Specialist in Education with a Major in Professional Counseling
The Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) is designed for graduate students with a master's degree in counseling, or in a related field, who desire further specialization as professional counselors and a higher level of competence in their work settings. This Ed.S. program does not lead to licensure as a professional counselor. The degree consists of 27 semester hours after completion of the master's degree.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog. A program sheet, which provides a required coursework sequence, is available for download in the Courses tab below.
The mission of the Ed.S. in Professional Counseling program is to provide professional counselors with advanced skills and knowledge to be exemplary practitioners and supervisors.
This program does not lead to initial certification in School Counseling or licensure as a Professional Counselor. The master's degree is the entry level for initial certification in School Counseling and licensure in Professional Counseling. However, this Ed.S. program is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for an in-service field upgrade for select areas of practice.
Program Location
Online
Method of Delivery
Courses are 100% online
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 27
A transfer credit evaluation will be completed by the UWG Transfer Team (transfer@westga.edu). Course application to a program is subject to review by the department.
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
This program is offered entirely online. Though a student may choose to sign-up for a face-to-face elective or core course, one can earn this degree completely online.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited university of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen. In addition, online courses and programs can mean a huge cost-savings in many non-evident ways: No more high gas charges. No childcare needed. The flexibility can allow one to maintain a job while attending school. Regardless of state residency, out-of-state non-resident students are not charged non-resident tuition for online course credit hours.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-Face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, they will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For the cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
Coursework
100% online
Downloads
General
Examines essential knowledge and current research on issues that impact military personnel and their families and how the helping professions can assist in addressing these issues. Analyzes the unique concerns that affect military families through pre-, during and post-deployment, as well as significant issues for children and adults in school and agency settings. Also addresses issues relating to student veterans pursuing post-secondary education.
This course is designed for students in the Ed.S. program to develop advanced competencies for counseling intervention with diverse populations. Students will learn specific theories and techniques for counseling multicultural populations. Special attention will be given to working with minority, non-dominant, and oppressed populations. Students will examine their own attitudes, behaviors, perceptions, and biases to developing culturally aware approaches to counseling and/or administration.
This course will provide students with advanced knowledge, skills and awareness of supervision in professional counseling settings. The focus is on the development of effective clinical supervision style and skills, and integrates ethical, legal, multicultural and other professional issues related to professional counseling settings. Pre-requisite: Admission to the Ed.S. program in Professional Counseling.
This course prepares students for competent professional practice as clinical mental health counselors and school counselors functioning in the role of consultant. Consultation theory and process will be discussed. Examples of consultation with families, schools, colleges and community agencies will be provided, as well as models for facilitating change in human systems.
This course is designed for graduate students who have been admitted into the education specialist program in professional counseling. The course addresses steps involved in effectiveness-based program planning, including elements of a program that are critical for measuring effectiveness.
This seminar is designed for graduate students who have been admitted to the Ed.S. program in professional counseling and supervision. Special topics and current issues in counseling and supervision will be critically examined. An exchange of scholarly thinking and research will be the hallmark of classroom interactions and assignments. Pre-requisite: Admission to the Ed.S. program in Professional Counseling.
This course presents basic methods of empirical inquiry used in counseling-related settings. Students will learn how to interpret published quantitative research studies, identify appropriate measurement instruments, and statistically analyze inferential data to answer research questions. Students will also complete appropriate trainings demonstrating their understanding of ethical considerations for human-subject research.
This course is designed for graduate students who have been admitted into the Ed.S. program in Professional Counseling. The purpose of this course is to equip students with knowledge and skills in the area of professional writing. In this course, students will review the basic grammatical principles and conventions necessary to communicate effectively in written form. Moreover, students will learn technical writing techniques and the structure of a professional manuscript. Students will apply this knowledge through course-embedded assignments that promote skill development, helping students learn to successfully write across a range of topics, from short reports to research manuscripts.
This course presents an applied approach to learning mixed methods research. Students will learn how to design mixed methods studies, collect and analyze data, integrate findings, and draw inferences using both qualitative and quantitative approaches in a single study. Pre-requisite: Admission to the Ed.S. program in Professional Counseling.
Morgan Jenkins, PhD, LPC, ACS
Clinical Assistant Professor
Michele Pinellas, Ed.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Counseling
Kyndel Tarziers
Assistant Professor
Julia Whisenhunt, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CPCS
Professor of Counselor Education and Assistant Department ChairGuidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
Admission to this program is competitive and subject to capacity constraints. While we review applications on a rolling basis, meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Due to high demand and limited available spots, priority consideration is given to applicants who submit and complete their applications early. We strongly encourage interested students to apply as soon as possible to maximize their opportunity for admission.
- Official transcripts from all schools that have conferred degrees (Bachelor's, Master's, etc.) are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
- Master's degree in counseling or very closely related field required (no exceptions or exemptions)
- Minimum 3.0 graduate GPA
- Personal Statement: A written personal narrative describing the reasons for applying to the program, an analysis of personal strengths and weaknesses related to the chosen option, career goals, and communication/interpersonal skills.
- Resume
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If the prospective student’s master’s degree is NOT from a CACREP accredited counseling program, the student must have taken the equivalent of:
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- CEPD 7138 - Multicultural Counseling 3 Credit Hours
- CEPD 6140 - Basic Counseling Skills 3 Credit Hours
- CEPD 6141 - Principles of Clinical Mental Health Counseling 3 Credit Hours
- CEPD 6151 - Assessment & Appraisal in Counseling 3 Credit Hours
- CEPD 6131 - Counseling Theories 3 Credit Hours
- CEPD 6160 - Group Counseling 3 Credit Hours
- CEPD 6182 - Internship: Professional Counseling 1.0 - 6.0 Credit Hours (CEPD 6188 Prerequisite)
- CEPD 7141 - Professional Orientation and Ethics in Counseling 3 Credit Hours
- CEPD 7152 - Research and Program Evaluation 3 Credit Hours
- CEPD 6188 - Practicum: Professional Counseling 3 Credit Hours
Applicants who hold a master's degree from a program that was not CACREP accredited at time of degree completion should submit, alongside the other required application materials, an audit of their transcript to indicate the equivalent graduate course from their program of study, respective of the 10 aforementioned prerequisite courses. One completed graduate course may only serve as equivalency for one prerequisite course. This audit document should be presented in list or table format.
Equivalency of courses must be determined and approved by the student’s advisor. Additional documentation (e.g., course syllabi, course descriptions), may be required to determine equivalency. Students who are admitted without having the equivalent of the above courses are expected to complete them successfully before taking the required Ed.S. coursework. These prerequisite courses will not count toward meeting the requirements for the Ed.S. degree.
Application Deadlines
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
* Application, app fee, and document deadline
See The Scoop for more specific deadlines.
Admission Process Checklist
The Graduate Studies Application Process checklist is available here
One exception: If you will not ever be traveling to a UWG campus or site, you may apply for an Immunization Exemption. Contact the Immunization Clerk with your request.
Contact
Dr. Julia Whisenhunt
jwhisenh@westga.edu
678-839-6116
Graduate Admissions
Phone: 678-839-1394
graduate@westga.edu
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate Only), Financial Aid, Fee Payment, Registration, Start/End of Term Dates, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School
- Demonstrate the ability to apply advanced theories of individual and group counseling in practice.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply research methods to counseling interventions and/or program evaluation and use the information to improve programming
- Demonstrate the ability to provide quality clinical supervision
- Demonstrate an understanding of current issues in counseling and supervision
- Demonstrate advanced skills in specialty area of interest
- Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions relevant to practice in a multicultural society