ALTY Student Spotlight | Mackenzie Tucker ’22

"I was drawn to Hood because of our small size, which allows for individualized attention, feedback and close relationships with peers and faculty. Hood offers one of th few CACREP-accredited counseling programs in Maryland, which is one of the major factors in my decision to stay."

Mackenzie Tucker, M.S. School Counseling

Program

Counseling, School Counseling (M.S.)
Counseling, Clinical Mental Health (M.S.)

Department

Psychology & Counseling

Alumni
Graduate School
Graduate Student

Alumni
Counseling, Care & Interdisciplinary Studies in Human Behavior Graduate Programs
Graduate School
Graduate Student
Psychology

04/17/2024

Mackenzie Tucker ’22 is a current graduate student enrolled in Hood College’s school counseling program. Tucker has been a part of the program since fall 2022, and she joined the program directly after graduating from Hood’s with her bachelor’s in 2022. We spoke with her about her current experiences in the school counseling program, what the process was like to transition directly to graduate school at Hood and what is next for her after graduation.

Could you briefly describe your education and career background?

I am pursuing a master’s in counseling (the school counseling specialty) at Hood College. I also did my undergraduate studies at Hood, earning a bachelor’s in English and psychology. I have work experience teaching preschool, teaching kids yoga, student teaching for a second-grade classroom and running an after-school program.

Currently, I teach ceramics at two elementary schools in Montgomery County. In the future, I hope to incorporate expressive art therapy in my practice as a school counselor. I have seen the benefits of art as a way of expression for kids who do not necessarily have the vocabulary or ability to express themselves yet. The physicality of ceramics is especially powerful for young ones!

What led you to study at Hood College?

I had a very positive experience at Hood in undergrad. I loved being a psych major and felt connected to and appreciated by the professors in the psych and counseling department.

I was drawn to Hood because of our small size, which allows for individualized attention, feedback and close relationships with peers and faculty. Hood offers one of the few CACREP-accredited counseling programs in Maryland, which is one of the major factors in my decision to stay.

Where have you interned/worked in relation to your counseling degree?

I have yet to start practicum, but I am set to start this summer at a therapeutic school in Montgomery County. In the fall, I hope to intern at a local public elementary or middle school.

What will studying practicum be like? How long will it last?

I am in this unique position because I have to do practicum over the summer. Traditional schools end in June. The school I will be at runs through the summer.

I will be there from May to August instead of January to May. This experience will be a different experience from what my school counseling peers are doing in practicum now. In the fall, I intend to start interning at a public middle or elementary school.

When are you expected to graduate?

I am expected to graduate in May 2025. I started in August 2022. So far, working part time and going to school full time is doable. This is about nine credits per semester and six credits over the summer. The program can be done in two years, but three or more seems more reasonable for most.

Where do you hope to take your career?

After graduation, I plan to work in a public elementary or middle school as a certified school counselor. Before I graduate, I want to take the National Counselor Exam (NCE) for licensure.

In the future, I will be looking into getting a post-master’s play therapy certification. I want to get into writing and illustrating social-emotional wellness related children’s books. I have written several, but they are in their first drafts.

Would you have any advice for people interested in Hood’s school counseling program?

If you are even just a little bit interested in school counseling, I would go to the school counseling route while taking the CMHC specialty classes as electives. This allows for certification and licensure. Post-graduation, if you decide to switch from school to clinical for some reason, you will not have to go back to complete CMHC coursework; you will have already completed it.

Interested in pursuing work in counseling, just like Mackenzie? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College’s graduate programs, such as school counseling, by clicking here.