EdS in School Counseling with Pupil Personnel Services Credential

EdS in School Counseling Program Online

This educational specialist (EdS) credential program prepares you to provide counseling support for K–12 students who need to overcome personal and academic challenges or plan for life after high school. The educational specialist degree has courses in group counseling and theories, adolescent behavior, methodology, evaluation, and professional counseling to prepare you to give every student a chance to prosper.

The educational psychology program has an emphasis in school-based mental health (SBMH). Hence, completing the EdS program qualifies you to handle clinical mental health counseling. It provides the training to build your skills and confidence to provide education-related mental health services and evaluations in a school setting. The counselor education program also prepares you for the PPS credential, which allows you to practice in California’s schools.

If you have a bachelor’s degree and want to be an important part of a school-based team, this type of educational psychology graduate study program will prepare you to support the academic and social emotional development of K-12 students such as through mental health counseling or career counseling.

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Program Highlights

CTC-Approved Curriculum

Our school counseling degree program designed for future school counselors is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), one of the highest standards in the country and the world.

Beyond a Master’s Degree

The program focuses on school counseling and educational leadership, providing an advanced education that exceeds a master’s degree.

All Bachelor’s Degrees Welcome

If you have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution, in any subject, you fulfill the admissions requirement to enter the EdS degree program.

Online Flexibility

You can earn your EdS and PPS credential online and learn how to work with individuals like K-12 students. This helps you gain the counseling skills and field experience you need to succeed among the qualified school counselors.

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Degree Information

An education specialist in school counseling with PPS credential is more advanced than a master’s degree but generally requires less coursework than a PhD or EdD. If you have a bachelor’s degree and want to make a difference in the lives of school children this counseling psychology degree program prepares you to make a positive change for individual students in the classroom.

The education specialist in school counseling degree with emphasis in school-based mental health (SBMH) is a 70-credit program and takes a minimum of three years to complete, over 13 terms. The online school counseling program integrates field experience to help fulfill the requirements for school counseling certification.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Educational Specialist (EdS) in School Counseling program prepares candidates for professional practice as school counselors in California. Through advanced coursework and supervised fieldwork experiences, candidates develop the knowledge, skills, and professional competencies needed to support students’ academic, college and career, and social-emotional development.

The program integrates counseling practice, mental health and crisis response, consultation and collaboration, advocacy and leadership, data-informed decision-making, and comprehensive school counseling program development. Coursework is designed to prepare candidates to meet requirements for the California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling while developing the advanced professional knowledge and skills associated with the EdS degree.

Graduates of the EdS in School Counseling program are prepared in the following professional competency areas:

• Advanced Professional Practice, Ethics, and Leadership: Apply advanced knowledge of the school counseling profession, ethical and legal standards, professional identity, leadership, advocacy, and educational policy to promote effective and equitable school counseling practice.
• Student Development, Diversity, and Equity: Apply knowledge of human development and individual differences to support students across diverse cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, ability, identity, and experiential backgrounds and advocate for equitable access to educational and mental health supports.
• Mental Health, Prevention, and Crisis Response: Apply evidence-informed approaches to prevention, early identification, intervention, crisis response, and referral for students experiencing social-emotional, behavioral, developmental, and mental health concerns.
• Academic, College/Career, and Social-Emotional Development: Design and implement developmentally appropriate individual, group, classroom, and schoolwide interventions that promote students’ academic success, college and career readiness, and social-emotional development.
• Data-Informed Practice and Accountability: Use multiple sources of school and student data to identify needs, examine disparities, establish measurable goals, monitor student outcomes, and evaluate the effectiveness of school counseling interventions and programs.
• Consultation and Interprofessional Collaboration: Demonstrate advanced consultation and collaboration skills with students, families, educators, administrators, mental health professionals, and community partners to address student needs and strengthen systems of support.
• School Systems, Leadership, and Program Development: Analyze educational systems, policies, school climate, and organizational practices and use leadership and advocacy strategies to develop, implement, and strengthen comprehensive school counseling programs.
• Family, School, and Community Partnerships: Develop culturally responsive partnerships with families, schools, and community organizations that increase student access, engagement, belonging, and support.
• Research and Program Evaluation: Critically evaluate research and apply research and program-evaluation methods to inform evidence-based school counseling practice, assess program effectiveness, and support continuous improvement.
• Technology and Emerging Professional Practice: Use technology, digital resources, data systems, and emerging tools ethically and effectively to enhance school counseling practice, communication, program delivery, and student support.

Links and Downloads

School Performance Fact Sheet

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this program for?

The Educational Specialist (EdS) in School Counseling is a graduate degree designed for individuals who want to prepare for professional practice as school counselors while developing advanced knowledge and skills in counseling, student support, leadership, advocacy, and school-based mental health.

The program combines academic preparation with supervised fieldwork experiences and prepares candidates to meet requirements for the California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling. Candidates develop competencies in supporting students’ academic, college and career, and social-emotional development; collaborating with families, educators, and community partners; responding to student mental health and crisis needs; using data to inform practice; and contributing to comprehensive school counseling programs.

The EdS may be a good fit for individuals entering the school counseling profession as well as professionals interested in developing advanced preparation for leadership, advocacy, program development, and systems-level work within educational settings.

What scholarship and financial aid options are available?

Private and public scholarships can help you meet the cost of your education, and Alliant offers institutional scholarships for many of our students. Learn more about these scholarship opportunities here. Additional financial aid is available for those who qualify in the form of loans, grants, federal work study, and military aid.

Does this program lead to a California School Counseling Credential?

Yes. The EdS in School Counseling program is designed to prepare candidates to meet the requirements for the California Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling. Candidates who successfully complete all required coursework, supervised fieldwork, and other credential requirements are eligible to be recommended for the PPS Credential in School Counseling.

The program is aligned with California credentialing requirements and prepares graduates for professional practice as school counselors in California schools.

When does the degree program start?

The program is an eight-week term program and is open for enrollment during each of those respective enrollment periods. Learn more with our eight-week term academic calendar.

How long does it take to complete the program?

The Educational Specialist (EdS) in Counseling with an emphasis in School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) is a 70-credit program designed to be completed in a minimum of three years across 13 terms. The program combines advanced coursework, research, and supervised fieldwork experiences to prepare candidates for professional practice in school settings.

As part of the program, candidates complete required practicum and internship experiences in school settings. Fieldwork is conducted in person during regular school-day hours, allowing candidates to engage directly with students, families, educators, and other school professionals.

During Clinical Practice, candidates also participate in 1.5 hours of weekly group supervision with their University professor. This supervision is an integral component of the fieldwork experience and provides opportunities for consultation, professional reflection, case discussion, skill development, and integration of coursework with school-based practice.

What is the modality of this program?

All coursework is delivered online, allowing candidates to access classes from anywhere in California. However, candidates should be prepared for significant in-person fieldwork commitments at K–12 school sites during regular school-day hours as part of the program’s practicum and internship requirements.

During Clinical Practice, candidates also participate in 1.5 hours of weekly group supervision with their University professor. Candidates should consider these fieldwork and supervision requirements when planning their work, personal, and academic schedules.