CLES Overview

With a strong background in human growth and development, as well as communication skills, counselors assist clients in developing cognitive, emotional and behavioral strengths.

Wichita State University's Master of Education in counseling is designed to prepare students to meet the requirements of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) for Licensed School Counselors and the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) for Licensed Professional Counselors. Upon completion of an MEd in counseling, students are able to provide counseling services in a wide range of settings, including PreK–12 schools, private practice settings, colleges/universities and community mental health agencies.

Learn more about the Master of Education (M.Ed) in Counseling

WSU’s innovative master's degree in educational leadership is designed using cohort groups. Students begin the program with a cohort who becomes a collaborative team for the next two years. The combination of graduate coursework and guided practical application provides students with valuable opportunities to learn through experience what it is to demonstrate excellence as a building level leader.  Students work with their mentors (usually their building principals) in assessing their strengths and identifying areas for growth as an administrator, and identifying strengths and potential for improvement in their schools. Throughout the program, students learn to capitalize on these strengths and address professional challenges with confidence.

Students who complete this program and pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment are eligible for Building Leadership endorsement from KSDE.

Learn more about the Master of Education (M.Ed) in Educational Leadership

This program is ideal for educators, therapists, social service providers, and other professionals who want to expand their expertise in behavior analysis or pursue national certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®).

Learn more about the Master of Education (M.Ed) in Applied Behavior Analysis

The master's in educational psychology (MEd) has wide applicability. This degree can be obtained in its generalized track or in the form of a customizable specialization. The customizable specialization allows students to collaborate with their academic advisor to determine electives that meet the student's needs and interests with emphasis on specific skills and knowledge.

The following customizable specializations are among the options available:

• Learning and Memory;
• Behavioral Management and Motivation;
• Diversity and Advocacy;
• Program Evaluation;
• Professional Development;
• Institutional and Industrial Consultation;
• Social Psychology and Leadership Skills;
• School Psychology Foundations - for those who wish to pursue a career in School Psychology; and
• Doctoral Foundations - prepares students to move on to a doctoral program.

Learn more about the Master of Education (M.Ed) in Educational Psychology

This program leads to the Specialist in Education (EdS) degree in school psychology. School psychologists collaborate with educators and families to help ensure the academic, social, behavioral and emotional progress of children and youth in schools.

As school practitioners, school psychologists share their consultation, assessment, intervention and research expertise with youth, families and educators to promote healthy cognitive, social and emotional development.

The School Psychology Educational Specialist in Education (EdS) consists of 60 graduate hours if entering after obtaining an undergraduate degree or 39 graduate hours if entering with an earned master’s in a related area.

Learn more about the Specialist in Education (Ed.S) degree in School Psychology - Postbaccalaureate

This program leads to the Specialist in Education (EdS) degree in school psychology. School psychologists collaborate with educators and families to help ensure the academic, social, behavioral and emotional progress of children and youth in schools.

As school practitioners, school psychologists share their consultation, assessment, intervention and research expertise with youth, families and educators to promote healthy cognitive, social and emotional development.

The school psychology Educational Specialist in Education (EdS) consists of 60 graduate hours if entering after obtaining an undergraduate degree or 39 graduate hours if entering with an earned master’s in a related area.

Learn more about the Specialist in Education (Ed.S) degree in School Psychology - Postmaster's

The Doctor of Education in educational leadership is an innovative program premised on the belief that theory and practice must be combined in a hands-on learning environment that focuses on learning by doing. This degree program is intended for practicing professionals in K-12, higher education, and other educational organizations who wish to further develop and enhance their leadership capacity. Rather than the typical lecture classroom, seminars are held in a setting where faculty and students meet as equals and share ideas and presentations.

Learn more about the Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership

The Doctor of Philosphy in Education and Behavioral Studies offers specialized tracks in Educational Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counselor Education and Supervision. Students gain hands-on experience through research, teaching, and supervised internships while benefiting from flexible electives, dedicated faculty mentorship, and strong research support. 

Learn more about the Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Behavioral Studies 

The Educational Leadership program in the department of counseling, educational leadership, educational and school psychology offers the Building-Level Leadership Graduate Certificate program. Its goal is to provide a path for students who currently have a master's degree in an education-related field (e.g. curriculum and instruction, school counseling, etc.) and are currently employed in preK–12 education to be recommended for building licensure.

Learn more about the certificate in Building Level Leadership Licensure

The counseling program in the department of counseling, educational leadership, educational and school psychology offers a postmaster’s certificate program in child/play therapy. The certificate program curriculum is designed to meet training standards for play therapists established by the Association of Play Therapy. 

Learn more about the certificate in Child/ Play Therapy

The superintendency/district leadership graduate certificate program provides an opportunity for potential candidates who currently hold a Kansas professional building leadership license to participate in advanced graduate training that leads to positions as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, or special education director, as well as other district-level positions required by school districts. The program allows enrolled candidates to complete the coursework online or in the traditional face-to-face format.

This program is not cohort-based and provides great flexibility in time and with instructional options. It can be completed in one year or over a longer period. Although most candidates begin their program in June; candidates may begin their classes, online or in person, at any time throughout the year (June, August, October, January, March). However, Graduate School admissions deadlines must still be met.

