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As a teaching, counseling, psychology or administrative professional, learn to build and strengthen support systems for K-12 students with an online educational specialist (EdSp) degree in mental health practices in schools from the University of Missouri (Mizzou).
To improve classroom management, provide a listening ear or organize after-school programming, you explore socioemotional development for children and teens to help them confidently face a spectrum of challenges — from mental health concerns to peer relationships and academic hurdles. In the process, you gain the skills to promote adaptive behavioral strategies, increase awareness around mental health and foster empowering environments for all learners.
Note: This program does not provide school counselor certification or any professional counseling licensure.
About the online EdSp in mental health practices in schools
Students contend with multiple obstacles from elementary through high school. Friendships change, homework becomes more complex and decisions about the future loom on the horizon. Outside factors — from undiagnosed mental health conditions to family problems and unresolved trauma — further affect how well a student focuses, performs and progresses in school.
Building off the master’s sequence, the online EdSp in mental health practices in schools equips education and community professionals to support children and teens as they encounter life’s myriad challenges. Through a practical, flexible format and courses taught by scientist-practitioners, you delve into behavioral health and development topics to direct interventions, assist struggling students, improve socioemotional and academic outcomes and encourage lifelong resiliency:
- Explore how to better manage and engage classrooms through practical counseling and psychology principles
- Grow your knowledge of evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies to promote positive mental health of children and adolescents
- See how mental health advocacy fosters a diverse, multicultural school environment
- Learn more about mental, emotional and behavioral factors affecting children and teens and related behavioral supports and crisis intervention strategies
- Prepare to communicate and collaborate with parents, families, school personnel and community members and direct them to mental health resources
Quick facts
Official name
Educational Specialist in Educational, School and Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Mental Health Practices in SchoolsCampus
Program type
Educational specialistAcademic home
College of Education & Human Development | Department of Educational, School and Counseling PsychologyDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning CommissionCredit hours
31Estimated cost
$17,415.80*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
Continue to enrich your knowledge base with adaptive strategies that promote school-wide mental health awareness and student success. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting 5% more positions for school and career counselors and advisors through 2032, the online EdSp in mental health practices in schools keeps your skills competitive.
This credential supports the career progression of:
- Community-based practitioners
- Elementary and secondary teachers
- Mental health professionals
- School administrators
- School counselors
- Special education professionals
Program structure
The online EdSp in educational, school and counseling psychology with an emphasis in mental health practices in schools requires 31 credit hours. All students start with two courses, during which they explore research methods and data collection related to school psychology. They’ll also complete a capstone paper.
From here, students select from a series of specialized electives to fulfill the program’s requirements. Students are advised to choose courses based on how they currently serve or intend to serve students in a school or community setting.
Delivery of this program is 100% online: no campus visits are required.
Courses are semester based. Students typically take one or two classes each semester, including summers, and finish in two years.
Course work includes
Through the courses selected, students learn to:
- Assess, identify and manage atypical behaviors
- Collaborate with families, community agencies and school personnel
- Communicate with parents, children and school personnel
- Support diversity issues in schools
- Evaluate and implement evidence-based programs
- Develop effective intervention strategies and resources
Review all requirements for the online EdSp in mental health practices in schools.
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
2 yearsTypical course load
1 or 2 classes each semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.