Why Pursue an Online Master's Degree in School Counseling?
All states require school counselors to be licensed and to have at least a master's degree in the field before they can practice. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 44% of school counselors work in elementary or secondary schools, while 34% work in other types of educational settings, including professional or technical schools, community colleges, and four-year colleges and universities. Several institutions offer a master's in school counseling on-campus and online, and since school counselors can work with different student populations, master's programs offer a range of courses. In general, enrollees in a master's in school counseling program can expect to study topics such as crisis intervention, educational leadership, human growth and development, and multicultural issues in counseling.
Professionals in this field often find that pursuing a master's in school counseling has advantages. It equips them with the necessary knowledge and skills to help students overcome academic, emotional, and psychological barriers. A master's in school counseling is also a prudent professional decision—employment opportunities are robust for this sector. Median salaries are quite high at $55,410, and BLS projects a growth rate of 13% from 2016 to 2026.
Choosing an Online School Counseling Program
Obtaining a master's in school counseling is a considerable investment of time and money, and the length of time it takes to earn one largely depends on whether a student enrolls on a full-time or part-time basis. Most programs take two to three years to complete. The field of specialization a student opts for may also impact the amount of time it will take them to complete the program. The average cost of a master's degree program at public universities in the United States today is $8,670 per year. This rate applies to in-state students only. Out-of-state students pay more and tuition at most private universities is typically much higher. Most graduate students qualify for some level of assistance from the government, the university itself, or private organizations. However, they must be enrolled in an accredited program to be considered for financial assistance. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) is the recognized accrediting body in the field. Attending a CACREP-accredited program often increases the likelihood of receiving financial assistance.
Online master's in school counseling programs have the same rigor and academic requirements as their on-campus versions. Some online programs have periodic on-campus requirements, while others can be completed without any campus visits. Regardless of whether they choose an on-campus or online master's in school counseling program, students can expect to learn about topics such as fundamental counseling skills, law and ethics for school counselors, and introduction to educational research.
Types of School Counseling Degrees
There are three kinds of post-baccalaureate degrees in the field of school counseling. The master of education (M.Ed.) is a common degree choice for school counselors. Most M.Ed. programs require applicants to have an undergraduate degree in education or psychology. It focuses on topics such as education theory and foundation of educational and psychological measurement. Some M.Ed. programs require graduates to complete a practical project, while others require a portfolio or a comprehensive exam.
A master of science (MS) program in school counseling focuses on the counseling aspect of the degree. The MS is more research-focused and most require students to complete a research project or write a thesis to graduate. Students enroll in courses on specialized counseling in elementary and secondary schools, and the philosophy, organization, and administration of guidance services.
Graduates who hold bachelor's degrees in fields other than education or psychology often pursue a master of arts (MA) degree in school counseling as a way to practice in the field. Most MA programs require a thesis to graduate.
These three degrees typically take two years of full-time study to complete. Starting salaries for M.Ed. and MA degree holders are at similar levels ($41,473 and $42,980, respectively), while the starting salary of an MS graduate is slightly higher at $47,851.
Entry Requirements
Requirements for admission into a master's in school counseling program differ among schools. For example, some schools require applicants to take the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or the MAT (Miller Analogies Test) to be considered for admission. Most programs require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree, preferably in the field of education or psychology. However, as stated above, holders of bachelor's degrees in other fields can still earn a master's in school counseling by enrolling in an MA program, rather than an MS or M.Ed. Most M.Ed. programs require candidates to have some type of experience in education, and teaching experience is often preferred. MS and MA programs typically do not have this requirement.
No matter the degree, schools prefer applicants with a history of academic excellence, and an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is often one of the entry requirements. Other common admission requirements include letters of recommendation, an essay or statement of intent, and a resume.
Directory of Accredited Master's in School Counseling Programs
Schools
Master's in School Counseling Licensure and Certifications
Every state has its own unique set of requirements for school counseling licensure. With few exceptions, states require license applicants to have completed at least a master's in school counseling degree. Some states, like Arkansas and Kansas, require applicants to have a teaching license (or at least be eligible for one) before they can be certified as school counselors. A majority of the states require applicants to pass a skills and knowledge test prior to licensure. Some states have their own state board exam for licensure, while others, like Pennsylvania, Oregon, and West Virginia, use the Praxis tests. Reciprocity agreements do exist among some states, but license applicants still have to meet the receiving state's requirements prior to licensure. Most states also require license applicants to have some form of practical experience in school counseling, such as an internship, supervised field work as part of a master's program, or actual work experience.
