Master of Education in School Counselling

The Master of Education (MEd) in School Counselling is a flexible, high quality program that aims to set future counsellors up for success with relevant knowledge and training. 

This unique program emphasizes research, working alliance skills, ethical considerations for working in educational settings with school children and youth, promoting health and wellness in schools, as well as career and life development. It weaves in context and content knowledge, perspectives, and practices committed to enacting responsibility and accountability towards decolonizing, Indigenizing, and incorporating principles of social equity, diversity, and inclusion advanced by ministries of education (e.g., Alberta’s Ministry of Advanced Education) and psychology governing bodies across the country (e.g., Canadian Psychological Association).

Who is this Program for? 

For teachers who are interested in becoming a school counsellor and/or better informing their teaching practice. Whether a teacher in Alberta or across Canada, this program will grow their knowledge and help further their career. This route is NOT suitable for individuals seeking to become registered psychologists.

Program Learning Outcomes

To facilitate learners' integrated, applied knowledge of two core aspects of comprehensive health education from Kindergarten to Grade 12: the promotion of health and wellbeing in schools, and career development. This knowledge is "integrated" in that the courses weave together content related to the health/wellbeing and career development aspects of comprehensive health education using the social justice framework of guidance. It is "applied" in the sense that students will learn about theory and research in these areas, while also practicing skills related to these topics.

Upon completion of this program students will be able to:

• Demonstrate general knowledge and understanding of theoretical concepts and practices in the field of school and career counselling.
• Develop a social justice lens that integrates diversity, equity, and inclusion and considers the impacts of imperialism and colonialism globally on Equity-Deserving people for school comprehensive health from grades K to 12.
• Consider decolonization and Indigenization of school counselling and career guidance practices and approaches that answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.
• Conceptualize ethical decision making to promote health and wellbeing in schools.
• Offer supportive approaches that account for the wellbeing of children, youth, and that of their families and communities. 

Experiential learning is learning by doing that bridges knowledge and experience through critical reflection. This program offers the following kinds of experiential learning opportunities:

• Applying professional practice skills related to ethical decision making and advocacy 
• Enhancing counseling skills that aid in problem-solving and interventions to encourage personal and professional growth 
• Fostering direct engagement with real-world counselling tasks and professional communication 
• Applying theoretical concepts and frameworks to real-world scenarios and problems related to mental health and counselling practice