Best Online Master’s in School Counseling Degree Programs

The hybrid master's in school counseling program at Liberty prepares aspiring school counselors for careers in public and private schools. The in-depth program qualifies students to earn a Virginia school counseling license, which transfers to states with licensure reciprocity. Full-time students can earn their degrees in 2.5 years.

The 48-credit, asynchronous curriculum features coursework in counseling theories and techniques, career development and counseling, and child and adolescent counseling. Students complete a practicum and two internships in their local communities. The program's hybrid component involves a one-week intensive on Liberty's Lynchburg, Virginia, campus.

Application requirements include a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA. The program accepts up to 24 transfer credits, and active military personnel receive a tuition discount. Liberty holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The online master's in school counseling program boasts accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Vanderbilt's Peabody College boasts some of the world's best undergraduate and graduate education programs. The online master of education with a school counseling specialization brings the college's latest research and excellent professors to students living all over the world. This hybrid program includes two on-campus intensives on Vanderbilt's Nashville, Tennessee, campus. Full-time students can graduate in 2-3 years.

The 48-credit online master's in school counseling builds students' knowledge and skills in career development, interpersonal relationships, and ethical practice, among other topics. All courses feature set meeting times and cap class sizes so that students can receive individualized attention from professors. Students complete three, one-semester internship experiences in the program's final half.

Prospective students submit undergraduate transcripts, GED scores, and 2-3 recommendation letters. Financial aid counselors consider all incoming students for merit-based scholarships and need-based grants. Vanderbilt holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The master of science in education - school and professional counseling - school counseling licensure program at CUW prepares aspiring school counselors for their new careers. The broad curriculum focuses primarily on school counseling but prepares students for related careers as vocational or guidance counselors. Full-time students can earn their degrees in two years. Graduates qualify for a Wisconsin school counseling license.

The 99-credit curriculum blends school counseling best practices with Christian teachings. The program features coursework in consultations strategies, trauma counseling, and psychopharmacology. Graduation requirements include an academic portfolio, three practica experiences, and passing the PRAXIS II exam. All CUW professors possess advanced degrees.

Prospective students submit undergraduate transcripts and two recommendation letters. CUW considers transfer credit on a case-by-case basis. All students pay the same affordable, per-credit tuition rate and fees. Professionals switching careers may qualify for a scholarship. CUW holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

International prospective students should consider the master's in international school counseling plus PA state certification program at Lehigh. Students typically take 1-2 courses each semester, allowing them to work full time or raise families. Students can earn their degrees in 2-3 years. Recent online master's in school counseling program graduates work as teachers and college counselors, among other related professions.

The 48-credit hybrid program incorporates a synchronous curriculum with coursework in culture-centred career intervention, education and inclusion of individuals with special needs, and current issues in counseling and therapy. The program also requires two internships. These internships must take place at schools outside the United States.

Prospective students can apply for the fall semester. Application requirements include a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and two recommendation letters. All students pay the same tuition and fees. The university does not award scholarships or grants to international students at this time. Lehigh holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The master of science in school counseling at ESU qualifies students for a Kansas school counseling license, which may transfer to other states. This hybrid master's program requires students to take half of all courses on Emporia's Emporia or Overland Park, Kansas, campus. Typical full-time students graduate in 24 months.

The 15-course, synchronous curriculum features a school counseling internship and coursework in multicultural counseling and counseling theories. Students can either write a master's thesis or take a comprehensive exam. Students remain in good academic standing by maintaining a B average in all courses. New students can start their educations in the summer, fall, or spring semester.

ESU requires applicants to possess a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA, interview with program faculty, and submit three recommendation letters. ESU holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. The online master's in school counseling program boasts accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

The MS in counseling program at Mercy boasts three specializations, including school counseling. This flexible, individually paced program caters to full- and part-time students. Graduates qualify for a New York state school counseling license, which transfers to states with reciprocity agreements. Full-time students typically graduate in 2-3 years.

This online master's in school counseling features a 48-credit curriculum with unique coursework in research methodology, human development, and a practicum in group work. School counseling students complete two semester-long internships and take a specialized course in college planning and preparation counseling.

Prospective students submit undergraduate transcripts, two recommendation letters, and a two- to three-page essay wherein applicants describe why they want to become school counselors. A private school, Mercy charges the same tuition rate to all students. Incoming students interested in university-funded financial aid submit the Mercy College Endowed Scholarship Application. Mercy holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The unique mental health practices in schools: online master's degree at MU helps teachers hone their classroom management skills and learn new ways to connect to students. Counselors, mental health professionals, and school administrators also choose this non-licensure program. Full-time students take two courses each semester and can graduate in two years.

This 34-credit online master's in school counseling program features a 25-credit core curriculum and nine elective credits. In the core curriculum, students analyze developmental aspects of human learning, communication and collaboration with children and families, and interventions in school mental health. Graduation requirements include a master's thesis.

Prospective students must possess a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and can apply for the spring, summer, or fall semester. Other application materials include three recommendation letters and a personal statement. Out-of-state students pay the in-state tuition rate. MU holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Aspiring counselors whose career plans do not require licensure or certification choose the guidance and counseling master's degree at ASU. Full-time students can complete this entirely online master's in school counseling in two years. Graduates go on to counseling positions at private primary and secondary schools, along with colleges.

