Best Master's in School Counseling Programs by Degrees Awarded
Ranked by the number of master's degrees awarded each year, the most established programs. The top 25 out of 402 programs reviewed from the IPEDS database.
- 1
Liberty University
- 382Master's/yr
- $50,470Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in School Counseling
- CACREP and CAEP accredited
- Online
About the programLiberty University offers a Master of Education in School Counseling, a fully online, 60 credit-hour program paced across a three-year, six-semester structure that reflects its dual CACREP and CAEP accreditation. The path is built to move candidates steadily from theory into practice, moving through a practicum and two internship courses while requiring two synchronous online sessions that keep an otherwise remote cohort connected in real time. Field placements are deliberately split between elementary and secondary settings, giving future counselors a feel for how student needs shift across grade levels. Graduates leave prepared for Virginia school counselor licensure, with a provisional route open to those without prior experience and full licensure following two years of teaching or counseling work. The PRAXIS 5422 exam or a state equivalent completes the credential. Together these pieces make it a good fit for working adults seeking a national counseling credential without leaving their region. As a master's degree in school counseling, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as educational in Virginia.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 382 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Lynchburg, VA, where elementary teachers earn a median $50,470, roughly $56,478 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 2
University of the Cumberlands
- 223Master's/yr
- $60,610State teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Education, School Counseling
- On-campus
About the programUniversity of the Cumberlands offers a Master of Arts in Education with a School Counseling (P-12) concentration, one track within a wide online degree that also houses literacy specialist, principal, special education, and teacher leader options. At 45 credit hours, the school counseling path runs longer than the university's standard 30-hour concentrations, a difference that reflects the added clinical and certification requirements the counseling role demands. Accreditation through the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation and recognition by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board place the program squarely within Kentucky's certification system. Its online delivery and connection to the state's Option 6 alternative certification route make it especially practical for candidates already working in schools. Some candidates may even be hired under temporary or provisional licensure while completing coursework, underscoring a design aimed at educators advancing on the job. Graduates of this school counseling program at the master's level often go on to work as educational.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 223 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Kentucky statewide, where elementary teachers earn a median $60,610, roughly $67,226 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 3
Grand Canyon University
- 202Master's/yr
- $59,180Metro teacher pay
- Master of Education in School Counseling (Leads to Initial Licensure)
- CACREP-accredited
- Online
About the programGrand Canyon University offers a Master of Education in School Counseling, an online, CACREP-accredited program that leads to initial school counselor licensure in Arizona. The curriculum is built around the ASCA National Model, giving candidates a nationally recognized framework for comprehensive school counseling programs rather than a loosely defined set of courses. Its most distinctive feature is a demanding 700 hours of field experience, 100 practicum hours plus 600 internship hours spread across three internship courses, which signals a program serious about supervised practice before candidates enter the field. Delivered as a single unified track, it keeps every student on the same well-defined path toward the K-12 counseling role. The online format combined with heavy clinical requirements suits those who want flexible study without shortcutting hands-on preparation. Earning a master's degree in school counseling is a common route toward becoming one of Arizona's educational.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 202 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ, where elementary teachers earn a median $59,180, roughly $57,281 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 4
Walden University
- 194Master's/yr
- $79,730Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in School Counseling
- Online
About the programWalden University offers a CACREP-accredited, online Master of Science in School Counseling that pairs a general path with an unusually wide slate of specializations. Beyond the core, students can layer in focus areas such as Addiction Counseling, Crisis and Trauma, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, Military Families and Culture, Play Therapy, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Telehealth and Private Practice, letting them tailor the degree toward the populations and settings they care about. The program is designed to prepare graduates to practice as licensed school counselors and is state-approved in Minnesota and Ohio, though candidates should confirm requirements elsewhere since some states expect prior teaching credentials. Residencies and field experiences keep the online study anchored in practice. An optional accelerated track lets full-time students in the general program move through more quickly. Earning a master's degree in school counseling is a common route toward becoming one of Minnesota's educational.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 194 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI, where elementary teachers earn a median $79,730, roughly $76,062 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 5
