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.

 

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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.

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ASCA Focused, Nationally Accredited
Accredited by CACREP and CAEP, our program builds on the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) standards of excellence.

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Supportive Community
Cohort members quickly evolve into professional learning communities who encourage and support each other, creating a supportive grad school experience.

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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.

 

 

 

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 Program at a Glance

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).

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 - CNS
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 2024. 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.

2022-2023 Counseling and Human Development Annual Report >

 

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 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
  • GRE is optional for students applying to enter the program in 2023
  • Interview
  • Information Session Attendance Strongly Encouraged

*Additional application requirements may exist for international applicants.

View more details about requirements   

Applications are currently being accepted on a case-by-case basis for Summer 2024. We encourage you to apply as early as possible. For more information or to inquire about the next admissions cycle, contact the GSEHD Admissions Team at education@gwu.edu or 202-994-9283.

Application Timeline Summer
Priority Deadline Nov 1
Round 1 Deadline Dec 15
Round 2 Deadline Jan 16
Round 3 Deadline March 1

 

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 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.

Learn more about scholarships, grants & financial aid 

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 $950 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 2023, Fall 2023 and Spring 2024

View the current fee chart  

Scholarships are available to eligible admitted students. Review eligibility requirements and learn more about funding your education >

 

 
Dan Minot headshot
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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

 

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 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
  • young male school counselor meets with group of elementary students sitting in a circle in the library
    K-12 Counselor
  • Counseling Team Lead
  • Career Counselor
  • Behavior Specialist
  • Director for Training School Counselors


 

Potential Employment Settings
  • counselor works with elementary student - photo credit: Freepik
    K-12 Public, Private, and Charter Schools
  • Post-Secondary Settings
  • Private Centers

 

 

 

 

School Counseling Faculty 

Dr. Mary DeRaedt

Clinical Assistant Professor, Counseling and Human Development

(202) 994-9711
Dr. Sylvia Marotta-Walters

Department Chair and Professor, Counseling and Human Development

Dr. Maggie Parker

Assistant Professor, Counseling and Human Development

(202) 994-8108

 

 

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