EdS in School Counseling Program Overview
This educational specialist (EdS) credential program prepares you to provide counseling support for K–12 students who need to overcome personal and academic challenges or plan for life after high school. The educational specialist degree has courses in group counseling and theories, adolescent behavior, methodology, evaluation, and professional counseling to prepare you to give every student a chance to prosper.
The educational psychology program has an emphasis in school-based mental health (SBMH). Hence, completing the EdS program qualifies you to handle clinical mental health counseling. It provides the training to build your skills and confidence to provide education-related mental health services and evaluations in a school setting. The counselor education program also prepares you for the PPS credential, which allows you to practice in California's schools.
If you have a bachelor's degree and want to be an important part of a school-based team, this type of educational psychology graduate study program will prepare you to support the academic and social emotional development of K-12 students such as through mental health counseling or career counseling.
Program Highlights
CTC-Approved Curriculum
Our graduate program designed for future school counselors is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), one of the highest standards in the country and the world.
Beyond a Master’s Degree
The program works around school psychology and educational leadership, and provides an advanced education that surpasses that of a master's degree.
All Bachelor’s Degrees Welcome
If you have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution, in any subject, you fulfill the admissions requirement to enter the EdS degree program.
Online Flexibility
You can earn your EdS and PPS credential online and learn how to work with students, online, in K-12, to gain the field experience you need counseling students and to succeed among the qualified school counselors.
Admissions
Learn About Admissions Requirements
Faculty
Get to Know Our Diverse Faculty
Degree Information
An education specialist in school counseling with PPS credential is more advanced than a master's degree but generally requires less coursework than a PhD or EdD. If you have a bachelor's degree and want to make a difference in the lives of school children by becoming a licensed professional counselor, this counseling psychology degree program prepares you to make a positive change for individual students in the classroom.
The education specialist in school counseling degree with emphasis in school-based mental health (SBMH) is a 70-credit program and takes a minimum of three years to complete, over 13 terms. Earn your education degree and begin working as a licensed professional counselor or a certified school counselor by enrolling in one of our programs today.
Student Learning Outcomes
Thinking about becoming a professional counselor? Alliant makes it easy for you to start a California school counseling profession. Coursework for the EdS in school counseling program ensures you are academically prepared for a school counselor certification and in the following professional competencies:
- Professional school counseling practice and development with the knowledge of the history and foundations of their profession; of service models and methods; of public policy development; and of ethical, professional, and legal standards.
- Student diversity in development and learning with knowledge of individual differences, abilities, and disabilities and of the influence of biological, social, cultural, ethnic, experiential, socioeconomic, gender-related, and linguistic factors in development and learning.
- Prevention, crisis intervention, and mental health with the knowledge of human development and psychopathology and biological, cultural, and social influences on human behavior.
- Effective instruction and development of cognitive/academic skills through knowledge of human learning processes, techniques to assess these processes, and direct and indirect services applicable to the development of cognitive and academic skills.
- Socialization and development of life skills through knowledge of human developmental processes, techniques to assess these processes, and direct and indirect services applicable to the development of behavioral, affective, adaptive, and social skills.
- Data-based decision-making and accountability with knowledge of varied models and methods of assessment useful in identifying strengths and needs, in understanding problems, and measuring progress and accomplishments.
- Consultation and collaboration with knowledge of behavioral, mental health, collaborative, and/or other consultation models and methods.
- Effective instruction and development of cognitive/academic skills through knowledge of human learning processes, techniques to assess these processes, and direct and indirect services applicable to the development of cognitive and academic skills.
- School and systems organization, policy development, and climate with knowledge of general education, special education, and other educational and related services.
- Home/school/community collaboration with knowledge of family systems, student development, learning, and behavior, and methods to involve families in education and service delivery.
- Research and program evaluation with knowledge of research, statistics, and evaluation methods.
- Information technology skills, with the knowledge of information sources and technology relevant to their work.
Links and Downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this school psychology program for?
This is suitable for teachers who want expertise gained from a PhD or EdD program, but at a similar pace to a master's program. If you're a teacher looking to explore advancement opportunities as a school psychologist, this is for you too.
What scholarship and financial aid options are available?
Private and public scholarships can help you meet the cost of your education, and Alliant offers institutional scholarships for many of our students. Learn more about these scholarship opportunities here. Additional financial aid is available for those who qualify in the form of loans, grants, federal work study, and military aid. Learn more in our Financial Options Guide.
When does the degree program start?
The program is an eight-week term program and is open for enrollment during each of those respective enrollment periods. Learn more with our eight-week term academic calendar.
How long does it take to complete the program?
The education specialist in counseling degree with emphasis in school-based mental health (SBMH) is a 70-credit program and takes a minimum of three years to complete, over 13 terms.
What is the modality of this program?
The program is offered online. All classes and coursework can be completed virtually, allowing you to tailor your education to your schedule. An online, synchronous residency is included in the program.
This is a profession in which you can really change the hearts and minds of many and extend your impact. There are many opportunities to completely transform systems and provide support in ways that exponentially increase your impact in the lives of many students.
Why Alliant
At Alliant, our mission is to prepare students for professional careers of service and leadership and to promote the discovery and application of knowledge to improve lives. We offer an education that is accredited, focused on practical knowledge and skills, connected with diverse faculty and alumni, and aimed at the student experience.
Why CSOE
CSOE offers a variety of degrees, certificates, and credentials in education that prepare you to make a lasting difference through teaching, counseling, leadership, advocacy, administration, management, and community work. Whether you’re looking for an online degree program or an in-person learning experience for your higher education, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
