
Master of Education in School Counseling
Campus Location: Lincoln, Bellevue, Online
Degree Type: Graduate
Become A Master in School Counseling
Master of Education in School Counseling
Graduates of Doane University’s Master of Education in School Counseling program are transformative and ethical leaders who advocate for equity, inclusion, and access in all educational settings. Our distinguished graduates are compassionate bridge builders, culturally responsive counselors, and collaborative professionals who inspire systemic change and foster the academic, social-emotional and career development of every student to thrive in a diverse, global community.
The mission of the Master of Education in School Counseling program at Doane is to prepare and develop future school counselors anchored in the liberal arts and aligned with the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Model and Professional Standards and Competencies. Through rigorous academic preparation, reflective practices, field-based experiences and authentic assessment, the program ensures graduates are confident, competent, and committed—equipped with the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to design, implement, and evaluate equitable, comprehensive and data-informed school counseling programs. With a proactive and solution-focused mindset, students apply ethical, research-based and developmentally appropriate strategies across academic, career and social-emotional domains to support the needs of diverse learners and communities.

Program Outcomes
Learner and Learning
- Foundational Knowledge: Students will demonstrate knowledge of the history of school counseling and the structure and organization of the American educational system. Students also understand the development trajectories of diverse learners in the school environment.
Content
- Core Theories and Concepts: Students can demonstrate knowledge of established and emerging counseling and education theories, methods and evidence-based techniques while utilizing relationship-building skills that are foundational to successful outcomes for students.
- Instructional and School Counseling Interventions: Students use multiple data points to assess individual students’ needs and identify a range of school counseling techniques to meet those needs. Students also utilize digital literacy and technology tools to support the school counseling program and to track the academic, college/career and social/emotional development of all students.
Instructional Practice
- Student Learning Outcomes: Students create and implement data-informed school counseling programs that positively impact student outcomes and promote educational equity and access. Our students will use pedagogical skills, collaborative strategies and referral systems to support student learning.
- Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating Comprehensive School Counseling Programs: Students use school data and school counseling program assessments to evaluate areas of strength and needed improvement for program activities and interventions.
Professional Responsibility
- Professional Practice: Students demonstrate the appropriate scope of school counseling practice in varied education settings, understand their role as a leader, collaborator, advocate and agent for systemic change, and engage in opportunities to support their professional growth and identity development.
- Ethical Practice: Students demonstrate ethical and culturally responsive behavior, maintain the highest standard of professionalism and legal obligation, and use consultation and ongoing critical reflection to prevent ethical lapses.
Program Information
Courses
Program Requirements
This endorsement requires 48 hours of coursework, 150 hours of school-based practicum experiences and 450 internship hours as designated by the Nebraska Department of Education. Students who hold a Bachelor’s degree, but do not hold a teaching certificate, will complete 12 additional teacher education hours, as required by the Nebraska Department of Education.
Faculty and Staff

Rachel Catlett - Director, Master of Education School Counseling Program

Specialized Accreditation
Specialized accrediting agencies concentrate on programs, departments and colleges within a larger university. Doane University programs are accredited by several specialized agencies including the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Learn more about Doane’s specialized Accreditation and Memberships.
American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
Doane’s School Counseling program aligns with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). We prioritize the themes of advocacy, collaboration, systemic change, and leadership. "Success You Can Count On: Every Graduate Who Applied Is Now a School Counselor!"

Master of Education in School Counseling students engage in a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills from various disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, social justice and ethics, which enhances their ability to support students in diverse and holistic ways. This well-rounded perspective helps school counselors develop an effective, equitable, data-driven and comprehensive school counseling program.
Master of Education in School Counseling students connect with school districts, administrators, parents, students and community stakeholders to build strong collaborative relationships through listening, advocacy and multicultural awareness.
Throughout the school counseling program, students put into practice the four American School Counselor Association (ASCA) themes of advocacy, leadership, collaboration, and systemic change. They do this through coursework and by implementing the ASCA National Model framework. This practical application of their knowledge and skills enables them to develop a comprehensive school counseling program that meets all students' needs in academic, social/emotional, and career development.
Master of Education in School Counseling students engage in a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills from various disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, social justice and ethics, which enhances their ability to support students in diverse and holistic ways. This well-rounded perspective helps school counselors develop an effective, equitable, data-driven and comprehensive school counseling program.
Master of Education in School Counseling students connect with school districts, administrators, parents, students and community stakeholders to build strong collaborative relationships through listening, advocacy and multicultural awareness.
Throughout the school counseling program, students put into practice the four American School Counselor Association (ASCA) themes of advocacy, leadership, collaboration, and systemic change. They do this through coursework and by implementing the ASCA National Model framework. This practical application of their knowledge and skills enables them to develop a comprehensive school counseling program that meets all students' needs in academic, social/emotional, and career development.