Learn more about the certificate in District Leadership Licensure

The College of Applied Studies, in conjunction with the College of Engineering, offers the graduate certificate in teaching in higher education. The graduate certificate is designed to:

1. Provide graduate students with knowledge of contemporary learning theories that can be applied to university-level instruction;
2. Provide graduate students with knowledge and skills in classroom testing and program evaluation;
3. Provide graduate students with knowledge of pedagogical skills that can be applied to university-level instruction;
4. Provide graduate students with the skills to apply knowledge of learning theory, pedagogical theory and measurement theory in an authentic university setting.

This certificate program provides joint mentorship from College of Applied Studies and College of Engineering faculty members. Students who plan to apply for university teaching positions after graduation need to be competitive in a market that demands good teaching as well as good research. The teaching in higher education certificate will give WSU graduates a competitive edge.

Learn more about the certificate in Teaching in Higher Education

The School Counselor to CMHC graduate certificate program provides students in the 48-credit hour school counseling track and school counseling practitioners the opportunity to obtain the courses needed to meet the academic requirements of the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license in Kansas. The certificate provides the course work for students who are attending the 48-hour school counseling degree track, WSU alumni who have graduated from the degree track and wish to return to WSU for the LPC educational requirements, or other school counselors who wish to pursue LPC coursework.  LPC licensure will have the potential to provide additional career opportunities and promotions to the students who hold the certificate. Students with degrees less than 48 hours may be required to take additional courses beyond this certificate to meet the 60 credit hours required for LPC licensure by the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB). Students with a bachelor's degree who may have an interest in the counseling profession or practicing mental health professionals who may want professional development and/or an additional credential are also eligible for admission into this program.

Learn more about the certificate of School Counselor to Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Clinical Mental Health Counselor to School Counselor graduate certificate program provides students in the 60-credit hour clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) track, former students who have graduated from the CMHC degree track, and Licensed Professional Counselor practitioners the opportunity to obtain the courses needed to meet the academic requirements for school counselor license in Kansas. School counseling licensure will have the potential to provide additional career opportunities and promotion to the students who hold the certificate. Students with degrees less than 60 hours may be required to take additional courses beyond this certificate to meet the credit hours required for licensure by the Kansas State Department Education licensing requirements for school counselors in Kansas.

Learn more about the certificate of Clinical Mental Health Counselor to School Counselor

The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Certificate prepares a variety of school and community professionals with the knowledge and experience needed to better understand human behavior and to positively impact a wide spectrum of individuals with specific behavioral needs. The interdisciplinary nature of this certificate program exists in the space where students and instructors from a variety of educational backgrounds, experiences, fields, and/or disciplines come together to learn about the science of behavior analysis and then explore how to apply it ethically across multiple settings.

Learn more about the certificate of Applied Behavior Analysis 

This online program provides leaders with professional skills and knowledge based on core coaching competencies and guidelines to design effective mentoring and coaching programs. Depending on courses chosen by students pursuing this certificate, earning the certificate may permit a student to pursue a Master's Degree in the College of Applied Studies in the School of Teaching and Learning or CLES department. Students may be able to apply some certificate courses toward their master's degree. The certificate can also be added to existing graduate credentials.

Learn more about the certificate in Mentoring and Coaching

The Educational Leadership program in the department of Intervention Services & Leadership in Education offers the Building-Level Leadership Graduate Certificate program. Its goal is to provide a path for students who currently have a master's degree in an education-related field (e.g. curriculum and instruction, school counseling, etc.) and are currently employed in preK–12 education to be recommended for building licensure.

Learn more about the certificate in Building Level Leadership Licensure

The superintendency/district leadership graduate certificate program provides an opportunity for potential candidates who currently hold a Kansas professional building leadership license to participate in advanced graduate training that leads to positions as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, or special education director, as well as other district-level positions required by school districts. The program allows enrolled candidates to complete the coursework online or in the traditional face-to-face format.

This program is not cohort-based and provides great flexibility in time and with instructional options. It can be completed in one year or over a longer period. Although most candidates begin their program in June; candidates may begin their classes, online or in person, at any time throughout the year (June, August, October, January, March). However, Graduate School admissions deadlines must still be met.

Learn more about the certificate in District Leadership Licensure

Meets the licensure requirements of the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) for Professional School Counselors for licensed teachers.

Parallel Pathways – school counselor licensure for individuals without teaching licensure.

Learn more about the Master of Education in Counseling (School Counselor)

This program leads to the Specialist in Education (EdS) degree in school psychology. School psychologists collaborate with educators and families to help ensure the academic, social, behavioral and emotional progress of children and youth in schools.

As school practitioners, school psychologists share their consultation, assessment, intervention and research expertise with youth, families and educators to promote healthy cognitive, social and emotional development.

The school psychology Educational Specialist in Education (EdS) consists of 60 graduate hours if entering after obtaining an undergraduate degree or 39 graduate hours if entering with an earned master’s in a related area.

Learn more about the Specialist in Education (Ed.S) degree in School Psychology - Postmaster's