The Best Online Master's in School Counseling Programs of 2020

A Catholic college based in Houston, Texas, UST offers a master of education in school counselor education with both fully online and hybrid options. Intended for experienced educators, the program admits applicants who hold at least two years of teaching experience or other relevant professional experience in an education setting.

The 48-credit curriculum includes courses in education research and scholarly writing, multicultural populations, lifestyle and career development, and ethical and legal issues in counseling. Program graduates typically qualify for school counselor certification in the state of Texas.

The degree concludes with a capstone practicum course which requires 160 hours of supervised counseling work, including at least 80 hours of direct client contact. The practicum requires students to demonstrate advanced competencies and an understanding of key program concepts.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Education in School Counselor Education

School Status: Private

Tuition: $598/credit

Credit Requirements: 48 credits

Program Length: 2 years

Delivery

Format: 100% online or hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 3.0 minimum

Work Experience: 2 years in an approved counseling-related area

Contact

Phone: (713) 525-3540

Email: education@stthom.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

Part of the Christian Concordia University System, CUI operates a main campus in Irvine, California, along with a distance education program serving students around the state. The college hosts a master of arts in education: school counseling degree in both blended and fully online formats.

CUI's counseling program uses a cohort format that enables students to move through the same course sequence as a group. The 48-credit curriculum includes courses such as counseling diverse populations, psychopathology, educational research methods, and counseling exceptional children. The degree typically takes 33 months to complete.

Counseling degree candidates complete a variety of experiential learning activities, including a practicum, field work, and a capstone action research project. The practicum requires 100 hours of supervised counseling work, while the field experience requires 600 hours.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Arts Education: School Counseling

School Status: Private

Tuition: $570/credit

Credit Requirements: 48 credits

Program Length: 33 months

Delivery

Format: 100% online

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 2.7 minimum

Standardized Tests: California Basic Educational Skills Test

Work Experience: Valid teaching credential or certificate of clearance

Contact

Phone: (714) 984-0146

Email: kcook@graduateprogram.org

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

One of the country's most prominent Christian colleges, Liberty University is a major provider of distance education, with more than 400 online programs that serve students around the world. The school also hosts one of the best online master's in school counseling programs for Christian students.

Typically requiring about 2.5 years to complete, Liberty's 48-credit degree prepares graduates to serve as counselors in Christian K-12 schools. Liberty's online graduates boast a 91.6% job-placement rate.

While course content primarily occurs online, Liberty requires counseling students to visit its campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, for intensive residency sessions. Usually lasting one week at at time, these campus sessions provide opportunity for collaborative learning and networking with peers and faculty.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Education in School Counseling

School Status: Private

Tuition: $415/credit

Credit Requirements: 48 credits

Program Length: 2.5 years

Delivery

Format: Hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 3.0 minimum

Contact

Phone: (800) 424-9596

Email: luograd@liberty.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

A major public college based in Greenville, North Carolina, ECU enrolls more than 28,000 students annually. The school's distance education program offers more than 120 online degrees and certificates, including one of the region's best online master's in school counseling degrees.

This 60-credit program includes a 45-credit core curriculum that covers major topics in counseling research, theory, and practice. Students complete 15 credits of electives to match their professional interests, commonly in areas such as psychology, education, sociology, and human environmental sciences.

All degree candidates must complete a three-credit practicum along with a six-credit internship, both of which occur in an approved education setting within the students' own communities. While ECU offers most coursework online, learners may need to visit campus for some activities.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Science in Counselor Education

School Status: Public

Tuition: $249/credit in-state; $894/credit out-of-state

Credit Requirements: 60 credits

Program Length: 2 years

Delivery

Format: Hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

Standardized Tests: GRE or MAT

Contact

Phone: (252) 328-4218

Email: crowea@ecu.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

A Lutheran college based in Mequon, CUW offers one of the best online master's in school counseling degrees in the Midwest. Focused on professional education for Christian students, CUW reports a 90% job-placement rate among all graduates.

The school's master of science in education - school and professional counseling requires a minimum of 45 credits, focusing on topics including counseling theory, human growth and development, social and cultural foundations, and helping relationships. Students who lack teaching certification must take an additional course in management for counselors.

Program graduates qualify for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's School Counseling license. Licensure candidates must complete a professional portfolio that demonstrates an understanding of Wisconsin's pupil service standards. Out-of-state students should consult their state licensing agency to determine eligibility.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Science in Education - School and Professional Counseling

School Status: Private

Available Concentrations: Christian counseling certificate

Tuition: $614/credit

Credit Requirements: 45 credits

Delivery

Format: 100% online

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Contact

Phone: (262) 243-4300

Email: graduate.admission@cuw.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

A private, nondenominational, Christian liberal arts college, USW offers both undergraduate and graduate education from its campus in Hobbs, New Mexico. The school hosts a fully online master of science in education in school counseling, which prepares graduates for New Mexico state school counselor licensure.

