Officials with Missouri State University’s (MSU) Outreach Program and the Department of Counseling, Leadership and Special Education in Springfield will offer a new cohort for the Master of Science in Counseling degree in fall 2022 at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP), provided enough students apply.

Students must apply by Feb. 15, 2022, and be accepted into the program after an admissions interview on the Springfield campus for the cohort to begin, officials said. Because of the lengthy admissions process, area residents interested in the program should begin that process as soon as possible, officials said.

“The admission process involves completing either the GRE or MAT exam, as well as the graduate college application and the departmental application. The GRE exam may be taken on the MSU-WP campus in the Testing Center. Students also must provide references,” said Deanna Smith, regional outreach administrator of Missouri State Outreach’s program on the West Plains campus.

“It is very important to start the admission process early,” she stressed.

What you’ll receive

Students admitted to the program will earn the Master of Science in Counseling degree with an emphasis in the area of elementary or secondary education, which is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), officials said. Students will be able to complete the entire degree on the West Plains campus in Gohn Hall utilizing evening, face-to-face, blended/online and zoom classes, they added.

“The past success of the Master of Science in Counseling program offered at Missouri State-West Plains definitely proves the need for future cohorts to be offered locally,” Smith said. “Since courses for the counseling program begin 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.”

The need is great

“There is a shortage of counselors, and that need has grown during the pandemic, especially in rural areas,” said Dr. Marjorie C. Shavers, associate professor/department head of the MSU Counseling, Leadership and Special Education Department. “The MSU school counseling program is one of the best and will prepare counselors to address the growing social and emotional needs in the schools.

Area residents interested in participating in the new cohort will need to meet all admission requirements by Feb 15, 2022. Due to this early deadline, those interested should contact Smith as soon as possible at 417-255-7777 or DeannaSmith@MissouriState.edu for detailed information concerning these requirements in order to have enough time to meet the deadline.