Educational, School and Counseling Psychology

Admission Criteria

Application Inquiries

• Click here to request information from the ESCP program

Application Deadlines

Preferred GRE Scores (Required for SMEE Applicants Only)

Minimum Language Requirements

Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Educational, School and Counseling Psychology Program

• 3 letters of recommendation via the online application
• Personal statement and vitae via online application per departmental requirements
• Educational Psychology program applicants only: Scholarly paper that you have written as a substitute for the GRE.  This paper is widely defined but should showcase your ability to analyze a topic in depth and/or showcase your knowledge in terms of research methods.
• GRE scores (required for Statistics, Measurement, & Evaluation in Education applicants only)
• TOEFL or IELTS scores

Admission Criteria

Application Inquiries

• Click here to request information from the ESCP program

Application Deadlines

On Campus Master’s & Educational Specialist Programs

Online Master’s & Educational Specialist Programs

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum GPA: 3.0
• If an applicant is admitted but does not hold a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline or does not have relevant background course work, the applicant must complete prerequisite courses as specified by the faculty of the department.
• GRE scores are required for Statistics, Measurement, & Evaluation in Education applicants only

Preferred GRE Scores

Minimum Language Requirements

Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Educational, School and Counseling Psychology Program (Campus)

• 3 letters of recommendation via the online application
• Personal statement and vitae via online application per departmental requirements
• Resume/CV
• Educational Psychology program applicants only: Scholarly paper that you have written as a substitute for the GRE.  This paper is widely defined but should showcase your ability to analyze a topic in depth and/or showcase your knowledge in terms of research methods
• GRE scores (required for Statistics, Measurement, & Evaluation in Education applicants only)
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (International only)

For the Educational, School and Counseling Psychology Program (Online)

Application requirements and deadlines vary depending on emphasis areas. Please check out links below to view detailed information on each program’s application requirements and deadlines.

• Mental Health Practices in Schools (M.Ed.)
• Mental Health Practices in Schools (EdSp)
• Positive Coaching & Athletic Leadership (M.Ed.)
• Student Learning and Well-being (M.Ed.)
• School Counseling (M.Ed.)

Admission Criteria

Application Inquiries

• Click here to request information from the ESCP program

Application Deadlines

On Campus Master’s & Educational Specialist Programs

Online Master’s & Educational Specialist Programs

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum GPA: 3.0
• If an applicant is admitted but does not hold a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline or does not have relevant background course work, the applicant must complete prerequisite courses as specified by the faculty of the department.
• GRE scores are required for Statistics, Measurement, & Evaluation in Education applicants only

Preferred GRE Scores

Minimum Language Requirements

Click here to view the minimum English language proficiency test scores

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Educational, School and Counseling Psychology Program (Campus)

• 3 letters of recommendation via the online application
• Personal statement and vitae via online application per departmental requirements
• Resume/CV
• Educational Psychology program applicants only: Scholarly paper that you have written as a substitute for the GRE.  This paper is widely defined but should showcase your ability to analyze a topic in depth and/or showcase your knowledge in terms of research methods
• GRE scores (required for Statistics, Measurement, & Evaluation in Education applicants only)
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (International only)

For the Educational, School and Counseling Psychology Program (Online)

Application requirements and deadlines vary depending on emphasis areas. Please check out links below to view detailed information on each program’s application requirements and deadlines.

• Mental Health Practices in Schools (M.Ed.)
• Mental Health Practices in Schools (EdSp)
• Positive Coaching & Athletic Leadership (M.Ed.)
• Student Learning and Well-being (M.Ed.)
• School Counseling (M.Ed.)

Officially approved as:

Stand Alone:  Yes

Total Credit Hours:  15

Certificate description:

The online Positive Coaching program is intended for all athletic coaches and sports coordinators who have completed a bachelor’s degree program, and now wish to obtain a graduate certificate. The program is well-suited for athletic coaches at all levels of sport participation, as well as any individuals in educational or other settings, who provide instructional, leadership or counseling services to students or to others.

