WEST PLAINS, Mo.– Officials with Missouri State University’s Extended Campus and the Department of Counseling, Leadership and Special Education in Springfield have announced the start-up of a new cohort for the Master of Science in Counseling degree beginning with the 2011 fall semester at the Missouri State University-West Plains campus.

Students admitted to the program will be able to earn the master’s degree in counseling in the areas of elementary and secondary education and can obtain the majority of their classes for the program on the West Plains campus, officials said.  Classes will be offered in the evenings, online, and through interactive television (ITV).

The 2011 fall cohort marks the third time the counseling program has been offered in West Plains, said Deanna Smith, coordinator of the academic outreach office in West Plains.  “The past success of the Master of Science in Counseling program offered at the Missouri State-West Plains campus definitely drives the need for future cohorts to be offered locally,” she said.  “Since the program began in spring 2007, local residents have had the ability to pursue this degree close to home and obtain jobs that meet the growing demand for area counselors, both in schools and private agencies.”

Those interested in participating in the new cohort will need to meet all admission requirements by April 29.  Contact Smith at 417-255-7931 or deannasmith@missouristate.edu for detailed information concerning these requirements.

For more information about the opportunities available locally through Missouri State University’s academic outreach office in West Plains, call Smith 417-255-7931 or visit the website, http://ec.missouristate.edu/offcampus/WestPlains/index.asp.