Best 34 Master’s in School Counseling Programs in 2024

The University of Akron’s Master’s in School Counseling program has an impressive 90% completion rate and an equally impressive 98% licensure exam pass rate. With a curriculum designed using the standards of both the Ohio Department of Education and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Professions (CACREP), this program allows for 85% post-graduate job placement.

A Master’s of Science in Counseling with an emphasis in School Counseling offered by the University of Arkansas prepares students for certification as a P-12 school counselor in Arkansas. Students wishing to work outside of Arkansas after graduation will have to contact the school district in their desired location to ensure the program curriculum satisfies their requirements.

Alabama A&M offers graduate students interested in becoming school counselors a Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology. Several concentrations are available within the degree program, including that for school counseling. Upon completing the academic program, internships, practicum, and comprehensive exam, graduates will have a Class A counseling certification.

A Master’s in School Counseling from McNeese State University prepares graduate students for a career in school counseling, with the added benefit of earning 48 of the 60 hours required by the State of Louisiana to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). This added benefit gives students a leg up when it comes to potential moves into the private sector.

Completing the Master’s in School Counseling program at Adam’s State University satisfies Colorado’s school counselor licensure requirements. This CACREP program, certified by The Colorado Department of Education, is offered on-campus and online.

Wilmington University offers a Master’s of Education in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling. The program, approved by the State of Delaware, ensures that students are eligible for licensure by the state upon completion.

Bridgewater State University offers advanced school counseling (PreK-8, 5-12) programs as Master’s and post-master’s licensure. Low student/professor ratio and access to several graduate funding opportunities give this program high grades for completion and affordability relative to schools in the surrounding area.

Florida Atlantic University offers graduate students a Master’s Degree in Education with a School Counseling Specialization.  Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to receive a school counselor certification from the State of Florida. Required fieldwork gives students the hands-on training vital to a successful career and leads to an impressive post-graduate job placement rate.

Many students choose the Master’s in School Counseling program at Concordia University Wisconsin because they are interested in having a choice between courses with an integrated faith-based emphasis and traditional secular coursework. The program offers rolling admissions and an 8-week accelerated format to optimize student efficiency. All adjuncts are actively working in or recently retired from extensive careers in the school counseling field.

A Master’s of Education in Professional School Counseling from Houston Baptist University has a prerequisite of two years of teaching at a Texas Education Association accredited school (P-12). Additionally, completion of the program requires 400 practical and internship hours.

At Spalding University, the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling aligns with CACREP and offers varying specialties based on students’ career goals, including school counseling. Practical experience is even available at the University’s Center for Behavioral Health.

Attaining a Master’s of Education degree with a school counseling concentration at the College of William and Mary requires a significant amount of fieldwork. Sixty credit hours of course work is enhanced with over 700 additional hours of practicum and internship. Additionally, the school’s Project Empower gives students further opportunity to engage with and support a local school district.

Unlike most school counselor graduate programs, Emporia University does not require a teaching certificate or experience to enroll if accepted. This Direct Entry program gives candidates with undergrad degrees in other disciplines a more direct avenue of entry into education and counseling.

A Master’s of Arts in School Counseling from Clark Atlanta University satisfies the requirements for certification from the State of Georgia. This highly competitive program has a curriculum that meets all of the standards set by CACREP and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Undoubtedly, the most competitive program on our list, the USC Rossier School of Education, is a top-notch institution for educators, administrators, and counselors. The Master of Education in School Counseling online degree from USC prepares students to become school counselors in K–12 settings. Also, USC Rossier has a Master of Education in Educational Counseling program for individuals interested in academic counseling at colleges and universities.

Established in 1801, the Athens-based University of Georgia is a large institution with close to 10,000 graduate students. Among the 108 graduate programs offered is a Master’s in School Counseling. Students will be able to work with neighboring school districts to get a comprehensive look into integrative behavior health in the school system. This program was ranked #2 in the United States and is accredited by CACREP.

The Master of Science in Counselor Education at East Carolina University will prepare students for a career in either an educational or human service sector. The program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours and has three specialized areas of study for students to choose from: school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, or student affairs and college counseling. It is accredited by CACREP and is approved by the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction.

Located in Gainesville, Florida, the University of Florida houses more than 16,000 students and offers a School Counseling Master’s program. The program is a dual, 72-credit degree that will prepare students to work with children, teens, and young adults in elementary, middle, or secondary schools. It has been accredited by both CACREP and NCATE.

