Master’s in school counseling programs

If you want to guide and advocate for students outside a traditional classroom setting, a career as a school counselor could be an excellent choice. Explore this guide to discover what a master's in school counseling can do for you.

What jobs can you get with an online master's in school counseling?

Master's in school counseling graduates typically need a license to work as school counselors. These professionals help students stay on track with their education and reach their personal and academic goals. Licensure requirements vary by state but often require a master's degree, a supervised internship or practicum, and a state-based assessment.

School counselors can work in elementary, middle, and high schools, and their responsibilities tend to vary at each level:

• Elementary school counselors might coordinate anti-bullying programs.
• Middle school counselors might facilitate student career assessments to gauge learners' interests and skills.
• High school counselors may help students plan their class schedules and prepare for graduation.

Salary expectations for school counseling roles

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), school and career counselors and advisors earned between a median annual salary of $61,710 — about $30 per hour — as of May 2023. Professionals, specifically in elementary and secondary schools, earned a median of $71,700 per year.

Your salary potential as a school counselor may depend on your prior experience as a teacher and your credentials (licensures or certifications).

Career outlook for school counseling roles

The BLS projects that jobs for school and career counselors and advisors will grow by 4% from 2023 to 2033, which is as fast as the average job growth rate across all occupations.

As students' educational, developmental, and career-planning needs continue to evolve at the K-12 level, the BLS expects the need for school counselors to grow to provide necessary support. Retiring education professionals could also open jobs for school counselors entering the field.

What can you learn in an online master's in school counseling program?

An online master's in school counseling program typically requires students to earn 48 to 60 credits and explores legal and ethical school counseling approaches, contemporary issues facing students, and intervention and assessment strategies.

Courses may include:

• Counseling theory
• Human development
• Classroom management
• Career and college readiness

Most school counseling master's degree programs also have internship and practicum requirements, which provide hands-on experience in school counseling settings. To complete these requirements, you'll usually work with a licensed school counselor to better understand your future responsibilities and how to navigate real situations.

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, the accrediting body for master's degree programs in school counseling, requires that programs have at least 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours.

What does an online master's in school counseling look like?

You can complete most master's in school counseling coursework online, but practicum and internship requirements usually must happen in person so you can work directly with students and other school counselors.

Many master's programs have a team of advisors or field placement specialists who can help you find schools in your area where you can complete your practicum and internship. Depending on the program, you may be able to extend the length of your degree if you need more time to complete these requirements.

Admissions requirements for an online master's in school counseling

The admissions requirements for an online master's in school counseling program vary by university. However, most universities require applicants to submit:

• Official college transcripts
• A personal statement
• An application
• Your GPA
• Proof of a
• A statement of purpose
• A résumé or CV
• Letters of recommendation

may also be beneficial, as many universities are placing a specific emphasis on equity and social justice.

How to Apply

After carefully reviewing each , you can apply online to the programs that resonate with you. With the convenience of online learning, you do not need to focus on location when picking a program for earning your advanced degree.

Yet, you may want to ask how and where you can fulfill the practicum requirements for accredited programs and state licensure.

Be sure to check admissions deadlines because many have multiple start dates. These deadlines give you more flexibility in choosing not only which program to attend but also when you start that program.