A masters in school counseling prepares you for a future helping children managing the stresses of academics, relationships, and family dynamics. While it is possible to become a school counselor with a general counseling degree, those programs may not delve deep enough into the specific needs of matriculating elementary and secondary school-aged children.
Are All Master’s in School Counseling Program Curriculum the Same?
Unlike many advanced degree programs, school counseling degree programs will vary from place to place. More often than not, these graduate degree programs are customized to meet state-specific requirements.
Pursuing a master’s in counseling is an admirable pursuit. If your goal is to become a school counselor, you will need a graduate degree to satisfy most state and local school system requirements. With hundreds of quality programs to choose from, narrowing down your options can be a challenging task.
To assist you in your endeavor, we have compiled a list of schools in various locations that make the grade for providing top-notch preparation for a career in school counseling.
Interested in finding the right college or university grad program? We can help you find the best school based on your specific criteria.
Recommended Schools
Master of Science in School Counseling | Capella University
If you’re passionate about helping others, the career possibilities seem endless. From counseling to behavioral therapy to community activism, professions dedicated to helping people are varied and rewarding. At Capella University you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to pursue the helping profession that suits you. Take the next step toward a career where you can impact people’s lives every day.
Master of Education in School Counseling | Grand Canyon University (GCU)
Grand Canyon University’s (GCU) online counseling degrees prepare you to counsel a variety of clients from diverse backgrounds. Designed to ensure you are academically prepared to meet the requirements for licensure, our online counseling degree programs from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences help you prepare to become a counselor. As a counselor, you will work with clients who are impacted by psychological, social, behavioral and emotional issues. Choose from the variety of online bachelor’s or master’s degree programs that GCU offers, including the Christian-focused counseling degree and online addiction counseling degree..
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Akron – Akron, OH | Akron, Ohio |
| 2 | University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, AR | Fayetteville, Arkansas |
| 3 | Alabama A&M University – Huntsville, AL | Huntsville, Alabama |
| 4 | McNeese State University – Lake Charles, LA | Lake Charles, Louisiana |
| 5 | Adams State University – Alamosa, CO | Alamosa, Colorado |
15 Top Picks for a Master’s in School Counseling
University of Akron – Akron, OH
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.
School Overview
University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, AR
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.
School Overview
Alabama A&M University – Huntsville, AL
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.
School Overview
McNeese State University – Lake Charles, LA
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.
School Overview
Adams State University – Alamosa, CO
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.
School Overview
Wilmington University – New Castle, DE
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.
School Overview
Bridgewater State University – Bridgewater, MA
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.
School Overview
Florida Atlantic University – Boca Raton, FL
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.
School Overview
Concordia University Wisconsin
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.
School Overview
Houston Baptist University – Houston, TX
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.
School Overview
Spalding University – Louisville, KY
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.
School Overview
College of William and Mary – Williamsburg, VA
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.
School Overview
Emporia University – Emporia Kansas
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.
School Overview
Clark Atlanta University – Atlanta, GA
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.
School Overview
University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA
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.
School Overview
Ranking Methodology
Several factors go into deciding which graduate school will be right for you. To help make your decision easier we collected the data on yearly tuition (in-state/exclusive of fees) and acceptance rates. A point system was attributed based on a scale of 1-15 and each school received an overall score based on those points and was then ranked accordingly.
We welcome representatives from any of the schools listed above to contact us with corrections or inquiries. Also, if you’re representing a school and would like the school or a particular program reviewed please reach out to us as well.