Since welcoming its first class in 1876, Texas A&M University- College Station has become known for being a research-intensive college. A Master of Education in Educational Psychology is offered and has four specialized areas of study: creativity and cognition, developmental sciences, research, measurement, and statistics, and school counseling. The program can be completed on-campus or online and requires a minimum of 36-semester credits.

Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas, and offers a Master of Science in Counseling- School Counseling. The program is accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and will allow students to apply for a school counseling license at the end of their educational requirements for this program.

Since 1863, Boston College has been providing undergraduate and graduate education to students nationally and internationally. The Master of Arts degree in School Counseling consists of 16 classes for a total of 48 credits. While full-time students can complete their degree in two years, part-time students may require three to five years to graduate. The program is accredited by the MPCAC.

The College Park campus of the University of Maryland is a large institution with more than 10,000 graduate students enrolled in one of the 118 graduate programs. Ranked as #2 in the nation, the School Counseling program provides thorough training and courses that will give students the knowledge and tools needed to work in elementary, middle, or high schools. Graduates will also be eligible for a school counselor certification.

Ohio State University offers a School Counseling Program that is catered towards students who want to improve the well-being and mental health of students in grades K through 12. This university will also offer the opportunity for students to sit for a school counseling certification in the state of Ohio.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is known for being a top university in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math due to being a leading public research university. Another graduate program this institution has received high marks for is its Master of Education in School Counseling program. The program can be completed either online or on-campus and takes about two years to finish. A 100-hour practicum 600 internship hours are required to graduate.

Founded in 1907, the 356-acre campus of the University of Central Arkansas has 162 academic programs to choose from for their 10,000+ students, including an online Master of Science degree in School Counseling. Two tracks are available for this program: an add-on track for those who want to add this license to their current Arkansas teaching license and a track for those who do not hold a teaching license.

What began as a gift from “Commodore” Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1873 is grown to become a large university that currently has 10 schools and almost 6,000 graduate students in Nashville, Tennessee. Vanderbilt University offers a 48-credit online Master of Education with School Counseling Specialization online that can typically be completed in 3 years and will require two on-campus sessions and three internships to graduate.

The Master of Education in Educational Counseling from the University of Southern California is for those individuals who are looking for a counseling career in a two-year or four-year college or university. The program requires 48 credits and requires full-time students to take three to four courses per semester, while part-time students are required to take two to three courses per semester.

Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Salem College is a private, Moravian graduate school that caters to the educational needs of women from all over the world. The Master of Education in School Counseling is an online program that is comprised of internship opportunities, online courses, and two-weekend seminars. It usually takes students 36 months to complete the degree.

Founded in 1971, Liberty University is a large college that resides on 7,000 acres in Lynchburg, Virginia. The 48-credit Masters in School Counseling is an online program that can take two and a half years to complete. This institution has been ranked highly by several publications, including being named one of the Most Affordable Colleges by the SR Education Group, Best School Counseling Degrees Online by Successfulstudents.org, and Best Online Masters by Best Colleges.

The online Master of Arts in School Counseling from the University of Texas at Tyler will allow students to learn from licensed counselors and certified school counselors. Students will be able to join the American School Counselor Association and will get to work in the field with 500 hours of supervised counseling experience at local schools.

The University of Minnesota- Twin Cities was founded in 1851 and is one of only 5 colleges in the country that has an engineering school, veterinary medicine school, law school, medical school, and agricultural school all on the same campus. A Master of Arts in Counselor Education from this institution will enable graduates to work with students in elementary, middle, and high schools, along with university students. The program takes two years to complete and requires 60 credits to graduate.

As one of the fastest-growing universities in Texas, Lamar University over 100 degree options to its 15,000+ students. An online Master of Education in Counseling and Development with a Specialization in Professional School Counseling is available. This program requires 60 credits and can be achieved in as little as 30 months. It is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Located in Omaha, Nebraska, Creighton University is a private, Catholic college with more than 4,400 students enrolled in one of its 46 graduate programs. One of the programs offered is a Master of Science in School Counseling and Preventative Mental Health. The degree can be earned completely online and takes about 36 credit hours for students to complete if they currently hold a teaching certificate or 48 credit hours for those that do not have that certificate. It was named as one of the Best Online Programs by U.S. News.

St. Bonaventure University is located at Saint Bonaventure, New York, and has been ranked #2 in New York and #3 in the North by U.S. News & World Report. The online Master of Education in School Counseling program will give students the experience and education needed to connect with youth at a deeper level. The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.