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Western Illinois University's Department of Counselor Education aims to develop socially conscious, diverse students, faculty, and staff who can take leadership roles in our interconnected world. The program focuses on building both practical and theoretical abilities, celebrates differences in perspectives and backgrounds, and upholds high educational standards with strong ethical principles. Instructors foster an environment that balances challenge with support to nurture individual progress. The department actively seeks students who reflect the diversity of our multicultural society. At the WIU-QC campus, the department provides a Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Counseling, featuring a distinctive curriculum that equips future professionals with essential counseling competencies. Program completion demands both scholastic achievement and practical proficiency. Participants can choose between two specializations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. The Clinical Mental Health track trains students for clinical roles in diverse settings such as mental health facilities, rehabilitation centers, private practices, university counseling services, and workplace assistance programs. The School Counseling specialization readies graduates for positions as guidance counselors in K-12 educational institutions, both public and private. Notably, this school counseling program stands as WIU's sole pathway to obtaining school counselor certification.