WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Officials with Missouri State University’s Outreach program and the Department of Counseling, Leadership and Special Education in Springfield have announced a new cohort for the Master of Science in Counseling degree will begin with the 2013 fall semester at Missouri State University-West Plains.

Students admitted to the program will be able to earn the master’s degree in counseling with an emphasis in the areas of elementary and secondary education.  They will be able to complete a majority of the classes required for the degree on the West Plains campus utilizing evening, online and interactive television (ITV) classes, officials said.

The 2013 fall cohort marks the fourth time the counseling program has been offered in West Plains, said local Outreach Coordinator Deanna Smith.  “The past success of the Master of Science in Counseling program offered at the Missouri State-West Plains campus definitely proves 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 in private agencies.”

Those interested in participating in the new cohort will need to meet all admission requirements by Feb. 1, 2013.  Contact Smith at 417-255-7931 or DeannaSmith@MissouriState.edu for detailed information concerning these requirements.

For more information about other advanced degree opportunities available locally through Missouri State Outreach, contact Smith at 417-255-7931 or at DeannaSmith@MissouriState.edu.  More information about degrees also can be found at http://outreach.missouristate.edu/westplains.asp.