Master's in School Counseling
Support Students Beyond the Classroom
Schools are tasked with the responsibility to address not only the academic needs of our students, but also their social and emotional growth and development. School counselors, by providing professional counseling, assessment, consultation, and guidance services, are crucial players in student achievement. Learn more about the role of a school counselor >
GSEHD ensures that our students are prepared to lead classrooms, groups and individual counseling sessions successfully addressing the critical concerns affecting the psycho-social, academic and career well-being of K-12 students. The master's program in school counseling includes classroom, laboratory and field-site education and training. The program also includes a two-semester internship during which interns deliver counseling services under supervision both in the program’s Community Counseling Services Center, a fully equipped training facility, and at schools in the community.
Gain Credentials
Graduates are eligible to become a Certified School Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor with a specialty in Children and Adolescents, and/or a Registered Play Therapist.
ASCA Focused, Nationally Accredited
Accredited by CACREP and CAEP, our program builds on the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) standards of excellence.
Supportive Community
Cohort members quickly evolve into professional learning communities who encourage and support each other, creating a supportive grad school experience.
Convenient Schedule
Classes are conducted two nights a week on the Alexandria, VA, campus to accommodate working professionals and internships.
The GW Advantage
Unique to the DC, Maryland, Virginia (DMV) area, our location gives students in the Counseling & Human Development Department access to urban or suburban; public, charter, or private schools. This allows students to examine, compare, and contrast schools with widely different student populations, structures, and demographics.
Degree:
Master of Arts in Education and Human Development in the Field of School Counseling
Department:
Counseling and Human Development
Course Delivery:
On-Campus: Alexandria, VA
Program Entry:
Summer - Session II
- Curriculum
The following requirements must be fulfilled: 60 credits, including 54 credits in required courses and 6 credits in elective courses. Three elective credits must be from either a child development or an adolescent development course.
Students also must complete 600 hours as part of the required internships (300 hours in each of CNSL 6185 and CNSL 6186) and 100 hours as part of the required practicum (CNSL 6269).
Code Title Required CNSL 6114 Introduction to Research and Evaluation in Counselor Education CNSL 6151 Professional and Ethical Orientation to Counseling CNSL 6153 Counseling Interview Skills CNSL 6154 Theories and Techniques of Counseling CNSL 6155 Career Counseling CNSL 6157 Individual Assessment in Counseling CNSL 6161 Group Counseling CNSL 6163 Social and Cultural Dimensions of Counseling CNSL 6169 Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling CNSL 6171 Family Counseling CNSL 6173 Diagnosis and Treatment Planning CNSL 6174 Trauma and Crisis Intervention CNSL 6185 Internship in Counseling CNSL 6186 Advanced Internship in Counseling CNSL 6269 Practicum in Counseling CNSL 6466 Foundations of School Counseling K–12 CNSL 6467 Coordination of Comprehensive School Counseling Services HDEV 6108 Life Span Human Development Electives 6 credits in elective courses selected in consultation with advisor. - Program Outcomes
Graduates are eligible to be a Certified School Counselor, a Licensed Professional Counselor with a specialty in Children and Adolescents, and/or a Registered Play Therapist.
Starting in the summer, first year of classes hones counseling skills through rigorous course work exploring effective school based theory, research, interventions and strategies and through practical lab experience in the Community Counseling Services Center working with children, teens and adults from the region.
The second year experience includes internships in elementary, middle and high schools, preparing you to serve as a licensed professional upon graduation. Counselor interns support individuals and groups helping students manage issues ranging from self esteem, academic performance, family, stress, anxiety, grief, and loss.
The experience of cohort members enhance the classroom learning experience while strengthening skills to assess, support and engage with students and their families as well as with school leaders and peers in both a community counseling or school counseling setting to build student identity, self esteem, coping skills and to help manage stress, loss, and grief.- Program Data
Data from 2022-2023*
- Retention Rate: 90%
- 2021-2022 Cost: $950 credit hour
- Scholarships: Merit based
- Employment Rate (at 6 months graduation): 100%
- Employment Settings: K-12 schools
- Licensure Eligibility: Students with a 60 hour degree program are eligible for licensure as Professional Counselors (LPC). Requirements vary by state.
- NCE Passing Rate: 100%
- Accreditation Status: Accredited by CACREP through 2030. Program has been accredited since 1984.
- Average Fall Enrollment: 45
- Number of Graduates: 17
- Predicted Job Outlook (2014-2024): 8% expected increase, compared to 7% expected increase in total US jobs. (Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)
NOTE: Costs are 2022-2023; enrollment is Fall 2023; retention is calculated over the past year.
Apply Now
GSEHD’s Office of Admissions invites you to apply for a spot in our program. Please review the following admission and financial information.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Review our step-by-step guide to applying to GSEHD >
To learn more about the program, admission process, and upcoming events, please connect with the GSEHD Admissions Team at education@gwu.edu or 202-994-9283.
| Apply Now | Schedule Consultation with Admissions Coach |
To be considered for admission, applicants must submit the online application form as well as the following required supporting documents. There is no application fee.
- Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree
- Resume
- Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
- Statement of Purpose
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Interview with faculty
- Information Session Attendance Strongly Encouraged
*Additional application requirements may exist for international applicants.
Applications are now being accepted for Summer 2025. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Application Timeline Summer Priority Deadline Nov 1 Round 1 Deadline Dec 15 Round 2 Deadline Jan 15 Round 3 Deadline March 1
For more information or to inquire about the next admissions cycle, contact the GSEHD Admissions Team at education@gwu.edu or 202-994-9283.
Tuition & Financial Aid
We know embarking upon graduate school is a big decision - due in part to the costs of attending. At GW, we understand the time and thought behind making graduate school work for you. Please take a moment to learn more about the options and opportunities available to help fund your graduate education.
Graduate tuition is charged per credit hour, unless otherwise noted. Rates vary by program and location.
The tuition rate* for the Master's in School Counseling program is $1,000 per credit hour.
This program requires 60 credits.
Please note: Additional fees may apply for international students, late fees, etc. Current tuition rates may be updated during the year.
*Summer 2024, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025
Scholarships are available to eligible admitted students. Review eligibility requirements and learn more about funding your education >
The School Counseling program offered me superb classroom instruction strengthened by practical training. I interned in DC Public Schools, improved my counseling skills in GSEHD’s Community Counseling Center and landed a great position working as a high school counselor for low-income, first-generation, college bound students.
DAN MINOT (MA '15)
Assistant Dean for Student and Academic Affairs
College of Education and Human Development | George Mason University
Career Outlook
Our graduates are supporting students and leading school counseling teams across the nation. With the addition of post-masters certification, our graduates are eligible for licensing for private practice.
Employment of school and career counselors and advisors is projected to grow 10 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.1
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, School and Career Counselors and Advisors, at bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm (visited November 28, 2022).
- School Counseling Career Opportunities
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K-12 Counselor
- Counseling Team Lead
- Career Counselor
- Behavior Specialist
- Director for Training School Counselors
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- Potential Employment Settings
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K-12 Public, Private, and Charter Schools
- Post-Secondary Settings
- Private Centers
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Department Chair and Professor, Counseling and Human Development
