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 10/22/26

School psychologists, school counselors, school social workers, school nurses, and school administrators are invited to participate in my dissertation study!

I am conducting a study examining how school professionals support students returning following a psychiatric hospitalization, how reintegration practices may differ across rural and non-rural settings, and what school and community factors may influence these supports.

You may be eligible to participate if you:
  • Are a school psychologist, school counselor, school social worker, school nurse, or administrator
  • Currently work in a public school in the United States

The online survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. The survey will remain open until October 30, 2026.

To participate, use the following link.

Some survey questions may ask about your professional experiences supporting students with mental health needs. The survey does not ask you to provide identifying information about specific students. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may choose not to answer any question or stop participating at any time. No direct identifiers will be collected and results will be reported in aggregate form.

Please feel free to share this post with other eligible school professionals.

Questions may be directed to Jordanna Kruse at jordanna.kruse@coyotes.usd.edu

Jordanna Kruse
School Psychology PhD Student
University of South Dakota

Karissa Drewelow, PhD, LP, NCSP
Assistant Professor of School Psychology
The University of South Dakota

Posted 10/22/26

Calling All K-12 Virtual School Counselors: Help Shape the Research on Your Role
 
My name is Jodie Huber, and I am a doctoral student at Northwest Nazarene University studying the role of professional school counselors working in virtual school settings.
 
I am seeking participants willing to complete a survey about their experiences as professional school counselors in a virtual environment. The questions will focus on how you use your time and your perceptions of your professional role. Participation is voluntary, and answers will not be recorded until you hit “submit” at the end of the survey. No personally identifiable information will be collected as part of the survey. 
 
The survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes. If you are a professional school counselor currently working in a virtual setting and you are willing to participate in the research, please complete the survey by clicking the link below:   
Thank you for your time and consideration. If you have any questions, please email me at jhuber@my.nnu.edu. 
* This study has been reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board at Northwest Nazarene University.

Posted 8/25/26

My name is Kelly Bulger, and I am a PhD candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Capella University. I am recruiting high school counselor members for my dissertation research.

Research Focus

My qualitative study investigates the experiences and strategies of high school counselors working with students planning for postsecondary education. This research aims to highlight effective practices and identify strategies to better support school counselors in their postsecondary advising roles.

Study Participation Details

  • Target Population: Currently practicing high school counselors.
  • Screening: A questionnaire to determine eligibility
  • Main Interview: A 45-60 minute semi-structured Zoom interview.
  • Data Privacy: All video recordings and transcripts will be anonymized, encrypted, and stored on a secure, password-protected drive.
  • IRB Status: The study protocol has been approved through the Capella University Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Support Requested

I kindly request that anyone interested in working toward my research in high school counseling, please email me at kbulger@capellauniversity.edu

Thank you for your leadership and dedication to advancing high school counseling practices. 

Sincerely,

Kelly Bulger
PhD Candidate, Counselor Education and Supervision
Capella University
kbulger@capellauniversity.edu

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