Professional Research

GSCA does not distribute research surveys on behalf of members or the public.  However, in the interest of furthering the research that makes school counselors able to better themselves and assisting those who are in pursuit of higher degrees, we post surveys which have been screened by the GSCA Journal Editor for validity. We ask that school counselors participate as they are able in order to continue and support research in the field.

If you have a survey/research you would like posted below, please email info@gaschoolcounselor.org.  Please include the exact text you would like published and a copy of the IRB approval letter.   Your request will be reviewed and approved by our review committee before it will be posted.


Posted 7/31/26

Dear School Counselor,

You are invited to participate in a national research study examining how licensed school counselors who serve as site supervisors understand and use artificial intelligence (AI) in their school counseling practice and their work with school counselors-in-training. This study is part of an IRB-approved project [IRB-FY2026-426] led by researchers at Ball State University and the New York Institute of Technology.

You are eligible to participate if you are a currently licensed or certified professional school counselor in the United States, you have three or more years of experience as a licensed school counselor, and you have previous experience as a school counseling site supervisor.

The online survey is anonymous and voluntary and takes approximately 13 to 15 minutes. It includes background questions, rating-scale items, and a few optional open-ended questions. No identifying information is collected, and you may skip any question or stop at any time. Your perspectives will help inform school counselor preparation programs, field-based supervision practices, and professional development related to the ethical and effective use of AI in school counseling.

To participate, please click the link: http://tiny.cc/BSUAIStudy

Thank you for considering participation in this important study.

Sincerely,


Sherri Barrow, Ph.D., PSC, LMHC, Principal Investigator
Department of Educational Psychology, School Counseling
Ball State University
sherri.barrow@bsu.edu

Cameka Hazel, Ed.D., Co-Investigator
Department of Psychology and Counseling,
New York Institute of Technology
chazel@nyit.edu


Posted 7/29/26

My name is Crystal Winters, and I am a doctoral student at Wichita State University conducting research for my dissertation.  This study addresses the growing youth mental health crisis by examining how district-provided professional development influences K–12+ public school staff members' confidence in supporting students' non-academic needs. By exploring the relationship between professional development design and staff self-efficacy, this research aims to provide actionable recommendations that can help school districts develop more effective, experiential training that better prepares educators for the realities of today's classrooms.

Participation is voluntary, confidential, and takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete.

Survey Link:

https://wichitastate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0TdYp3npTAisNN4.  The survey participation will remain open until September 2, 2026.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and support of academic research.

Sincerely,

Crystal Winters
PhD Candidate
Wichita State University


Posted 7/13/26

Hello School Counselor! 

Drs. John McCall, Allison Fears, Malti Tuttle, and Ms. Lonnisha Smith are conducting a research study focusing on the experiences of school counselors working in a rural setting and their experiences with Artificial Intelligence (AI). This research project has been approved by Auburn University’s institutional review board (IRB-FY26-166). 

You can participate in this study if you meet the following criteria: 

  • Identify as a School Counselor Working in a Rural Setting in the United States.  

  • 2). Willing to commit to complete a demographic screening survey, one recorded semi-structured interview, and review interview transcripts and themes.  

  • 3.) Are 19 years or older. 

Participation involves completing a brief online Qualtrics survey and a 60–90-minute Zoom interview. The survey is used only to determine eligibility for participation in the interview and is not a compensated portion of the study. If participants are willing to respond to this call, they can access the Qualtrics survey through the following link below: 

https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eM9liIKfUCu0C9w 

While completing the Qualtrics survey, potential participants will provide contact information to set up the Zoom meeting. After completing the survey, potential participants will be contacted to set up the meeting and receive an informed consent document. The interview through Zoom will be audio-recorded. 

Participants have the right to withdraw at any point during the study, for any reason, and without any prejudice. Also, if participants do not want to answer certain questions, you are free to pass on the question and move forward to complete the rest of the questions.  

Eligible participants who complete the full interview will receive a $50 electronic gift card within 48-72 hours following completion. 

If you have any questions about the study, please contact John McCall, PhD at jrm0204@auburn.edu 

Thank you for your consideration!  

