EDSEC - Experiential Counseling

An Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is for individuals who have already completed a Masters degree, and wish to obtain specialized training and credentialing at a higher degree level. In this case with the Ed.S. in Experiential Counseling, students seeking this advanced training will already have a Masters degree in one of the recognized helping professions, or are concurrently enrolled in the Master of Science in Counseling at Prescott College. The Ed.S. in Experiential Counseling degree is designed to allow for specialized emphasis in adventure-based counseling or nature-based counseling fields. This degree focuses on the applied practice for the prescriptive use of experiential counseling experiences. The adventure-based counseling focuses on clinical experiences that kinesthetically engage clients on cognitive, somatic, affective, and behavioral levels, while nature-based counseling is grounded in the philosophy of ecopsychology and nature-based interventions that aim to improve mental and physical wellbeing through doing outdoor activities in nature. Students must select an emphasis (either nature-based or adventure-based) and complete both coursework and applied clinical experiences. Coursework is completed in both general content areas and clinical areas unique to the program specialty. Students will successfully complete at least 100 hours of clinical experience.