School Counseling

Master of Science (M.S.) in School Counseling

The 48-credit MS degree with a concentration in School Counseling includes the coursework and field experiences (practicum/internships) required for certification as a School Counselor in Nebraska. Starting Fall of 2026, this program will be reduced to 36-credits.

Don’t have a teaching certificate?

Nebraska also provides a path to an endorsement as a school counselor without a teaching certificate through the Teaching Program Alternative Permit. An advisor will work with alternative permit applicants to ensure you complete the appropriate courses to meet this requirement.

Contact Dr. Thang S. Tran at tstran@unomaha.edu for more details.

Important Documents (Read this first!):

• Starting Fall 2026 - Important Information about the UNO School Counseling Program
  
  
• Previous semesters - Important Information about the UNO School Counseling Program
  
  

  Plans of Study

  • Starting Fall 2026 - Plan of Study | Course Rotation
    

  • Plan of Study - Blank

  • Plan of Study - Part-Time Fall Start

  • Plan of Study - Part-Time Spring Start

  • Plan of Study - Part-Time Summer Start

  • Plan of Study - Alternative Part-Time Fall Start

  • Plan of Study - Alternative Part-Time Spring Start

  • Plan of Study - Alternative Part-Time Summer Start

  • Plan of Study - Full-Time Fall Start

  • Plan of Study - Full-Time Spring Start

  • Plan of Study - Full-Time Summer Start

  • Plan of Study - Alternative Full-Time Fall Start

  • Plan of Study - Alternative Full-Time Spring Start

  • Plan of Study - Alternative Full-Time Summer Start
    
    

• TED Approved Courses for Teaching Program Alternative Permit

Practicum & Internship Documents

• • SC Practicum Placement Application
  • SC Practicum Site Supervisor Guide
  • SC Internship Site Supervisor Guide
  • What is Supervision?

Professional Licensure/Certification

• School Counseling Licensure/Certification
• School Counseling Licensure/Certification Endorsements

Comprehensive/Exit Exam: School Counseling

Students in the SC concentration will complete a written comprehensive exam during the COUN 8330 Fall semester. The exam will require two essay questions covering the ASCA Model components and strategies for implementing a school counseling program, along with the personal and professional philosophy of SC.

The essay exam requires candidates to demonstrate mastery of School Counseling standards throughout the ASCA National Model components. Questions will be scored by a team of faculty and part-time instructors with specialties in school counseling.

When graded, the department chair will notify the student via electronic mail stating the student’s pass/failure/rewrite status.

• Students who fail one question on their written comps will be required to re-write this question during the same semester.
• Students who fail more than one question on their written comps will be required to do a complete rewrite in order to graduate.
• Students who fail a portion of the exam are required to rewrite failed question(s) during the same semester.

School Counseling students will also complete an electronic portfolio capstone project during the COUN 8460 Spring semester. This is an ongoing project with final submission for approval by March 15 during the semester you are enrolled in Advanced Internship.

NOTE: The Praxis II Professional School Counselor Content Area is a state of Nebraska requirement for adding the school counseling endorsement to the teaching certificate. The Praxis II is not a requirement for completion of the UNO Counseling Degree. You should check with the Department of Education in states outside of Nebraska if you are considering relocating out of state for employment.

Professional Organizations

American Counseling Association (ACA)

Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)

American School Counseling Association (ASCA)

Nebraska Counseling Association (NCA)

Nebraska School Counselor Association

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*UNO’s Counseling Department has determined to voluntarily discontinue its Council for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation for the School Counseling Concentration. CACREP accreditation is not required in the state of Nebraska to practice School Counseling.