John McCall, PhD
Assistant Professor
Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling Department, Auburn University
Pronouns: he, him
Phone: 334-844-7614
Personal Zoom Meeting Link: https://auburn.zoom.us/j/8723217656
Click here to learn more about the 
School Counseling Integrated Program (SCIP). Grant funding opportunity for students enrolled in the School Counseling Program


Posted 5/26/26

My name is Stefanie McDougald, and I am a school counselor and doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Georgia. We are conducting a research study to explore the experiences of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) school counselors while engaging in social justice advocacy work in schools.

For this study, social justice advocacy work is defined as the work to challenge and implement equitable, anti-oppressive, and anti-biased practices, policies, and procedures that affect students who are currently and historically marginalized in schools (ASCA, 2022a).

The study will consist of one 60-minute interview and a 30-minute post-interview discussion via Zoom. The interview will occur at a time that is convenient for you and your schedule.

Eligibility for participating in the study includes the following criteria:
  • School counselor who self-identifies as a member of the BIPOC community
  • Practicing school counselor in a K-12 public school with 3+ years of experience post-graduation from a master’s program
  • Can recall at least one detailed experience of social justice advocacy work in a public K-12 school setting (e.g., inequitable discipline practices, discriminatory dress codes, barriers to advanced or gifted classes, overrepresentation in special education programs)
  • When the experience of social justice advocacy work occurred, you worked in a school where you identified as a marginalized individual amongst faculty, staff, and/or administration.

If you are interested in participating in this study, please click this link to access the demographic survey (survey link).
If you have any questions, please contact me at stefanie.mcdougald@uga.edu.

Thank You, 
Stefanie McDougald, M.Ed., LPC, NCC
Doctoral Candidate- Counselor Education and Supervision
University of Georgia


Posted 4/30/26

My name is Rick Mendenhall, a distance Ph.D. student in Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota. With experience in the Air Force, the Air Force Reserves, and at a major airline, I am conducting a study to understand how school counselors view and guide students toward aviation maintenance careers. I invite you to participate in this important survey.

You may choose to participate in the survey, and we will keep all responses anonymous. The survey will begin with an Informed Consent form that outlines its purpose and procedures.

The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

I greatly appreciate your prompt participation. If you have any questions, please contact me at richard.mendenhall.1@ndus.edu.        

Survey Link: https://und.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eQLvRsVGQy9h3My

Thank you for your participation,

Rick Mendenhall
Doctoral Student – Ph.D. Aerospace Sciences
John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences
University of North Dakota


Posted 4/15/26

Research Study Invitation: High School Counselors

You are invited to participate in a research study examining school counselors’ perceptions of supporting LGBTQ+ students in high schools.

Eligibility Requirements:

Participants must:
Be currently employed as a high school counselor
Have at least one year of experience, and
Be 18 years or older.

Participation in this study is voluntary and involves completing an anonymous online survey that will take approximately 15–20 minutes. No identifying information will be collected.

If you meet the criteria and would like to participate, please click the link: https://westga.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_77fjKKr7p32Nqdg

Thank you for your time and consideration.

If you have any questions or concerns about this study, please contact:


Researcher:
Jasmine Scott, Doctoral Candidate
University of West Georgia
jg00113@my.westga.edu

Faculty Advisor (Principal Investigator):
Dr. Morgan Jenkins
University of West Georgia
mjenkins@westga.edu


Posted 3/20/26

My name is Candace H. Washington, and I am a PhD Candidate in the School of Building Construction at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I am conducting a research study examining school counselors’ knowledge and confidence in advising students about construction management career pathways.

School counselors play a vital role in helping students explore career options. However, many students are unfamiliar with careers in the construction industry, including construction management, one of the fastest-growing professional fields in the United States. (While construction trades involve hands-on careers such as electricians, carpenters, and plumbers, construction management focuses on planning and leading building projects, coordinating teams, schedules, budgets, and safety.)

This study seeks to better understand school counselors’ perspectives and experiences when advising students about these career opportunities. The results of this research will inform future professional development resources specifically designed for school counselors.

Georgia counselors are underrepresented in research on career pathway advising, and your perspective will help ensure Georgia students are better informed about construction management careers. Your perspective as a school counselor is extremely valuable.

