Why study School Counseling at JBU?
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Preparation for Licensure
JBU prepares you for school counseling and guidance positions in elementary and secondary schools. Graduates with a passing score on the PRAXIS exam will be licensed by the Arkansas Department of Education.
You are driven by compassion and a calling to help and encourage. JBU can provide the courses, practical experience and training you need to make a difference in the lives of students as a school counselor.
By learning from faculty who have years of experience in the field, you will receive the knowledge and skills needed to become an excellent educator. You will also receive the accredited education program required to be certified to teach in your desired field and to stand out to potential employers.
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Unique Focus on Christian Values
Whether you intend to work in a public or private school setting, a JBU education will prepare you to serve students with compassion and care.
Program Length
The M.Ed. in School Counseling is 49 credit hours. Time to completion depends on whether a student pursues this degree part-time or full-time.
Course Format
While there are some online course options, the majority of this program's courses will need to be attended in-person. JBU offers evening School Counseling classes at it's campuses in Fort Smith, Little Rock, Rogers, and Siloam Springs.
Play Therapy Emphasis
Students in this program can choose to emphasize in Play Therapy, which uses a variety of play and creative arts techniques to better assist children to communicate their thoughts and feelings.
Graduate Education Faculty
Connie Matchell
Department Head, Teacher Education
Professor of Teacher Education
Dr. Connie Matchell started her career with JBU as the Head of the Graduate Education program in 2015. Graduating from JBU in 1977, Dr. Matchell has always maintained strong ties with the university. She draws from 30 years of public school experience as a high school teacher, middle school principal, and district curriculum director to provide a rich foundation for her Graduate Teacher Education classes.
Dr. Matchell's accomplishments include serving as an Arkansas Department of Education Praxis III Assessor, an Arkansas Department of Education Scholastic Audit Team Member, an AdvanceEd team member, a Math Crusade Trainer, NEWMAST participant, Teacher of the Year, and the Arkansas Middle School Association Principal that Makes a Difference.
Brian Herndon
Associate Professor of Teacher Education
Dr. Brian Herndon has been in education for over 20 years. He has served as a classroom teacher in Kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade. He has also served as an elementary principal, elementary assistant principal, and the director of an early childhood special education preschool, where he served as a Local Education Authority (LEA) for hundreds of special education IEP meetings. As a classroom teacher, he developed a special interest in the teaching of reading and language arts and has studied extensively in these areas. Dr. Herndon’s experience in education is complimented by the fact that he is the father of four children, one of whom has Down syndrome. So, education is not just a professional calling for him, it is a personal calling as well.
Judy Winslett
Assistant Professor of School Counseling
Dr. Judy Winslett is licensed in both Arkansas and Oklahoma as a teacher, school counselor, building administrator, and district administrator. She received her bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University, master’s degree from John Brown University, and specialist and doctorate degrees from Harding University. Dr. Winslett began teaching for JBU as an adjunct in 2013 and joined the university as a full-time faculty member in 2017.
Dr. Winslett has worked in both Oklahoma and Arkansas public school systems for 23 years teaching vocational business classes, serving as high school counselor, assistant high school principal, and high school principal. At the district level, Dr. Winslett served as federal programs coordinator and assistant superintendent. She has also served on regional and state level committees working to provide enhanced opportunities for secondary students as they prepare for life after high school.
Curtis Cunningham
Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
Dr. Curtis Cunningham holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with emphasis in Early Childhood from Southwest Baptist University, a Masters in Education with emphasis in Gifted Education from Drury University and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Gifted Education from the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville. At JBU, he is responsible for teaching classes related to classroom management, curriculum design, differentiated instruction and human development for students in the undergraduate and graduate programs.
Prior to coming to JBU, Dr. Cunningham worked for fourteen years in private and public schools. He has experience teaching Kindergarten, third and fourth grade in the regular classroom and teaching second and fifth grades in a program for gifted and talented students. He supported early-career teachers for six years as an instructional specialist before coming to JBU. He is excited to bring his expertise in curriculum design and differentiated instruction to JBU as we prepare the next generation of educators.
Kimberly Murie
Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
Dr. Kimberly Murie joined the Department of Teacher Education at John Brown in 2015. Dr. Murie earned a Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Arkansas. After teaching science in two large public high schools for over ten years and serving as a department chair for eight years, God opened the door for Dr. Murie to resume the role of student herself. She returned to school to fulfill a lifelong dream of being an educator of teachers. Dr. Murie graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2015, earning a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Science Education.
Working in a public school setting for many years has given Dr. Murie a passion into the importance of having Christian educators engaged in public education. It is a great honor and privilege to be able to instruct and encourage future educators on how they can be the hands and feet of Christ to a student, a classroom, and a community.
