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Counseling and Psychology in Education

Leave your mark on the world around you as mental health counselors, school psychologists, or human development and educational professionals.

Become an Advocate for All

At USD, our counseling programs empower you to compassionately serve others while developing the critical thinking and ethical expertise needed to lead in the field. With an emphasis on multicultural competence, you’ll learn to support clients through challenges such as grief, crises and relationship issues. Our accredited clinical mental health and school counseling programs provide personalized mentorship, ensuring you receive the individual attention needed to excel in your chosen path.

Position yourself at the forefront of education, mental health, ethics and research as a counseling and psychology in education graduate student at USD.

 

Degrees & Offerings

Counseling & Psychology in Education: Counseling (M.A.)

Master's
  Vermillion Main Campus
Choose to specialize in school counseling or clinical mental health counseling. The counselor education program provides you with the skills and knowledge you need to enter a growing field where professional counselors are being hired at high rates. Our comprehensive and contemporary program includes a state-of-the-art training clinic and experienced faculty.

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Counseling & Psychology in Education: Human Development & Education Psychology (M.A., Ed.S., Ph.D.)

Doctorate
  Vermillion Main Campus and Online
This strong, dynamic program allows self-directed students to develop expertise in one of two emphases: human development or educational psychology and adult learning. Human development explores the experiences that shape human growth. Educational psychology and adult learning assesses the complexity of the forces that support learning and motivation.

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Counseling & Psychology in Education: School Psychology (Ed.S., Ph.D.)

Doctorate
  Vermillion Main Campus

Our nationally accredited school psychology program provides individualized, hands-on training in providing a full range of psychological services for children of all ages. Learn how to evaluate learning, emotional and behavioral problems, design and implement academic and behavioral interventions and collaborate with teachers, parents and other professionals.

Our students have a 100 percent pass rate on the Praxis School Psychologist examination.

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Program Details

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Known for Excellence

With qualities like small class sizes, specialized programs and incredible student opportunities, USD is not your typical university. What makes us unique is what makes your education exceptional.

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.

An Affordable Education

Gain valuable real-world, professional experience while enjoying paid employment and discounted tuition rates as a graduate student at USD. The affordability you gain through graduate assistantships and fellowships will equip you with valuable, professional-level skills that will set you apart after graduation. 

Teaching and research assistantships are awarded by individual departments. If you do not receive an assistantship within your department, you are eligible for an assistantship outside of your academic program or within support offices (non-academic units) at USD. Further inquiries should be directed to the graduate director of the department.

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At USD, our graduate students are actively pursuing unique research and presenting at local and national conferences exploring innovative areas of interest to them. Additional research and grant opportunities include:

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®)

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition provides the opportunity to communicate the significance and impact of your research project in just three minutes.

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Research and Creative Scholarship Opportunities

Each semester students may apply for grants through the USD Graduate School, faculty and students pursue research in virtually all academic departments on campus, and in many cases, it is a required portion of a graduate degree program.

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IdeaFest

IdeaFest is an annual event celebrating student research, creative scholarship and academic engagement. Undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines present their work in oral and poster presentations, live performances, readings, exhibits and displays.

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USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including several that are housed in the School of Education. You may be interested in joining a student organization to make friends, develop new skills and explore your interests.

Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA)

Join your fellow graduate and professional students at USD. We aim to build a sense of community between graduate and professional students. Build your resume, network with others and gain experience and the unique opportunity to represent the interests of graduate students to the greater campus and community.

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DivisionS & Facilities

Explore the divisions, facilities and centers that contribute to your education in counseling and psychology in education.
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Counseling and Psychology in Education

We'll train students to make a difference and impact the lives of others as mental health counselors, school psychologists, or human development and educational professionals.

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Counseling & School Psychological Services Center

Community resources provided by supervised USD students.

Faculty & Staff

Get to know your professors in the Counseling and Psychology in Education Division. The faculty and staff of the Division of Counseling and Psychology in Education train highly competent professionals seeking to make a difference as community and mental health school counselors, school psychologists and human development and educational psychology professionals. 
Bio Image for Faculty Member Gabrielle Strouse

Gabrielle Strouse

Div Chair, Couns & Psych/Associate Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Daniel Decino

Daniel Decino

Associate Professor, Program Coordinator
Bio Image for Faculty Member Harry Freeman

Harry Freeman

Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Adam Hardy

Adam Hardy

Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Karissa Jensen

Karissa Jensen

Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Emma Johnson

Emma Johnson

Assistant Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Amber Kilburn

Amber Kilburn

Disaster Relief Coordinator
Bio Image for Faculty Member Lisa Newland

Lisa Newland

Professor
Bio Image for Faculty Member Tracie Ritz

Tracie Ritz

Lecturer, Clinical Experiences Coordinator
View All Faculty & Staff
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Unlock Your Career Opportunities

Master your skills as you prepare for your next career opportunity.

Students who complete our programs are well positioned for leadership roles in a variety of fields, including education, counseling and school psychology, social and human services, human resource development and other areas. Our program also prepares students for doctoral study and for teaching at the secondary and post-secondary levels.
a female student working with two young children

Discounted Tuition for South Dakota Teachers and Vocational Instructors

If you live in South Dakota, be sure and take advantage of the 50% reduced tuition program for currently contracted elementary/secondary teachers and vocational instructors.

 

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student success story

Headshot of Franny Myers
After careful research and conversations with people in education, I decided USD’s school counseling program was the best choice and fit for me. The program, and more importantly the faculty, helped me build my confidence and embrace my role as a school counselor. I am several years into my career as a middle school counselor, and I am still connected to the amazing people I met while at USD.

Franny Myers

M.A. Counseling and Psychology in Education: Counseling
Lead School Counselor/Student Advisor, North Middle School
Rapid City, South Dakota


Surprisingly Affordable

Whether you’ve recently completed your undergraduate degree, or you want to kick your career up a notch, graduate school is the next logical step. The good news is there is funding for both online and on-campus students to get you through your program. 

Graduate Tuition & Costs

Learn more about tuition and fees for undergraduate students and see how your out-of-pocket costs at USD compare to those at other colleges and universities. Visit the Graduate Tuition & Costs Detailed page for program specific costs and fees.

Financial Aid

Navigating options for how to pay for college can be challenging, but you are not alone. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education even more affordable.

Graduate Assistantships

USD offers opportunities for grad students to earn a reduced tuition rate in exchange for their teaching, research and service efforts to the university.

 


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