The Master of Science degree in school counseling prepares students that want to work as licensed school counselors. Rather than completing a thesis or research project, degree candidates normally complete so many hours of clinical experience by working in a school counseling office or guidance office. The clinical hours worked normally apply towards required degree credits and can be counted towards counseling licensure hour requirements after graduation. Upon graduation and licensure, students are prepared to counsel youth on academic and career interests.
While the Master of Science degree is suited for students who want to practice as school counselors, the Master of Arts degree in school counseling is ideal for students who want to research or teach in the school counseling field. A Master of Arts degree may be used to apply for licensure as a school counselor, but graduates often opt to earn a doctorate degree in the field. Master of Arts degree programs normally require candidates complete a thesis or research project. Students that go on to earn a doctoral degree typically build upon the thesis with a dissertation of the same or similar topic of study.
Generally, Master of Science programs admit students with a bachelor's degree in psychology, education, or related field. Classes in a Master of Science degree program include general psychology, education, counseling, mental illness, child development, and other related fields of study. Programs emphasize practice rather than theory.
Master of Arts degree programs in school counseling admit students with bachelor degrees in a variety of fields, including education, psychology, English, history and other science, humanities, and liberal arts disciplines. The Master of Arts degree in school counseling is sometimes pursued by professionals in medicine or social work who want to make a career change to teach or research. Classes in the Master of Arts program favor theory over practice.