School Counseling

School Counseling

MISSOURI COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM

The vision of the School Counseling Staff is to work with schools to help ensure that each school has a fully implemented comprehensive school counseling program that supports the academic, career, and intrapersonal/interpersonal development of all students through the delivery of counseling curriculum, individual student planning, and responsive services. The program is managed and evaluated through system support activities that also support the on-going mission of the school. Effective comprehensive school counseling programs are vital to the school climate and a critical element in the development of success ready students. Comprehensive school counseling programs have a positive impact on students, parents, schools and communities.

The mission of the School Counseling staff is to support and empower Missouri School Counselors through leadership, advocacy, and professional development ensuring all students achieve academic success, career readiness, and intra/interpersonal growth. 

Missouri School Counseling Program Manual

Find the School Counseling Program Manual here.

School Counseling Listserv

Sign up for the School Counseling Listserv here.

Material shared on the School Counseling ListServ is intended to provide pertinent and updated information to assist those working with students in matters regarding social/emotional, academic, and career development. The Counselor Digest and periodic updates and links will be provided to subscribers.

K-12 Missouri School Counseling Learning Standards and School Counseling Curriculum

See the Missouri K-12 School Counseling Learning Standards and School Counseling Curriculum webpage here for more information.

Individual Student Planning

See the Individual Student Planning webpage here for more information.

Responsive Services

See the Responsive Services webpage here for more information.

System Support

See the System Support page here for more information.

Awards

Gysbers Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program Award

The Gysbers Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program Award recognizes Missouri school buildings that have demonstrated the commitment to be fully implemented. This prestigious award is a five year distinction. Buildings may reapply after five years.

Due Date: September 1

Applications will be scored by a panel of five trained reviewers comprised of a counselor educator, MSCA representative, elementary counselor, middle school counselor, and high school counselor. A K-12 counselor can be chosen to serve as one of the school counseling positions. An application must receive a score of 54 (90% or higher) to achieve the designation. Successful applicants will be notified no later than the last Friday in September. Applications should be sent to DESE.GysbersAwardProposal@dese.mo.gov.

For more information contact Cierra Griffin, at 573-751-4383 or cierra.griffin@dese.mo.gov

Gysbers Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program Award Application

Gysbers Templates:

The Word Document format can be uploaded to a shared platform in order for multiple building counselors to see and use. Only one copy of the form will be submitted for the award.

Missouri Gysbers (House Bill 1606) Award Winning Schools

Awardees

Missouri RAMP Schools

RAMP Schools

History of Dr. Norman C. Gysbers Nationally Recognized Missouri Program Award (NRM)

NRM information can be viewed here.

Professional Recognition Recipients.

Certification

List of approved programs

Career Certification Information

Mentoring

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has a statewide two-year mentoring program for school counselors who are new to the profession.  To upgrade from an Initial Student Services (ISS) certification to a Career Student Services (CSS) certification, a school counselor must participate in a two-year mentoring program (in addition to other criteria). After completion of this two-year program, mentees will be issued a DESE certificate that can be used in the upgrade process. The DESE mentor program is specifically designed for participants who register for the DESE mentoring program in their first year. Registration closed on September 5th.  

*All first year registration will be accepted into the two-year mentoring program.

For more information contact Cierra Griffin via email or phone 573-751-4383.

MenteesMentors
  • Register here!
  • Required to attend mentoring program training.
  • Complete a two-year obligation of school counseling "experiences" with mentor coaching to earn a DESE mentoring completion certificate.
  • Contact logs will contain reflections about topics by both mentee and mentor. Must be submitted to obtain a certificate of completion.
  • Register here!
  • Required to attend mentoring program training.
  • Complete a two-year obligation as a mentor to provide feedback on essential experiences and skills a beginning counselor needs.
  • Contact logs will contain reflections and feedback from a mentor. Must be submitted to receive a stipend.
New School Counselor Institute

New School Counselor Institute (NSCI)

Registration is closed.
Tentative Dates: July 6-8, 2026
Location: Stoney Creek Hotel in Columbia, Missouri

NSCI is designed for those entering school counseling positions with:

  • An alternative certification with no, or one year of school counseling experience
  • Recent graduation from a school counseling master's program and 0-1 years of counseling experience
  • No public school experience

Space is limited, so apply as soon as possible. Priorities for acceptance will be based on the bulleted list above and the date registration is received. All attendees must submit a local administrator approval letter to attend the NSCI conference. Please download the approval letter below and submit it to your registration application. No purchase orders will be accepted.

Contact Cierra Griffin at 573-751-4383 for any questions related to NSCI.