Mercy College

What you'll study

The programme combines core counselling theory and skills with school-specific content, practical placements and a research foundation. Typical modules include:

• Counselling Theories and Techniques — foundational models of individual counselling and skill development in rapport-building, assessment and intervention.
• Human Growth and Development — child and adolescent development across cognitive, social and emotional domains relevant to school settings.
• Group Counselling — theory and practice of group work, including classroom guidance and small therapeutic groups.
• Multicultural Counselling and Social Justice — cultural competence, equity, and strategies for supporting diverse student populations.
• School Counselling Program Design — development, implementation and evaluation of comprehensive K–12 counselling programmes, including data-driven decision-making.
• Career Development and College Advising — career theory, assessment tools and college/career planning practices for students.
• Assessment, Testing and Child Study — academic and socio-emotional assessment approaches used within schools, including referral and response-to-intervention frameworks.
• Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues — confidentiality, mandated reporting, school law, and ethical decision-making for school counsellors.
• Research Methods and Program Evaluation — basic statistics, research design and evaluation methods to assess counselling outcomes.
• Practicum and Internship — supervised field experience in school settings, including a practicum followed by an extended internship with direct client contact and faculty/school-site supervision.

Programme structure typically involves coursework plus required supervised hours in school placements. Coursework sequence and contact hours follow professional and state guidelines for preparation of school counsellors.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Typical admissions requirements include:

• A completed undergraduate degree with a competitive academic record; many successful applicants present a bachelor’s GPA at or above the programme’s published threshold.
• Transcripts from all post‑secondary institutions attended.
• A statement of purpose describing counselling interest, experience and career goals.
• Two or more letters of recommendation, preferably from academic or professional referees who can address suitability for graduate-level work and counselling practicum.
• Some programmes request a CV/resume and may consider relevant paid or volunteer experience with youth or in educational settings.
• All candidates must meet any additional institutional requirements such as background checks and health immunisations required for school placements.

International applicants should consult the admissions office for specific English language and credential evaluation requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to work as certified school counsellors in elementary, middle and high schools. Career pathways commonly include:

• K–12 School Counsellor or Guidance Counsellor — providing academic, social-emotional and career counselling to students.
• College and Career Advisor — helping students with post‑secondary planning, college applications and vocational exploration.
• Behavioural Support Specialist or Student Support Coordinator — developing interventions and supports for students with behavioural or emotional needs.
• School Programme Developer or Counselling Coordinator — leading school counselling programmes, coordinating services and using data to guide practice.
• Community or Youth Agency Counsellor — working for non-profit organisations that partner with schools to deliver mental health and career services.

The degree is intended to meet the educational preparation component for professional certification/licensure in many jurisdictions; candidates should verify the specific certification requirements of the state or country where they intend to practise.

Why study at Mercy College

Mercy College offers an applied, student-centred approach with faculty who have active experience in schools and mental health settings. The college’s location provides access to a wide network of local public and independent schools for supervised practicum and internship placements, enabling hands-on experience across diverse student populations.

Small cohort sizes and flexible scheduling options, including evening classes, support working professionals. The programme emphasises ethical practice, cultural responsiveness and data-informed counselling interventions, equipping graduates to meet contemporary challenges in K–12 education.