Online Master’s in School Counseling Degree
Online Master’s in School Counseling Degree
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Upon completing the master’s degree in school counseling, you will be expected to have the necessary tools to help struggling young learners overcome obstacles while they prepare for the next step in their educational journey.
Continuing education provides aspiring school counselors with opportunities to:
To learn more about earning your Master of Education in School Counseling, please review our responses to some common questions about this degree and career field.
The terms guidance counselor and school counselor are often used interchangeably but represent distinct roles. Guidance counselors focus primarily on post-graduation planning and vocational guidance, addressing student needs on a case-by-case basis. In contrast, school counselors take a holistic and proactive approach, addressing students’ academic, social emotional and mental wellness while implementing guidance programs. School counselors are highly educated professionals, typically holding a master’s degree, and are integral to student success, bridging the gap between educational challenges and personal growth.3
At the baccalaureate level, degree options for a career in school counseling vary. Although there are no universal requirements, a bachelor’s degree in counseling, education, social work, psychology or a related field is generally ideal. At the graduate level, you will need to earn a master’s degree in school counseling that allows you to meet the licensure requirements for the state in which you plan to work.4
Earning an advanced degree in counseling is worth it for anyone who wants to work with students to support their academic, behavioral and social development. School counselors have the potential to have a significant impact in the school environment, and are necessary in supporting students, teachers and parents.
You are typically required to have at least a master’s degree that focuses on school counseling in order to work as a school counselor, along with meeting state licensure or certification requirements. Each state has different certification requirements for school counselors, but they generally include a master’s degree, internship and/or practicum hours and a passing score on an exam.4 Be sure to know your state’s requirements before choosing a graduate degree program.
Many universities offer online school counseling programs for greater scheduling convenience and geographic flexibility.1 When choosing an online degree program, it’s important to ensure that it meets state standards for licensure/certification. GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offering programs that meet high education standards with approved, reviewed curriculum.
Schools need school counselors to help students overcome challenges and to foster a safe, inclusive school environment for all. Graduates with a master’s in school counseling and any other required credentials may pursue various positions in education and counseling settings. With the goal of helping to support and empower them as they work toward their future, you can be in a position to make a genuine difference in the lives of your students.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates job growth for school and career counselors and advisors to be 4% from 2023 to 2033, faster than average. This indicates that schools expect to hire about 16,200 new professionals during this time period.5
In 2023, school and career counseling and advisor jobs in the United States totaled about 360,800, according to the BLS. The largest employer of these professionals was elementary and secondary schools, both public and private. These organizations employed about 45% of all school and career counselors and advisors. State, local and private universities, colleges, junior colleges and professional schools employed 38%.2
Prepare to guide and inspire students toward brighter futures with a MEd in School Counseling.
The Master of Education (MEd) in School Counseling degree program at Grand Canyon University offers individuals with a bachelor’s degree the opportunity to seek certification and pursue a career as a school counselor. This master’s degree leads to initial licensure and serves as the next step for professional growth in two fields — education and counseling.
As a future school counselor, you may choose to obtain a master’s in school counseling to enjoy opportunities to expand your knowledge base and advance your skill set to become an advocate for pre-K-12 students. Throughout their school years, students may encounter challenging circumstances such as bullying, drug use, homelessness and poverty, social development, mental health concerns and instances of violence/trauma. This program is designed to equip you to empower students to tackle a myriad of challenges so they can live up to their full academic and personal potential.
Earning your online school counselor degree from an accredited university indicates a quality education that meets professional requirements. You can benefit from a current curriculum, experienced faculty and resources that can prepare you for a career in school counseling. The Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968, demonstrating our commitment to our students and the quality of our programs.
This graduate degree is informed by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model to support growth in academic achievement, career and social-emotional development. GCU’s school counseling program fosters the development of school counselors in training to advocate for models of school-based collaboration with school stakeholders.
The curriculum for this program is:
Pursuing a graduate degree in counseling can equip you with the skills to intervene and provide support for children and adolescents facing difficult school-related and personal issues. Additionally, you will receive training on effectively collaborating with parents, guardians and school personnel with an eye toward cultivating a school environment that meets the unique needs of your students.
As a Christian university, GCU designs programs with a faith-integrated curriculum that reflects the university’s Christian worldview. At GCU, you can develop into more than a school counselor — you can grow into a compassionate servant leader with strong ethics and morals that can help make a positive difference in the lives of children.
This master’s in school counseling online program is designed to offer flexibility while supporting a collaborative learning environment. Throughout the program, you will study under knowledgeable faculty and counseling professionals and have the opportunity to network with peers.
The courses in this initial licensure counseling degree program are offered online.1 In-person practicum internship hours are also required to meet the necessary field experience for Arizona licensure and the completion of this master’s program.
As a graduate student at GCU, you must have access to pre-approved pre-K-12 schools to complete program requirements. This program includes 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours for a total of 700 hours of experiential education. Learn more about graduate admission requirements.
This degree program can equip you with the career readiness to advocate for students’ well-being and create a supportive learning environment, helping them navigate academic, social and emotional challenges.
This online master’s in school counseling program was developed to instill a firm academic foundation of school counseling competencies, with an eye toward modern challenges in school environments.
With a solid framework of school counseling competencies, you may consider pursuing various careers in education, including:
School counselor
Career counselor
Educational advisor
Percentage of school and career counselors and advisors employed by state, local and private universities, junior/colleges, and professional schools2
Percentage of school and career counselors and advisors employed by elementary and secondary schools, both public and private2
Online: $615 per credit [More Info]
The coursework in this program is non-transferable from other institutions.
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
If you are seeking licensure/certification, please refer to the Accreditation and Compliance/State disclosures link for the specific program of interest’s website for your location and/or employment state licensure requirements, per 34 CFR 668.14(b)32 and 668.43(c).
1 Excluding observational and practice-based experiences and student teaching.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). School and Career Counselors and Advisors: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Dec. 5, 2024.
3 American School Counselor Association. School Counselor Roles & Ratios (Guidance Counselor vs. School Counselor). Retrieved on Nov. 25, 2024.
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). How To Become a School or Career Counselor or Advisor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on May 10, 2024.
5 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Handbook, School and Career Counselors and Advisors, retrieved on April 9, 2024.