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
- 178Master's/yr
- Master of Education in School Counseling
- Online
About the programSoutheastern Oklahoma State University offers a fully online Master of Education in School Counseling built expressly for licensed teachers moving into a counseling role. Enrollment requires an existing teaching certificate, and the 42-hour curriculum is structured as accelerated, flexible courses that working educators can fit around classroom jobs. A pay-as-you-go tuition model and 100 percent online delivery reinforce that this is a degree meant to be earned without pausing a career. Housed in a CAEP-accredited school and reviewed through Oklahoma's Office of Educational Quality and Accountability, the program prepares teachers to serve as school counselors and career advisors. The overall shape reads as a practical, career-embedded path for teachers stepping into student support work. As a master's degree in school counseling, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as educational in Oklahoma.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 178 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 6
Capella University
- 158Master's/yr
- Master of Science in School Counseling
- Online
About the programCapella University offers a Master of Science in School Counseling built on the American School Counselor Association National Model and delivered through its competency-based, online GuidedPath format with 24/7 courseroom access and weekly deadlines. That structure, paired with required in-person residencies and CACREP-aligned fieldwork of 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours, blends self-paced flexibility with the supervised clinical experience the profession requires. Three specialization options in General School Counseling, Child and Adolescent Counseling, and Addiction Treatment and Recovery let candidates tailor the degree toward the populations they intend to serve. The program holds CACREP accreditation through March 2028 along with CAEP accreditation and Higher Learning Commission institutional standing. State-approved with licensure disclosures, it prepares graduates for school counseling credentialing. As a master's degree in school counseling, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as educational in Minnesota.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 158 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 7
Arkansas State University
- 147Master's/yr
- Master of Science in Education in School Counseling – General Concentration
- Online
About the programArkansas State University offers a Master of Science in Education in School Counseling built for accessibility, delivered 100% online and asynchronously across 48 credits. The General Concentration anchors the degree, with Crisis and Trauma and Special Populations concentrations available for candidates who want to sharpen a particular focus. Approved by the Arkansas Department of Education and CAEP-accredited, the program requires 700 clinical hours, 100 in practicum and 600 in internship, including 240 direct-service hours in K-12 schools, keeping fieldwork substantial despite the flexible online format. Notably, it requires no prior teaching experience for admission, opening the door to career-changers entering school counseling directly. That combination of asynchronous delivery, optional specializations, and open entry makes it a flexible route into the profession for a wide range of candidates. As a master's degree in school counseling, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as educational in Arkansas.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 147 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 8
Angelo State University
- 147Master's/yr
- Master of Education in School Counseling
- Texas Education Agency approved-accredited
- Online
About the programAngelo State University offers a Master of Education in School Counseling, a fully online, 48-credit program delivered in accelerated eight-week terms that fit the schedules of working educators. Approved by the Texas Education Agency for state certification, the program prepares graduates for the TExES Texas School Counselor Certificate and reports a near-perfect pass rate on the School Counselor 252 exam. Its cohort model, supported by HELP and OASIS grants, and its partnership with ESC Region 15 for practicum and internship placements together read as a program built to move current school staff into counseling roles with practical support along the way. Students who want to extend their credentials can add an optional 18-credit Online LPC Bridge toward licensed professional counselor preparation. The design keeps online convenience paired with real placements and funding. This master's-level school counseling program prepares graduates for work as educational in Texas.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 147 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 9
University of La Verne
- 144Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Educational Counseling
- On-campus
About the programThe University of La Verne offers a Master of Science in Educational Counseling that lets candidates shape the degree around the kind of counseling work they intend to do. Three concentrations, School and Family Based Counseling, Spanish Bilingual Bicultural Counseling, and Social Justice Higher Education, span everything from bilingual K-12 practice to equity-minded work in higher education. Depending on the chosen path the program runs 55 to 71 credits and takes two to three and a half years, and it is delivered at multiple California campuses including La Verne, Bakersfield, Burbank, Irvine, and Santa Clarita. That breadth of locations and tracks marks a program meant to reach a geographically and professionally diverse pool of counselors. Coursework meets the requirements for the California Pupil Personnel Services Credential in school counseling and is accredited by the state's Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The result is a flexible, mission-driven degree for candidates who want to align their training with a specific community focus. This master's-level school counseling program prepares graduates for work as educational in California.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 144 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 10
