M.S. School Counseling

Dedicate your career to social transformation by elevating students' academic, career, and emotional growth.
Degree Type Master of Science
Careers & Salaries Graduate Degree Outcomes
Delivery On Campus

Transform Society Advocating for Students.

Become a driving force in the academic, career, social, and emotional development of students through UW-Stout's nationally ranked Master of Science (M.S.) School Counseling program. We don't just educate; we transform you into a leader who advocates for students from diverse backgrounds and age groups. Imagine collaborating with communities, implementing comprehensive counseling programs, and removing barriers to success for students in proactive ways. 

It's not just about education; it's about elevating dreams and agency, forging paths towards enriched, and creating healthy lives and a more just world for all. Join us on this transformative journey where you play an active role in shaping the future. Real impact begins at UW-Stout.

Student engages in conversation with school counselor

Elevating Your Experience. What Defines Our Program.

Discover a curriculum approved by the Wisconsin DPI, hands-on experiences that immerse you in real-world situations, flexible learning paths designed to fit your life, expert faculty who are your mentors, and a pathway to high employability. Our program prepares you to play an active role with children, their families, teachers, psychologists, and community agencies to improve academic achievement and remove students’ barriers to success. 

Wisconsin DPI Approval. Our program is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) ensuring quality and alignment with educational standards. 

Hands-On Learning. Immerse yourself in hands-on experiences within our on-campus facilities, including the Clinical Services Center Counseling Rooms where theory meets practice. 

Flexible Learning Paths. We understand the demands of your life. That's why we offer a blend of daytime, evening, online, and summer courses to fit your schedule. 

Expert Faculty. Our experienced faculty use their real-world experience to guide you through earning your degree and license. Their commitment to your growth is unmatched, making UW-Stout the ideal place to launch your career in school counseling.

Certification Advantages. Upon completion, graduates are provisionally certified as school counselors in Wisconsin and eligible for Minnesota certification.

High Employability. Join a program with 100% job placement and receive ongoing support in your job-seeking journey.

Practicum & Internship Experiences.

True proficiency in school counseling isn't achieved through theory alone—it's about hands-on practice and real-world impact. During your 100-hour Practicum, you'll immerse yourself in a school setting, turning classroom knowledge into real-world solutions. Weekly on-site visits and biweekly supervision meetings with faculty ensure you receive guidance and mentorship from experienced professionals. Our Internship program is the ultimate preparation for your career, with a commitment of 600 hours, including five days per week at two different levels. This intensive experience equips you with the knowledge and skills to excel in the field. Our Practicum and Internship experiences are your launchpad to a successful career—be inspired, be empowered, and apply for UW-Stout's M.S. Counseling program today.

School counselor engages in counseling session

Curriculum Icon

Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive education with a focus on culturally sustaining practices. With a five-semester program that includes hybrid learning, you'll gain valuable insights into modern school counseling.

View program plans, credit requirements, and course descriptions.

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Expert Guidance.

Our M.S. School Counseling faculty is a blend of experience and diverse talents. They are here to support you every step of the way.

Photo of Dr. Christine Peterson

Dr. Christine Peterson
Program Director / Professor
239 Heritage Hall
715-232-2182
petersonchris@uwstout.edu

Photo of Dr. Sharon Hansen

Dr. Sharon Hansen
Assistant Professor
240E Heritage Hall
715-232-2874
hansensh@uwstout.edu

 

Photo of Dr. Riley Drake

Dr. Riley Drake
Assistant Professor
240F Heritage Hall
draker@uwstout.edu

Photo of Dr. Molley Welch Deal

Dr. Molly Welch Deal
Assistant Professor
240D Heritage Hall
715-808-2845
welchdealm@uwstout.edu

 

Graduate assistantship in M.S. School Counseling.

Graduate Assistantships

Discover hands-on learning opportunities.
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Financial Aid

Explore financial aid options.
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Counseling Students engages in assistantship.

State Authorization Agreements

View rules and agreements for state authorization.
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Admission Requirements

General UW-Stout Graduate School Application

All prospective graduate students at UW-Stout must follow a standard application process through our Graduate Studies. Beyond that, each graduate program has specific requirements that must be met to be successfully admitted to the program: 

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Application Deadline:

  • Fall Term: January 5 (Priority)

Applicants are strongly advised to complete the admissions process prior to January 5. Applications received after this deadline will be considered as space is available. 

Eligibility

To be admitted with full status to the M.S. in School Counseling program, you must:

  • Hold an appropriate bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
  • Have an overall GPA of at least 3.0.