USW's 42-credit curriculum covers topics including career development, psychoeducational assessment, counseling ethics, and crisis counseling. Students can also choose from an assortment of elective courses that cover specialized subjects such as play therapy, human sexuality, family counseling, and addictions counseling.

All candidates complete both a 60-hour counseling practicum and a 300-hour counseling internship. Typically taking place in a K-12 education setting, these supervised experiences build skills in working with diverse populations, deploying varied counseling methods, and recognizing appropriate supervision strategies.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Science in Education in School Counseling

School Status: Private

Tuition: $625/credit

Credit Requirements: 42 credits

Delivery

Format: 100% online

Instruction Style: Asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 3.0 minimum

Contact

Phone: (833) 879-4723 ext. 710

Email: skrohn@usw.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

A Roman Catholic college located in South Orange, New Jersey, Seton Hall ranks among the top Catholic schools in the country. Seton Hall offers a combined master of arts/education specialist degree in professional counseling, which requires 60 credits and about two years to complete.

The counseling program uses a cohort format in which students progress through most coursework as a group. The interdisciplinary curriculum covers topics such as multicultural counseling and psychology, abnormal psychology, and counselor ethics in practice.

The program also includes two required residencies held on campus. Lasting about four days each, these sessions occur at the beginning of the program and again during the second year. Residencies give students the chance to meet with peers and faculty for collaborative learning and other activities.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Arts/Educational Specialist in Professional Counseling

Tuition: $1,260/credit

Credit Requirements: 60 credits

Program Length: 2 years

Delivery

Format: Hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 3.0 minimum

Standardized Tests: GRE or MAT

Contact

Phone: (973) 761-9668

Email: diana.minakakis@shu.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

Serving more than 11,000 students from its campus in Williamsburg, Kentucky, Cumberlands hosts a major distance education program that includes one of the region's best online master's in school counseling degrees.

The counseling curriculum requires a minimum of 45 credits and covers topics such as issues and trends in special education, counseling individuals with diverse needs, and psychological assessments. Cumberlands also offers accelerated eight-week courses that enable students to earn credits quickly, with some graduating in as few as 10 months.

All degree candidates complete a practicum and an internship. The practicum includes both on-site and online activities and requires students to pass a comprehensive exam before they begin fieldwork. The internship serves as the program's culminating experience, building a connection between academic and professional practice.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Arts in Education

School Status: Private

Available Concentrations: School counseling

Tuition: $315/credit

Credit Requirements: 45 credits

Program Length: 18 months

Delivery

Format: Hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 2.75 minimum

Standardized Tests: GRE or MAT (waived with a valid teaching license)

Contact

Phone: (606) 539-4390

Email: gradadm@ucumberlands.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

A Jesuit college based in Omaha, Nebraska, Creighton hosts some of the country's top online graduate programs, including one of the best online master's in school counseling degrees. The school's master of science in school counseling and preventive mental health offers three concentration options: elementary, secondary, or preK-12 guidance counseling.

The degree features a 36-credit curriculum based on American School Counselor Association standards. Students complete courses covering topics such as individual and program assessment, child and adolescent development, and action research in school counseling.

While the program accepts applicants without teaching certification, these candidates must complete two additional education practicum experiences. Nebraska residents who lack teaching certification must complete additional courses to meet state licensing standards, including school culture and curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Science in School Counseling and Preventive Mental Health

School Status: Private

Available Concentrations: Elementary school counseling; secondary school counseling; preK-12 guidance counseling

Tuition: $577/credit

Credit Requirements: 36 credits

Program Length: 2 years

Delivery

Format: 100% online

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 3.0 minimum

Contact

Phone: (402) 280-2703

Email: online@creighton.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

Ranked among the top colleges in Alabama for its educational and career outcomes for graduates, UWA has one of the state's best online master's in school counseling degrees. The school's fully online master of education in school counseling emphasizes advocacy, assessment, counseling services, and evaluation techniques.

The 48-credit degree curriculum includes nine credits of professional courses and 39 credits of certification area courses. The professional core covers foundational topics in education research, statistics, and lifespan development. The certification area explores specialized topics such as crisis intervention, diagnostic techniques, and group counseling.

The program leads to Alabama Class A teaching certification, though applicants must hold a bachelor's-level Professional Educator certificate to be eligible for master's-level certification. Out-of-state students should consult their state licensing board to determine their eligibility for certification.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Education in School Counseling

School Status: Public

Tuition: $429/credit

Credit Requirements: 48 credits

Program Length: 1-2 years

Delivery

Format: 100% online

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

Work Experience: 2 years

Contact

Phone: (844) 900-3037

Email: uwaonline@uwa.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

Based in Harrogate, Tennessee, LMU's 1,000-acre campus borders the Cumberland Gap, located at the intersection of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. This private liberal arts school enrolls around 4,800 students annually, offering an online master of education with a concentration in preK-12 school counseling.