University of Missouri-Columbia
- 138Master's/yr
- Master of Education in Educational, School and Counseling Psychology, emphasis in School Counselor (Elementary and Secondary) Certification
- Online
About the programThe University of Missouri offers a Master of Education in Educational, School and Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in School Counselor Certification, delivered fully online with no on-campus visits. The 60 credit-hour program uses a one-course-at-a-time format built on a science-practitioner model, so candidates move through the material in a focused sequence while completing two required practicum placements. Graduates become certificate-eligible as school counselors in Missouri at both elementary and secondary levels, and students can choose elementary, secondary, or all-levels K-12 options. Backing from CAEP, Missouri DESE, and the Higher Learning Commission, along with ASCA recognition, marks it as a rigorously vetted preparation program. The structure suits distance learners who want a research-informed foundation without relocating. This master's-level school counseling program prepares graduates for work as educational in Missouri.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 138 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 11
National University
- 138Master's/yr
- Master of Science in Educational Counseling with PPSC Credential Option
- WASC and AAQEP accredited institution
- Online
About the programNational University offers a Master of Science in Educational Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential option that bundles the school counseling credential with a Child Welfare and Attendance authorization. Built around the ASCA National Standards, the 48-credit program averages roughly 23 months and moves candidates through supervised fieldwork courses that ground the coursework in real school practice. It leads to the California PPS-SC credential and CWA authorization through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, requires passing the PRAXIS exam, and is limited to California residents. The fully online delivery and waived application fee lower the barriers to entry, marking a program shaped for accessible, standards-driven preparation. Offered by a WASC and AAQEP accredited institution, it suits working Californians who want a credential-ready counseling degree they can complete from home. This master's-level school counseling program prepares graduates for work as educational in California.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 138 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 12
Concordia University-Irvine
- 128Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in Education: School Counseling
- Online
About the programConcordia University Irvine offers a Master of Arts in Education: School Counseling built for candidates who want to become credentialed pupil personnel professionals without stepping away from full-time work. The program moves a single cohort through 48 units over 26 months, pairing a 3-unit practicum with a 6-unit fieldwork sequence and a capstone project so that classroom learning is continually tested in real school settings. Synchronous evening sessions cluster on Tuesday through Thursday during weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7 of each eight-week term, a rhythm that keeps live instruction predictable while leaving space for on-site hours. Graduates emerge prepared for the California Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling, and the coursework is aligned with CTC and WASC standards. The design reads as a practical, cohort-anchored path into K-12 counseling for working adults. This master's-level school counseling program prepares graduates for work as educational in California.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 128 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 13
William & Mary
- 127Master's/yr
- Master of Education in Counseling, School Counseling concentration
- CACREP; CAEP-accredited
- Online
About the programWilliam & Mary offers an online Master of Education in Counseling with a School Counseling concentration that pairs the reach of a distance program with two required three-day on-campus residencies. Holding both CACREP and CAEP recognition, the program lets students meet Virginia school counselor coursework and clinical requirements over roughly three years while continuing to work. Beyond school counseling, candidates can concentrate in clinical mental health counseling or in military and veterans counseling, giving the online catalog notable range. Field training centers on a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship in K-12 schools, and an average class size of 14 keeps the remote experience personal. Out-of-state students are advised to confirm requirements with their own boards. The design reads as a supported, cohort-scale online path into school counseling. Earning a master's degree in school counseling is a common route toward becoming one of Virginia's educational.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 127 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 14
University of Southern California
- 120Master's/yr
- Master of Education in School Counseling
- Online