School counselors can opt to pursue the National Certified Counselor (NCC) designation from the National Board for Certified Counselors. NCC candidates must take and pass either the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE). NCCs have access to the organization's resources, including a peer-reviewed journal with the most current research in counseling. Although an NCC designation does not take the place of state licensure, achieving it is proof that a school counselor has met the national standards of the organization and is a highly qualified professional counselor.
What Can You Do With an Online Master's in School Counseling?
As previously stated, BLS projects a 13% growth rate in the field of school and career counseling from 2016 to 2026. Rising student populations at practically all levels of primary and secondary education have fueled the need for school counselors to help students successfully navigate the corridors of learning. On the college level, school counselors often take on specialized functions such as career counseling and professional skills assessment. They perform a crucial role in a college student's transition into the workforce and adulthood.
How Much Does a School Counselor Make With a Master's Degree?
Paying for Your Online Master's in School Counseling
Some schools offer payment plans for graduate students who opt to pay for their degrees out of pocket. Payments are usually staggered over the course of the student's duration of study. There are third-party agencies that can provide this service for the schools, but they will often charge a higher interest rate for facilitating the process. For students unable to pay out of pocket, there are other options.
Financial Aid
Students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Application forms are available online, at college or university admission offices, and most public libraries. It typically takes 3 to 5 days for the government to process an electronic application and generate a student aid report (SAR). Mailed applications may take up to two weeks. The same information contained in a student's SAR is sent electronically to the list of schools on a student's application. Most schools disburse FAFSA funds once each semester, usually at the beginning of the term. Schools typically direct excess funds back to the student. Most colleges and universities compile a financial package for accepted students, which can contain federal loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. It is often wise for students to take out federal, rather than private, loans to fund their education. Federal student loans have a fixed interest rate that is lower than private loans. They are also subsidized, which means the U.S. government pays for the loan's interest as long as the student is enrolled. Additionally, students do not have to start paying back a federal student loan until after graduation.
Work-Study Programs
Only students with demonstrable financial need and enrollment in a college or university participating in the Federal Work-Study Program can apply for assistance through this route. Most students receive at least the current minimum wage, although graduate students are sometimes paid a higher hourly rate. Some schools disburse the funds directly to students as they earn it, while others apply the amount to the student's expenses. The program encourages students to seek employment in fields that are closely related to their area of study.
Tuition Reimbursement Programs
Many companies now have tuition reimbursement programs as a way of attracting and keeping talented employees. Keep in mind that most of these programs will only reimburse students enrolled in courses that are directly or closely related to their line of work. Additionally, as the name suggests, the program only covers tuition reimbursement; the added costs of attending classes such as gas, parking, and course materials are often not reimbursable. Some companies require employees who take advantage of their tuition-reimbursement program to remain with the company for a certain number of years.
Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships
Grants, scholarships, and fellowships do not need to be repaid. Grants are often need-based, meaning they are awarded to students based on their financial circumstances. Scholarships are often based on merit and are awarded to students who meet certain criteria such as academic excellence or athletic ability. This distinction is not always clear since some scholarships also take a student's financial circumstances into consideration. A fellowship is often awarded to graduate students in a specialist field so they can focus on their research.
Scholarships for Online Master's in School Counseling Degrees
American Addiction Centers' Behavioral Health Academic Scholarship Program $2,500 to $5,000
Betty W. Robbins Endowed Scholarship Up to $2,000
Esther Katz Rosen Fund Scholarship $1,000 to $50,000
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Foundation Military Scholarship $8,000
Ross Trust Future School Counselors Essay Competition $1,000
Resources for Master's in School Counseling Students
- American Counseling Association (ACA) ACA's 56,000 members have access to educational conferences, journals, publications, and webinars on topics that impact the counseling field across multiple specialty areas. ACA has a special interest network specifically for professional counselors in school settings.
- American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Members receive discounts to regional, national, and international conferences and have access to various resources, such as free sample lesson plans, handbooks, and industry publications.
- Association of Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC) This organization provides its members with professional development opportunities and various educational materials and seeks to improve the standards of counseling practice with children and adolescents.
- International School Counselor Association (ISCA) ISCA is a professional organization of counselors working in international schools. It provides a collaborative network for advocacy and leadership for school counselors in a global community.
- National Career Development Association (NCDA) Career counselors gain access to industry-relevant resources that include print and online publications, credentialing information, training manuals, and indexed digital articles written by experts in the field.