The 60-credit degree curriculum includes a 36-credit counseling core and a 24-credit school counseling specialization. The specialization section covers both counseling and education topics, with courses such as school law; foundations of American education; curriculum, instruction, and assessment; and motivational theory and classroom management.

All counseling candidates complete 700 total hours of professional fieldwork, including a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. The internship pairs with a six-credit seminar course in which students connect academic theory to their professional experiences.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Education

School Status: Private

Available Concentrations: PreK-12 school counseling; mental health

Tuition: $475/credit

Credit Requirements: 60 credits

Program Length: 2 years

Delivery

Format: 100% online

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

Standardized Tests: GRE, MAT, or Praxis-Principles of Learning and Teaching

Contact

Phone: (865) 531-4110

Email: kristen.smith862@LMUnet.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

One of the oldest and largest colleges in North Dakota, UND offers one of the best online master's in school counseling programs in the Midwest. The college boasts strong educational outcomes, with 96% of surveyed UND graduates either employed or pursuing further education.

Distance learners can access the majority of the program's content online, but students must visit the UND campus in Grand Forks for two residency sessions held each summer for a total of four campus visits. Lasting four days each, these sessions typically run Wednesday through Saturday and take place during June and July.

All students must also perform a local practicum and internship in an education environment within their own community. The one-semester practicum requires 150 hours, while the two-semester internship requires 450 hours for licensed teachers and 600 hours for unlicensed degree candidates.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Arts in Counseling

School Status: Public

Available Concentrations: K-12 school counseling

Tuition: $464/credit

Credit Requirements: 60 credits

Program Length: 2.5 years

Delivery

Format: Hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Synchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 2.75 minimum

Contact

Phone: (701) 777-6206

Email: allyssa.baumbach@UND.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

Offering one of the top online master's in school counseling programs in the Great Plains, UNK serves as a major center of counselor education in Nebraska, training 21% of all school counselors in the state. The school's counseling master of science in education offers concentrations in elementary or secondary counseling.

This two-year program uses a blended format that mixes online courses with campus residencies held during the summers. Students can complete coursework entirely online during the fall and spring semesters, while summers are dedicated to campus courses such as group counseling and problem solving behavioral assessment.

The program prepares graduates for Nebraska School Counselor Endorsement, obtained after successfully completing the Praxis School Counselor Assessment. Candidates without an undergraduate education degree must complete additional courses to earn their endorsement.

Program Overview

Program Name: Counseling Master of Science in Education

School Status: Public

Available Concentrations: Elementary preK-8; secondary 7-12

Tuition: $309/credit in-state; $494/credit out-of-state

Credit Requirements: 43 credits

Program Length: 2 years

Delivery

Format: Hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 2.75 minimum

Contact

Phone: (308) 865-8508

Email: unkcsp@unk.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

An interdenominational Christian college located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Regent serves as a center of distance education in the region. The school offers a respected online master's in school counseling degree. This professionally focused program prepares counselors to work in K-12 public schools, boasting an 85% job-placement rate among recent graduates.

Regent's master of arts in school counseling requires a minimum of 60 credits, including 45 credits of core counseling courses and 15 credits of school counseling specialization courses. The school counseling section delves into advanced topics including child and adolescent counseling and program development and evaluation.

While Regent offers most courses fully online, all candidates must visit campus for two week-long residency sessions. These sessions include collaborative learning activities, mentorship and networking opportunities, and information sessions covering issues such as licensure and exams.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Arts in School Counseling

School Status: Private

Tuition: $710/credit

Credit Requirements: 60 credits

Program Length: 2 years

Delivery

Format: Hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 3.0 minimum

Standardized Tests: GRE or MAT

Contact

Phone: (757) 352-4498

Email: psycounadmissions@regent.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

A major public research college based in Corvallis, OSU hosts a sizeable distance education program, serving more than 10,000 online students annually. The school's distance offerings include one of the best online master's in school counseling degrees on the West Coast.

OSU's counseling program uses a hybrid format that features 50% online content and 50% classroom content. In-person courses occur during two weekends each term in Wilsonville, about 15 miles outside of Portland. Campus components emphasize active learning, while online components focus on flexible guided learning activities.

Along with campus sessions, students complete practicum and internship activities during the program's second and third years. Typically performed at a local K-12 school, these field experiences also include synchronous online components that require specific login times.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Counseling: School Counseling

School Status: Public

Tuition: $560/credit

Credit Requirements: 75 credits

Program Length: 3 years

Delivery

Format: Hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 3.0 minimum

Contact

Phone: (800) 667-1465

Email: natalie.charbonneau@oregonstate.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

A private college in West Branch, New Jersey, Monmouth hosts one of the best online master's in school counseling programs on the East Coast. The master of science in education in school counseling covers topics including behavioral issues, group facilitation, assessment strategies, social justice, and diversity.