Program-Specific Application Requirements

To successfully apply for the program, first complete the UW System Application and receive your Application ID. Then, use this ID to fill out the UW-Stout Graduate Studies Collection Form, where you will provide the following:

  • Background Check (completed through an external vendor)
  • Candidate Information Form
  • Personal Statement - approximately 500 words (not to exceed 3 typewritten, double-spaced pages) 
    • Describe your strengths and weaknesses as a potential graduate student, as well as your motivation for entering the program.
    • Clearly indicate your understanding of the roles and functions of professionals in the program.
    • Reference activities/employment in which you have been involved that make you a particularly good candidate for admission into the program.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
Access Collection Form Site*
*The Collection Form Site requires an Application ID provided upon completion of the UW-System Application

Application Review Process

A review of all applications will be conducted by the program director or a program admissions committee.

Applicants who are recommended by a faculty committee are invited to a personal interview. After the interview, you will be notified within one week about your acceptance or denial to the program.

Objectives & Outcomes

After completing this program, the student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the psychosocial foundations of human development, learning, and behavior
  • Model various theoretical and practical approaches to counseling and develop a personal theory of counseling
  • Apply basic counseling and facilitative communication skills in individual and small group settings.
  • Apply topic-focused and developmentally appropriate classroom and group guidance skills to enhance PK-12 students’ academic, personal/social, and career development.
  • Apply psycho-educational theory and concepts in relation to individual assessment of aptitude, interest, and achievement
  • Apply knowledge of career development theory and practice to facilitate the development of PK-16 student career and transition skills.
  • Conduct basic educational research and evaluation. Utilize student and institutional data to improve programs and recommend change.
  • Develop, organize, administer, and evaluate a comprehensive PK-12 school counseling program that supports academic, personal/social, and career development. Differentiate and implement the unique aspects of the elementary and secondary school counseling programming.
  • Understand, respond to, and advocate for the guidance needs of diverse students populations.
  • Communicate and collaborate with school-age students, their families, school staff, and community agency representatives to promote a safe, healthy, and effective learning environment
  • Model legal and ethical standards of school counseling practice in accordance with state and federal law and the standards of the American School Counselor Association and the American Counseling Association.

Alumni of our Master's degree program in School Counseling from UW-Stout have gone on to practice in schools and communities across the nation. Many of our graduates work in the Wisconsin-Minnesota region. 

Please note that the UW-Stout program is designed to meet requirements specific to licensure in the State of Wisconsin. Students who desire to work in states other than Wisconsin following degree completion will need to contact that state's board or licensing agency regarding school counseling credentialing requirements. Students are also encouraged to connect with their program director to better understand licensing requirements for their state of choice. See the following website for additional information.  

Employment Opportunities

UW-Stout's School Counseling program has a strong state and national reputation. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook employment rates are high. Graduates' ability to demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge to develop their own counseling style, have confidence in the use of counseling, assessing, evaluating, and consulting skills, and understand the ethical and professional responsibilities of being a counselor lead to successful job placement.

Geographical location of job openings will vary. Graduates of the School Counseling program work throughout the United States.

Examples of recent position announcements include:

  • School to Career Coordinator at an urban high school
  • Middle School Counselor at a suburban school
  • Counselor for career education and career counseling and crisis counseling
  • Elementary School Counselor in a rural school district
  • Career Counselor at a Technical College Career Development Center
Program Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee Members

MariaAlmDean of College of Arts & Human ServicesUW-Stout
AndyFeltonAssociate Professor (CMHC Program)UW-Stout
SamHochstetlerSchool CounselerMemorial HS Eau Claire School District
SherryJasperAdjunct InstructorUW-Stout
Kristi KjelstadSchool CounselerChippewa Falls HIllcrest Elememtary
AriaKrieserSchool CounselerHudson Prairie Elementary
JasonMountainDean of Students/School CounselorMenomonie Middle School
KatrinaRaskieSchool CounselerEau Claire Robbins Elementary
DeannaSchultzAssociate Dean/Director, School of EducationUW-Stout
SharonHansenProgram Director MS School CounselingUW-Stout
DrakeRileyAssistant Professor (MSSC Program)UW-Stout
MollyWelch DealAssistant Professor (MSSC Program)UW-Stout
KaitlynEyerlySchool CounselerElk Mound Area School District
JoanJepsenburgerSchool Counseler 
HeatherKlandermanEducation Certification Off UW-Stout

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