Certificate web site:
https://online.missouri.edu/degrees-programs/mu/education/positive-coaching-and-athletic-leadership/grad-cert

Admission Criteria

Application Deadlines

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Graduate Certificate Program

• 1 letter of recommendation: In the online application, you will need to supply the name and contact details of a former instructor or professor whose course you completed and who will provide your academic reference. Their letter should focus on your academic performance and potential for success in graduate academic programs. Applications without at least one letter from a former instructor or professor of the applicant will not be reviewed.
• Departmental application (built into the Graduate School online application)

Officially approved as:

Stand Alone:  Yes

Total Credit Hours:  15

Certificate description: Positive Psychology is a specific focus area within the field of psychology that explores the positive, creative, and fulfilling aspects of human behavior. It is the scientific study of well-being: how humans flourish and in turn, unlock their potential. Through a purposeful sequence of courses, students will examine positive emotions, engagement, relationships, virtues and strengths, meaning, purpose, and accomplishment. Positive Psychology theories and practices are often applied to individual lived experiences, but coursework will also focus Positive Psychology’s “value-add” to organizations, governments, businesses, and education. The Graduate Certificate of Positive Psychology aims to articulate theory, apply research, and introduce intervention strategies students will use to enhance individual, interpersonal (social), community, institutional, and cultural well-being.

• Examine theoretical cornerstones, concepts, research, and application of positive psychology in the modern era.
• Increase awareness of human strengths and collective contributors to well-being leading to personal, social, academic, and professional development.
• Learn methods to facilitate increases in health and well-being within five measures of flourishing: positive emotionality, engagement in one’s strengths and experiences, relationship growth and development, meaning and purpose, and achievement.
• Understand how to effectively apply positive psychology interventions that promote thriving individuals, communities and organizations.
• Actively engage in directed personal reflections, efforts to expand awareness, and developing strategies to increase well-being measures.

Certificate web site:
https://online.missouri.edu/degrees-programs/mu/education/positive-psychology/grad-cert

Admission Criteria

Application Deadlines

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Graduate Certificate Program

• 2 letters of recommendation: should attest to your professional competence, academic preparation and potential for graduate work.
• Personal statement
• Resume/CV
• Departmental application (built into the Graduate School online application)

*Program not accepting applications at this time.

Officially approved as:

Stand Alone:  Yes  

Total Credit Hours:  12

Certificate description: This certificate will provide the requisite awareness, knowledge and skill to effectively work with students and families from diverse cultural backgrounds and is ideal for teachers, counselors and administrators in P-12 school settings. By creating this online certificate, Mizzou is working to increase the number of qualified teachers and other school personnel who can serve diverse populations and prepare all students to function more effectively in society. The 15-hour certificate can be completed entirely online, but some students may choose electives that are offered on campus in Columbia, Mo.

Certificate web site:
https://online.missouri.edu/degrees-programs/mu/education/multicultural-education/grad-cert

Admission Criteria

Application Deadlines

Required Application Materials

For the Graduate School

• Completed Graduate School online application
• Unofficial Transcripts- As part of the application submission process, all applicants are required to upload unofficial copies of all post-secondary transcripts to the online application. Official transcripts are only required if accepted by the academic program.
• Official Results of English Proficiency Exams (International applicants only)

For the Graduate Certificate Program

• 2 letters of recommendation: should attest to your professional competence, academic preparation and potential for graduate work.
• Departmental application (built into the Graduate School online application)

Officially approved as:

Stand Alone: Yes

Total Credit Hours: 18

Certificate description:
The 18-hour Quantitative Research Certificate (QRC) is designed to prepare researchers and scholars to be users and critical consumers of quantitative research. Certificate holders are trained in various methods in order to conduct rigorous, scientific quantitative research. Students completing the QRC (depending on the chosen track) will be able to:

• Design effective experimental and quasi-experimental studies
• Manage and use large scale datasets
• Analyze various types of datasets (e.g., nested data, longitudinal data) with the appropriate modeling techniques
• Apply advanced statistical methods (e.g., structural equation modeling, multilevel modeling) in their own research
• Critically review studies that make use of a diverse set of statistical methods
• Conduct measurement related studies using techniques such as factor analysis or item response theory

Certificate web site:
https://education.missouri.edu/degrees-programs/certificates-minors/quantitative-research/

Application Process

The QRC is a stand-alone graduate certificate program and is available to all current graduate students and non-degree seeking post-baccalaureate graduate students. See the Office of Graduate School Graduate Certificates for more information. To apply, see either the below process for current or prospective MU graduate students:

Current Graduate Students

For current MU graduate students, “good standing” in the current academic degree program is required and the following documents should be submitted to quantcertificate@missouri.edu.

• Two letters of recommendation (one of which should be a letter of support from the current degree advisor)
• CV/resume
• The QRC APPLICATION/Initial Plan of Study Form
• Unofficial academic transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work
• Upon acceptance, an Application for Graduate Change of Program, Degree, Emphasis, or Advisor must be submitted to the Graduate School with:
  • A new program/department should be added to current degree program
  • The new “Academic Program” should be Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology and the “Emphasis” area should be Quantitative Research Certificate

Prospective Graduate Students

Individuals not currently an MU graduate student will need to meet the minimum requirements of the Office of Graduate Studies and apply for the QRC by submitting the following documents using the MU Graduate School application.

• Two letters of recommendation
• CV/resume
• The QRC APPLICATION/Initial Plan of Study Form
• Unofficial academic transcripts of all previous undergraduat and graduate work
• Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
  • Tests taken within the last 5 years with a preferred quantitative score of 152
  • Institution code: 6875
• Non-native English speakers must score at least a 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL or 6.5 on the Academic IELTS. In addition, it is expected that applicants will achieve subsection minimums of no less than 17 on IBT, 52 on PBT or 6.0 on IELTS (subsections: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing)

Application Deadlines

As we enter the new millennium, the U.S. population is becoming more multiracial, multiethnic, and multilingual.  Some estimate that by the year 2020, racial and ethnic minorities will become the numerical majority.  This demographic shift has already occurred in specific contexts, such as K-12 schools in Los Angeles.  Applied psychologists and educators have begun to develop competency standards for professionals to provide culturally relevant and effective services to our ever-changing population.  In fact, multiculturalism has been identified as the fourth focus in counseling psychology.  The purpose of the graduate minor in multicultural psychology and education would be to (a) expose graduate students to the growing theoretical and empirical research completed in the fields of multicultural psychology and education, (b) help graduate students develop multicultural competencies in research and practice, and (c) provide graduate students with training necessary to meet the psychological and educational demands of diverse populations.

The requirements for the minor are listed below.

• A minimum of 12 credit hours
• 9 credit hours must be taken as a graduate student at the University of Missouri
• No more than 6 credit hours should be listed in the masters or doctoral planner. That is, a maximum of 6 hours can overlap between the courses applied to the Minor in Multicultural Psychology and the courses applied toward a masters or doctoral degree.
• A minimum of 9 credit hours must be 8000 or above (graduate level)
• 6 credit hours must be taken within the core area with a foci on racial and ethnic minorities  (see listing below)
• 3 credit hours must be taken in the auxiliary area (see listing below)
• 3 credit hours must be taken in the skills area (see listing below)

Core Courses (must complete at least 6 graduate-level credit hours from the following courses with a main emphasis on race/ethnicity in psychology and/or education.)