Degree candidates complete 700 hours of counseling fieldwork, with three individual placement experiences distributed across three semesters. Monmouth expects students to complete fieldwork assignments at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, with all students encouraged to complete at least one placement in a lower-income school district.

This professionally focused program prepares students for several professional credentials, including national certified counselor, licensed professional counselor, student assistance coordinator, and director of school counseling. The curriculum also prepares students to work toward the national certified school counselor designation with additional experience.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Science in Education in School Counseling

School Status: Private

Tuition: $1,233/credit

Credit Requirements: 48 credits

Program Length: 2-3 years

Delivery

Format: 100% online or hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 3.0 minimum

Contact

Phone: (732) 263-5542

Email: vsmith@monmouth.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

Ranked among the top historically black colleges and universities in the South, NCCU serves more than 8,000 students from its campus in Durham. The school's master of arts in school counseling stresses best practices for aiding the personal, social, academic, and career development of K-12 students.

This program uses a fully online format with no required campus visits. The curriculum stresses multiculturalism, ethical training, and theoretical development, with courses exploring topics such as clinical interventions, vocational theory, gender issues, and education research.

As one of the best online master's in school counseling degrees in the South, NCCU's program holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. The program is also part of the International Registry of Counselor Education Programs.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Arts in School Counseling

School Status: Public

Tuition: $257/credit in-state; $892/credit out-of-state

Credit Requirements: 51 credits

Delivery

Format: Hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 2.7 minimum

Standardized Tests: GRE

Contact

Phone: (919) 530-6182

Email: pwhiting@nccu.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

Based in Emporia, Kansas, ESU hosts one of only two counseling programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs in the state. Since its founding in 1947, ESU's Teachers College has produced more school counselors than any other institution in Kansas.

ESU's master of science in school counseling offers several pathways to state licensure, including options for students with no teaching license or counseling background. The school's direct-entry program enables students to qualify for school counselor licensure by completing six additional credits and 70 hours of fieldwork.

ESU offers its program in a hybrid format that combines online and campus courses. Students can complete in-person requirements either at the main campus in Emporia or the branch campus in Overland Park, which is part of the Kansas City metro area.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Science in School Counseling

School Status: Public

Tuition: $266/credit in-state; $400/credit out-of-state

Credit Requirements: 48-54 credits

Program Length: 2.5-3 years

Delivery

Format: Hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 3.0 minimum

Contact

Phone: (620) 341-5220

Email: cdorvak@emporia.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

A public college based in the west Texas city of San Angelo, ASU offers one of the state's best online master's in school counseling programs. Ideal for working students, this 48-credit program occurs entirely online, with no campus sessions required.

ASU provides generous funding for students, and more than a third graduate without student debt. All graduate students are eligible for Carr Academic Graduate Scholarships, awarded automatically based on undergraduate GPA and do not require students to apply for aid.

While the program admits applicants who lack teaching credentials, only teachers with two or more years of experience qualify to sit for the Texas Examination of Educator Standards, which results in a Professional Certificate for School Counselors.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Science in Professional School Counseling

School Status: Public

Tuition: $6,860/year in-state; $14,330/year out-of-state

Credit Requirements: 48 credits

Delivery

Format: 100% online

Admission Requirements

GPA: 2.75 minimum

Contact

Phone: (325) 486-6775

Email: lesley.casarez@angelo.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter

A public urban college with an enrollment of more than 16,000, UMass Boston hosts one of the best online master's in school counseling programs in New England. Students benefit from the resources of the UMass System while receiving the experience of a smaller college.

This 60-credit degree uses a cohort model, which requires students to complete all courses together in a set sequence. Due to this course format, UMass Boston requires all online students to enroll full time and to complete nine credits each semester. The program typically takes two years to complete.

While distance learners can access all coursework online, all candidates must attend a two-week residency held on the UMass Dartmouth campus, located about an hour south of Boston. Typically occurring in the summer, the residency includes two clinical courses and opportunities for interacting with faculty and peers.

Program Overview

Program Name: Master of Education in School Counseling

School Status: Public

Tuition: $575/credit

Credit Requirements: 60 credits

Program Length: 2 years

Delivery

Format: Hybrid (online/on campus)

Instruction Style: Synchronous and asynchronous

Admission Requirements

GPA: 3.0 minimum

Standardized Tests: GRE

Work Experience: 1 year of human services experience (work, volunteer, internship and research experience)

Contact

Phone: (617) 287-5000

Email: amy.cook@umb.edu

Social Media Accounts: Facebook; Twitter