Outlook Magazine - Fall 2025

Support for the well-being of Wisconsin’s young students

School counselors provide a variety of ser vices for young students in the prekinder garten to grade 12 setting, supporting their mental health and academic achievement. They build community partnerships and mul tilevel supports within schools and create and sustain data-driven programs. However, ongoing challenges across the nation to recruit, hire and retain quali fied school counselors have caused a mas sive shortage, particularly in rural schools, impacting students, their families and com munities. With 30% of Wisconsinites living in rural areas, the shortage is pronounced, and a pro jected 1,500 school counseling positions will need to be filled statewide within the next five years. UW-Stout’s online M.S. in school counsel ing program aims to increase the number of school counselors in Wisconsin. “We know there’s a high demand for school counselors in rural areas and educators who would love to get a license but can’t make the trip to campus for classes,” Professor Riley Drake said. “The online degree program helps them achieve their career goals.” Also available are two post-master's certif icates for educators and mental health coun selors that may be completed in one year and will prepare professionals to be license-eligi ble in Wisconsin.

Read the full stories at UWStout.edu/Rural-Needs

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Outlook 2025