EdS in School Counseling + Mental Health Counseling

[BeautifulSoul87]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum. I am currently a teacher and I have a Master's in public health. I considered pursuing a Doctorate degree in public health or health education but I've been considering a career in counseling. I am interested in School counseling but I would like to have the option to also be a Licensed Professional Counselor. I would like to be able to work in a variety of locations and I would also one day like to work in private practice. I am considering a school where I can get a Specialist in Education degree in School Counseling (which is about 45 credit hours) and I have the option to take additional courses in the Mental Health counseling program in order to qualify for a LPC for my state (60 hours total). Would this be a good idea? Any suggestions/advice? Thank you!!

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[aftermidnight]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum. I am currently a teacher and I have a Master's in public health. I considered pursuing a Doctorate degree in public health or health education but I've been considering a career in counseling. I am interested in School counseling but I would like to have the option to also be a Licensed Professional Counselor. I would like to be able to work in a variety of locations and I would also one day like to work in private practice. I am considering a school where I can get a Specialist in Education degree in School Counseling (which is about 45 credit hours) and I have the option to take additional courses in the Mental Health counseling program in order to qualify for a LPC for my state (60 hours total). Would this be a good idea? Any suggestions/advice? Thank you!!

This seems very reasonable. Of course the counseling path and the doctorate of public health path would be taking you down very different paths. But if you're asking whether your counseling plan makes sense from a logistical perspective, yes. Wha you described would allow for you to work as a mental health professional in a variety of settings, including schools.

 

[MAClinician]

Some of this will also depend on state licensure laws for the state(s) you want to practice in. For example in MA in order to get the LMHC license you now need a 60 credit degree program if you enroll after 7/1/17. So the 45 credit plus extra classes to get to 60 option would no longer qualify (in the past it did). If you never plan to move out of the state you're in then maybe your plan will work fine for you. Just something to consider. Also I thought the Ed.S. degree came AFTER the masters degree?

 

[aftermidnight]

Some of this will also depend on state licensure laws for the state(s) you want to practice in. For example in MA in order to get the LMHC license you now need a 60 credit degree program if you enroll after 7/1/17. So the 45 credit plus extra classes to get to 60 option would no longer qualify (in the past it did). If you never plan to move out of the state you're in then maybe your plan will work fine for you. Just something to consider. Also I thought the Ed.S. degree came AFTER the masters degree?

Good catch on the hours. I didn't know that. You're right that the EdS comes after the masters. I didn't catch that either. I think he is talking about getting a masters in school counseling which allows one to be licensed as a school counselor (at least in my state) without actually getting a separate EdS. But along the way, he would do additional credits to new qualification for a mental health counselor as well. But from what you pointed out, that could be a problem hours wise now, if I understand you.

 

[Anne02]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum. I am currently a teacher and I have a Master's in public health. I considered pursuing a Doctorate degree in public health or health education but I've been considering a career in counseling. I am interested in School counseling but I would like to have the option to also be a Licensed Professional Counselor. I would like to be able to work in a variety of locations and I would also one day like to work in private practice. I am considering a school where I can get a Specialist in Education degree in School Counseling (which is about 45 credit hours) and I have the option to take additional courses in the Mental Health counseling program in order to qualify for a LPC for my state (60 hours total). Would this be a good idea? Any suggestions/advice? Thank you!!

I would contact your state boards directly to find out exactly what you'll need to take in order to get licensed. If you are a K-12 teacher who is already licensed (for teaching) then it may be an option for you to earn your Ed Spec in mental health counseling and get licensed (in therapy) and use that in a school setting without taking school Counseling content. Every state is different and nuanced. I'm currently a school Counselor working on my Ed Spec in mental health so I can get my LPC. My Master's was in school Counseling (60 hour CACREP accredited) so I already passed the NCE (National Counselor Exam) and have my NCC (National Certified Counselor). These are not the same as my state's LPC requirements, although passing the NCE is one of them. Another idea would be to consider a doctorate in Counseling Psychology or Clinical Psychology. Good luck!