What Participation Involves:

  • Participation involves completing a brief online survey that takes approximately 8–10 minutes.
  • Participation is voluntary, and responses will remain confidential.


Eligibility Requirements:

  • Participants must currently serve as a school counselor in a Georgia middle or high school


Survey Link https://gatech.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3rNMjD6OlwKRqbc

Your participation will help improve awareness of career pathways available to Georgia students.

Contact Information
Candace H. Washington
PhD Candidate, School of Building Construction
Georgia Institute of Technology
cwashington@gatech.edu


Posted 2/23/26

Greetings and Salutations - 
Interview Study Seeks Black American School Counselors That Have Experienced Racial Discrimination in the Workplace
About the Study -

Workplace discrimination happens when someone is treated unfairly at work because of personal characteristics that are not related to their ability to do their job. These can include race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, political beliefs, or religion. In 2016, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) received more than 35,000 complaints of workplace discrimination related to race or skin color.
You are invited to share your experiences of racial discrimination in the workplace as a school counselor.
What Participation Involves -
• Invited to engage in the initial interview for approximately 60-minutes (10-minute introduction to clarify any questions and review informed consent, 40-minute semi-structured interview via video conference or face-to-face that will be recorded, and 10-minutes to complete a short debrief and conclude the interview).
• You will be provided with a summary of your interview for review by email so you can confirm my interpretation and make corrections if needed (15-30 minute review time).
Eligibility Requirements
Participants must:
• Identify as Black, Black American, or African American
• Be currently licensed and/or state-certified in school counseling
• Have worked in a K–12 school setting for 5+ years
• Hold at least a master’s degree in counselor education; and
• Have experienced racial discrimination in the workplace
This interview is part of the doctoral study of Tiffany Jackson, Ph.D. student at Walden University. Interviews are currently being conducted.
To confidentially volunteer, contact the researcher: Tiffany Jackson via email at tiffany.jackson12@waldenu.edu

Posted 3/20/26

Greetings, Georgia School Counselors,

My name is Candace H. Washington, and I am a PhD Candidate in the School of Building Construction at the Georgia Institute of Technology. I am conducting a research study examining school counselors’ knowledge and confidence in advising students about construction management career pathways.

School counselors play a vital role in helping students explore career options. However, many students are unfamiliar with careers in the construction industry, including construction management, one of the fastest-growing professional fields in the United States. (While construction

trades involve hands-on careers such as electricians, carpenters, and plumbers, construction management focuses on planning and leading building projects, coordinating teams, schedules, budgets, and safety.)

This study seeks to better understand school counselors’ perspectives and experiences when advising students about these career opportunities. The results of this research will inform future professional development resources specifically designed for school counselors.

Georgia counselors are underrepresented in research on career pathway advising, and your perspective will help ensure Georgia students are better informed about construction management careers. Your perspective as a school counselor is extremely valuable.

What Participation Involves:

  • Participation involves completing a brief online survey that takes approximately 8–10 minutes.
  • Participation is voluntary, and responses will remain confidential.


Eligibility Requirements:

  • Participants must:
    • Currently serve as a school counselor in a Georgia middle or high school 

Survey Link: https://gatech.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3rNMjD6OlwKRqbc

Your participation will help improve awareness of career pathways available to Georgia students.

Contact Information 
Candace H. Washington PhD Candidate, School of Building Construction
Georgia Institute of Technology
cwashington@gatech.edu


Posted 11/24/25

Help Shape the Future of School Counseling and AI!

We invite all school counselors to participate in the National Survey of School Counselors’ Practices and Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Your voice matters! This research will inform future policies and ethical guidelines for AI use in school counseling.

The survey is short(5 minutes), confidential, and accessible on any device.
Take the survey today: https://survey.unf.edu/jfe/form/SV_6WNb0QmYMdqfibc 

Why participate?

  • Influence national standards and best practices
  • Ensure safe and effective integration of AI in counseling
  • Represent your state’s perspective in this important conversation

Please share this opportunity widely with your colleagues and networks. Together, we can shape the future of school counseling!

Thank you for contributing to this important research effort. If you have any questions, please contact us at annu.k@unf.edu.

Annu Kallarackal
Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Leadership, School Counseling, & Sport Management
College of Education & Human Services
University of North Florida