The Education Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) in Counseling program is designed to provide knowledge and theory beyond the master's degree level and below the doctorate degree. The Ed.S. in Counseling provides those with a master’s degree the additional coursework needed for a Nebraska Department of Education endorsement (for example, School Counselor or School Psychologist) or the Nebraska Mental Health Practitioner License (LMHP) requirements. 

Career Opportunities

Transition to another profession by obtaining the additional coursework needed for a Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) endorsement or the Nebraska Mental Health Practitioner License (LMHP) requirements.

SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST

SCHOOL COUNSELOR

MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER

CLINIC SUPERVISOR

CLINIC ADMINISTRATOR

Benefits of a Master's Degree

A graduate degree helps you advance your career by qualifying for higher positions with additional leadership opportunities. The median salary for those with master’s degrees is 16% higher than for those with an undergraduate degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Admission Requirements

The Educaton Specialist (Ed.S) degree in Counseling is designed to help students with a master's degree obtain the necessary coursework and requirements for an additional endorsement or speciality area (e.g., a LMHP who wants to become a School Counselor or a Higher Education Student Affairs professional who wants to become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor, etc.).  Those planning to obtain full admission to the Education Specialist Degree in Counseling should apply the semester prior to their enrollment by completing the following steps:

1. Complete the UNK Department of Graduate Studies online application. All materials listed below are uploaded with the online application:
   1. $45 non-refundable application fee.
   2. Academic history-official transcripts of all previous academic work.  If your GPA falls below the UNK Graduate Studies minimum expectation of 2.75, please upload a Low GPA Statement with explanation for your past academic performance, how you be successful academically at the graduate level (minimum 3.0 GPA), and why you should be admitted as an exception to the GPA requirement.
   3. Resume with requested information (listed in the application).
   4. "Motivation for obtaining the Educational Specialist Degree in Counseling" essay.
   5. Three electronic professional references.  Forms are automatically sent to recommenders when application is submitted.
2. When all materials have been received, the Office of Graduate Studies will conduct an initial evaluation. Applicants meeting admission requirements for graduate study will be forwarded to the Department for consideration and recommendation.
3. Applicants must participate in the CSP Department admission interview/intake process which occurs each semester. When the application is complete, the CSP Department Office Associate will send the applicant a confirmation of this meeting via electronic mail to the preferred email address indicated on the application. Applicants to the Student Affairs program do not participate in the interview/intake process.
4. Department recommendations for admissions are submitted to the Dean of Graduate Studies.
5. Letters with admission decisions (i.e. an unconditional/full status, conditional/provisional status, or denial) are mailed from the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Tuition fee-2 years$26,000

Total fee-2 years$52,000