State Licensure Requirements
Liberty meets education requirements.

School Counseling (48 Hours) – Missouri

The M.Ed. School Counseling 48-hour program (MECU) is closed to new enrollments, but previously enrolled students are still permitted to finish this program. The below information addresses state requirements measured against the 48-hour program. Degree Completion Plans (DCPs) beginning after July 1, 2023, will reflect the 60-hour School Counseling Program (SHCO). Students on DCPs prior to 2023-2024 whose state requirements are 60 credit hours can contact LUO Academic Advising to switch to the new 23-24 60-hour M.Ed. School Counseling DCP.

Missouri requires that applicants for this licensure have either

Option One
  • A master’s degree with a major emphasis in school counseling from a college or university meeting approval of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
  • Completion of a planned program of at least 42 semester hours of approved graduate credit in courses in school counseling with at least 12 semester hours focused upon school counseling (elementary certification) or secondary schools (secondary certification)
  • A three-semester hour internship (minimum of 300 clock hours), or
Option Two
  • A master’s degree in education, school counseling, counseling, counseling psychology or a closely related mental health discipline and additional graduate course work specific to school counseling
  • Complete additional graduate coursework specified to school counseling, as designated by the recommending institution
  • Possess a bachelor’s degree in education from a state-approved teacher preparation program or complete a curriculum in teaching methods and practices, classroom management and the psychology of the exceptional child, as specified by the recommending certification officer of a state-approved program
  • A three-semester hour internship (minimum of 300 clock hours)
  • Complete the online Non-Missouri Graduate application
  • Submit remaining items on the Non-Missouri Graduate Application Checklist in one packet to: Educator Certification, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102

For more information:

https://dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/certification/student-services