• ESCP 9000 Multicultural Issues in Counseling (3):  This course surveys the research and theories of counseling various racial/ethnic minority and gay, lesbian and bisexual populations in the U.S.  Special consideration is given to examining the intersection among race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and class on psychosocial adjustment.
• ESCP 8580 Social and Cultural Identity Development (3): This course is designed to introduce students to (a) the dominant social and cultural identity theories and paradigms and (b) how these theories have been operationalized and measured.
• ESCP 8590 Multicultural Counseling Competencies (3):  This course reviews theory, research, assessment, and clinical practice in multicultural counseling.
• We encourage students to explore other courses pertaining to race/ethnicity issues in other departments. Any Racial/Ethnic-focused graduate level courses offered outside of the ESCP department should be approved by one of the Directors of the Center.

Auxiliary Courses (must complete 3 credit hours from the following courses emphasizing a wide range of diversity and social change issues):

• ESCP 8585 Gender Issues in Counseling and Education (3): This course covers topics including conceptions of gender roles, measurement of gender-related constructs, gender role socialization process, high incidence of gender-related problems, and psycho-educational and counseling interventions.
• ESCP 8990 Career Development Theory for Women (3):  This course considers the relevance of theories of career development for women, and their application to the counseling of women.  Supervised clinical experience in the application of theories to counseling high school age women provided.
• ESCP 8510 Medical and Psychological Aspects of Disability (3). Presentation of medical aspects of major disabilities and their effects upon social, vocational, personal, and economic adjustment. Study of basic restoration and accommodating services.
• ESCP 8540 Theory and Practice in Feminist Therapy 3).Theory, research, practice standards and current debates within feminist therapy. Includes both examination of topical areas in a seminar format and live observation of feminist therapy.
• We encourage students to explore other courses pertaining to diversity issues and inequality in social system in other departments. Pre-approval from the Directors of the Center is needed.

Skill Courses (must complete 3 credit hours from one of the options below)

I. Research Skills:  successful completion of at least 3 hours of A450/A490 (or departmental equivalent) for research hours on an independent, substantive research project such as a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.  The scope and quality of the research project is expected to be of such a caliber that it could be submitted to a refereed journal in the student’s discipline.  The research project must be on a multicultural-related topic (i.e., issues related to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and international concerns).

Successful completion of this requirement will consist of:

• Approval of the proposed project can be obtained in one of two ways:  (1) approval of the project from a director of the Center for Multicultural Research, Training, and Consultation, or (2) have an ESCP faculty affiliated with the Center on the thesis/research/dissertation committee.

• One committee member must have expertise in multicultural issues.

• A passing grade in the course.

• Approval of the completed project by a director of the Center, or having an ESCP faculty affiliated with the Center on the thesis/research/dissertation committee,

OR

II. Applied Multicultural Skills:  The person must demonstrate competencies in working with diverse populations (with an emphasis on racial and ethnic minority populations).  This experience will result in 3 hours of graduate credit that can be obtained in the two ways listed below.

Successful completion of this requirement will consist one of the following:

• Completion of 3 credit hours of applied work.  This can be obtained in one of three ways:  (1) successful completion (with a passing grade) of ESCP 8943 (Applied Multicultural Interventions); (2) successful completion (with a passing grade) of a multiculturally-designated applied course (e.g., counseling practica classes, teaching practica classes, group counseling practica classes:  a list of approved courses can be obtained at the Center); or (3) applied experience via community outreach programs, work placements in agencies, or extended volunteer experiences in community agencies.  For the third option, the student must receive direct, individual supervision for minimum of 15 hours from an advanced-level person (MA degree or higher) at the community/work site.  The supervisor must have expertise in the area of multicultural psychology or education.  The student must document this experience by completing the Multicultural Applied Experience and Supervision Form (obtained from the Center for Multicultural Research, Training, and Consultation).  The form requires a supervisor signature, description of the work experience and general evaluation of the student’s performance. (After the student completes this requirement and the Multicultural Competency Portfolio described below, he or she will receive 3 credits of 8085: Problem).

• Approval by a Center director of a Multicultural Competency Portfolio completed by the student to demonstrate awareness, knowledge and skill competencies in the area.

• Consultation: Successful completion of any consultation courses in organization or systemic changes including applied consultation activities. Pre-approval from one of the Co-directors of the Center is needed.