The 36-credit, synchronous curriculum features coursework in individual counseling, career and occupational counseling, and dysfunctional behavior. All courses last eight weeks and do not use set meeting times. Students complete a comprehensive program review instead of a thesis or capstone project.

Prospective students can apply to one of five annual start dates. ASU requires a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA but not test scores or recommendation letters. Texas residents save approximately 60% on tuition compared to out-of-state online students. Students may qualify for one of seven departmental scholarships. ASU holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

UND boasts dozens of online degrees, including counseling: K-12 school with a counseling emphasis. Typical full-time students earn their degrees in 2.5 years and can earn a North Dakota licensed professional counselor certificate. This certificate transfers to most states.

The 60-credit, synchronous curriculum features coursework in group theory and process, educational collaboration, and methods of research. Students also complete a one-semester practicum and a two-semester internship in their home communities. Graduation requirements include a master's thesis. The program delivers two on-campus intensives, both of which last four days.

Prospective students can apply for the spring or fall semester. Application requirements include undergraduate coursework in specific courses and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Online students pay the in-state tuition rate. UND holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. The online master's in school counseling program boasts accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Preparation.

ULM's master of science in counseling with a concentration in school counseling program appeals to aspiring school counselors who plan to work in Louisiana or states with licensure reciprocity. Full-time students typically graduate in 2-3 years. Graduates go on to careers as school counselors, life coaches, and human resources specialists, among other professions.

The 60-credit curriculum includes 48 core credits and 12 concentration credits. Program requirements feature a 600-hour internship that students complete at one or more public schools in their local communities. Students can either write a master's thesis or complete an action research project.

Application requirements include a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and a 290 on the GRE. All online students pay the in-state tuition rate. ULM holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The online master's in school counseling boasts accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

Creighton's school counseling and preventative health medicine program lists three concentrations: elementary school counseling, secondary school counseling, and PK-12 guidance counseling. Full-time students can earn their degrees in two years and qualify for a Nebraska school counseling license.

The 36- to 39-credit synchronous curriculum features core coursework in theoretical perspectives in school counseling, social justice and diversity, and ethical guidelines for school counselors. Students also complete a 600-hour internship to meet Nebraska's requirements for licensure. Students without a teaching license or certificate take additional courses. New students begin their educations in the summer semester.

Prospective students should possess a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA and submit three recommendation letters. Creighton asks some applicants to submit standardized test scores. All students pay the same tuition rate. Incoming students may qualify for a university-funded scholarship or grant. Creighton holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

Students choose FHSU's master of science in counseling - school counseling program for its fully online format and three graduation pathways. The latter makes FHSU the perfect choice for prospective students planning to switch careers or resume their educations. Each pathway fulfills Kansas' requirements for school counseling licensure.

The 48- to 54-credit curriculum boasts some of the most rigorous academic requirements of all programs on this ranking. Students must maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA. Students without a background in education or counseling take additional coursework to meet licensure requirements. All students complete semester-long internships at local schools. Graduation requirements include passing the PRAXIS II Exam.

Applicants to the traditional online master's in school counseling must possess a teaching license. FHSU also asks graduate applicants to submit two recommendation letters and standardized test scores. Although a public university, FHSU charges all online graduate students the same per-credit tuition rate. FHSU holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.

The school counseling, M.Ed. program at UMass Boston attracts prospective students who can study full time. Students graduate in only six semesters, and the program qualifies graduates for a Massachusetts school counseling license.

This 60-credit, synchronous online master's in school counseling program boasts a cohort learning model. In class, students analyze psychopathology and diagnosis, research and evaluation in psychology, and collaborative consultation in schools. The final two semesters include practicum experiences. The program features a two-week, on-campus clinical experience that students complete during the program's first semester.

Prospective students submit GRE scores, two recommendation letters, and a writing sample. Unlike other schools on this ranking, UMass Boston requires school counseling applicants to possess at least one year of relevant experience. The university extends the in-state tuition rate to all students, saving out-of-state students thousands of dollars. UMass Boston holds regional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Experienced school counselors turn to Seton Hall's master of arts - school counseling program to advance their careers and educations. Although this program aligns to New Jersey education standards, it does not convey licensure or certification. Full-time students typically earn their degrees in 24 months.

The 48-credit curriculum uses a cohort learning model wherein a small group of students enter the program at the same time and take courses together. Unique courses include multicultural counseling and psychology, counseling and community agencies, and abnormal psychology. The program concludes with one practicum and two internship experiences.

Application materials for this online master's in school counseling program include undergraduate transcripts, three recommendation letters, and GRE scores. Applicants with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA do not submit test scores. All students pay a flat tuition rate each semester. Seton Hall holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commision on Higher Education.

New and experienced counselors from around the U.S. choose the master of education school counseling program at Arkansas. This dynamic program fulfills Arkansas' -- and many other states' -- requirements for initial school counseling licensure. Students who take two courses each semester can graduate in 2.5-3 years.

The 48-credit program includes both a 36-credit core curriculum and nine supervised experience credits that students complete either at their job sites or at schools in their local area. In class, students analyze group counseling, counseling theories, and development and administration of school counseling programs.

Prospective students can apply to one of four annual start dates, and students who live in and around Magnolia, Arkansas, can complete the program in a hybrid format. Required application materials include undergraduate transcripts and GRE, MAT, or GMAT scores. Arkansas residents save approximately 35% on tuition. SAU holds regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.