Educational Specialist in Education with a Concentration in Counselor Education

Program Highlights

100% Online Coursework: Complete all coursework remotely with access to lectures, assignments, and interactive learning resources.
Flexible Pace: Choose full-time or part-time enrollment to fit your schedule and professional commitments.

No GRE Required: Apply with confidence—no GRE scores are required for admission.
Affordable Tuition: All online students pay in-state tuition, regardless of residency.
Degree Path Options: Select a thesis or non-thesis option based on your career goals and professional interests.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Ed.S. in Counselor Education program are prepared for advanced leadership and counseling roles that support student success across K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and professional settings. Career paths may include:

School Counselor (P-12)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Clinical Supervisor

College of University Counselor
Educational Consultant
Student Services or Support Services Coordinator

This advanced online degree equips professionals with the expertise needed to expand their impact in counseling, assessment, and student support services.

*Licensure Disclosure Completion of this program may help prepare students for professional counseling licensure or certification. Licensure requirements vary by state, and students are encouraged to review state-specific regulations before applying.

Degree Requirements

Program Structure – 100% Online Educational Specialist Degree

Mississippi State University’s online Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Counselor Education is a 30-credit (thesis and non-thesis options), post-master’s degree that prepares professionals for advanced counseling, assessment, and leadership roles in educational settings.

Fully online and flexible
No GRE required
31 total credit hours

Course Number	Course	Hours
EPY 6214	Educational and Psychological Statistics Modified Course (or equivalent statistics course)	4
COE 8000	Thesis Research/ Thesis in Counselor Education & Educational Psychology	6
-	Other graduate-level coursework required by concentration area	21
Total Hours		31

Course Number	Course	Hours
EPY 6214	Educational and Psychological Statistics Modified Course (or equivalent statistics course)	4
COE 7000	Directed Individual Study in Counselor Education & Educational Psychology	6
-	Other graduate-level coursework required by concentration area	21
Total Hours		31

Students who earned a master’s degree from a non-CACREP–accredited counseling program may be required to complete additional coursework aligned with CACREP standards. These courses may be incorporated into the Ed.S. program of study. Applicants whose prior academic background is not counseling-related may be required to complete coursework equivalent to a master’s degree in counseling as part of the Educational Specialist program.

Transfer Credit

Transcript review available after admission

Commonly Asked Questions

Will the diploma say it was earned online?

No, diplomas from Mississippi State University do not show whether the requirements were met through online or in-person courses

Is This Program Right for You?

This program may be a good fit if you:

Hold a master’s degree in counseling or a related field
Work as a P–12 educator, counselor, or student support professional
Want to pursue advanced leadership or clinical counseling roles
Need a flexible, fully online degree that fits a working schedule
Are seeking preparation for licensure or supervisory positions

What if I am an unclassified student?

Only NINE (9) hours of course work taken as an "Unclassified Student" can be applied toward a degree program. All Unclassified students should submit a classified application once they have reached the maximum of nine hours. Full admission into the Educational Specialist in Education with a concentration in Counselor Education online program will be based upon successful completion of all classified admissions requirements.

What Our People Say

“Mississippi State University’s online program has been an incredibly rewarding experience, both for my family and for my career. MS State Online has given me the flexibility to balance my job and studies without having to pause my work in education.”

Koby Harris,

Admissions– Online Ed.S. Counselor Education

Ready to advance your career with a flexible, fully online Educational Specialist degree in Counselor Education? Follow the steps below to apply.

Attention International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the results of either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Prospective students should contact ETS (TOEFL) or IELTS for testing information. The Graduate School maintains a list of countries exempt from English language requirements. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for specific English Language test score requirements.

TOEFL Essentials	TOEFL iBT	IELTS	Admission Eligibility	Outcome
9 and above	79 and above	6.5 and above	Eligible for admission for any term and a graduate assistantship	Considered proficient in English. Applicant is not required to enroll in an ESL course unless his/her academic program requires a higher test score.
8.0-8.5	69-78	6.0-6.4	Eligible for admission for Fall, Spring, or Summer and a graduate assistantship.	Scores indicate a need for assistance in English writing, research, and editing skills. Applicant must enroll in EAP 5323 Academic Research and Writing. Student may enroll in up to 6 credit hours in his/her graduate program.
7.0-7.5	61-68	5.5-5.9	Eligible for admission for the Fall & Spring terms only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met.	Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5120, a 9-hour intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student must complete this course prior to registering for courses in his/her graduate program. The student must then enroll in EAP 5323.
6.0-6.5	54-60	4.6-5.4	Eligible for admission for the Fall term only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met.	Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5110, an intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student cannot enroll in courses in his/her program until ESL 5110 and ESL 5120 have been successfully completed. The student must then complete ESL 5120 before proceeding to enroll in EAP 5323.
5.5 and below	53 and below	4.5 and below	Not eligible for admission to the Graduate School.	Applicant can enroll in the English Language Institute on a non-credit basis after which he/she can retake the English-language test in preparation for submitting another application to graduate study at MSU.

Contact Us

Samantha Clardy

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

Assistance with Admissions Process

General Program Questions

s.clardy@msstate.edu

662-325-9092

Anusha Rijal

Retention & Engagement Coach

Current Student Inquires

Academic & Support Services Assistance

a.rijal@msstate.edu

662-325-8876

Dr. Melissa Windham

Division of Education

Assistant Clinical Professor of Counselor Education

Graduate Coordinator

melissa.windham@msstate.edu

601-484-0181