About the programThe University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education offers an online Master of Education in School Counseling built around the ASCA National Model and California Commission on Teacher Credentialing expectations. The 49-unit curriculum organizes its work around three timely focus areas, College and Career Readiness, Restorative Justice, and Trauma-Informed Practice, signaling a program attuned to the equity and well-being pressures schools now face. Candidates complete a 100-hour practicum and 700 hours of fieldwork, so the online format still grounds the degree in real school settings. Rossier formally recommends qualified graduates to the state for the clear Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling credential. Full-time students can finish in as few as five terms, or roughly 20 to 21 months, with a part-time route extending to 33 months. A master's-level path in school counseling, it builds toward a career among educational in California.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 120 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 16
Wake Forest University
- 110Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Counseling, School Counseling Track
- CACREP-accredited (through October 2026)
- Online
About the programWake Forest University offers a Master of Arts in Counseling with a School Counseling Track delivered primarily online for students who want a nationally recognized program without relocating. The cohort model pairs asynchronous coursework with two 3-day in-person residencies at the Reynolda Campus, so students build a professional community while keeping work and family commitments intact. A 185-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship, 240 hours of it in direct client contact, anchor the theory in supervised school practice. The curriculum is CACREP-accredited and prepares graduates for professional counselor licensure, with the program reporting an average pass rate above 90 percent on the National Counselor Examination. It reads as a rigorous, licensure-focused path for people committed to becoming school counselors while continuing to live and work where they are. As a master's degree in school counseling, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as educational in North Carolina.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 110 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 17
Montclair State University
- 110Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Counseling with Concentration in School Counseling
- CACREP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programMontclair State University offers a Master of Arts in Counseling with a Concentration in School Counseling, one of several tracks, alongside clinical mental health, addictions, and student affairs, housed within a single CACREP-accredited degree. The 60-credit program is grounded in the ASCA National Model and carries students through three semesters of fieldwork, an arrangement that keeps professional practice at the center. Evening, summer, and full- or part-time scheduling options make it accessible to working adults, with full-time candidates typically finishing in two and a half to three years. Qualifying graduates earn New Jersey school counselor certification. The mix of a nationally recognized framework, extended fieldwork, and flexible timing marks it as a program built for people balancing preparation against existing commitments. Earning a master's degree in school counseling is a common route toward becoming one of New Jersey's educational.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 110 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 18
University of Massachusetts Global
- 100Master's/yr
- $101,860Metro teacher pay
- MA in Educational Counseling, Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) with CWA Authorization
- Online
About the programUniversity of Massachusetts Global offers an MA in Educational Counseling that pairs a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling with Child Welfare and Attendance authorization, delivered fully online for California residents. The 48-credit program runs in 8-week instructor-led sessions, a cadence that suits working adults, while its fieldwork demands are substantial: 100 hours of in-person supervised fieldwork plus 800 post-practicum and internship hours, including a minimum of 600 at an approved California public school and 150 toward the CWA authorization. That combination of flexible online coursework and heavy in-state fieldwork reads as a program engineered specifically to move California candidates into K-12 school counselor roles. It carries WASC institutional accreditation, California Commission on Teaching Credentialing approval, and AAQEP accreditation. Graduates earn the PPSC credential with CWA authorization required for those positions. A master's-level path in school counseling, it builds toward a career among educational in California.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 100 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, where elementary teachers earn a median $101,860, roughly $89,692 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 19
California State University-Los Angeles
- 85Master's/yr
- Master of Science in Counseling: Option in School-Based Family Counseling
- On-campus
About the programCalifornia State University, Los Angeles offers a Master of Science in Counseling with an Option in School-Based Family Counseling, a distinctive program that fuses Marriage and Family Therapy with school counseling rather than offering either alone. Approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and accredited by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, it prepares graduates for the Pupil Personnel Services credential with a school counseling specialization, the Child Welfare and Attendance authorization, and licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. The intensive 73 to 77 unit cohort runs two and a half to three years in two small groups of twelve students, training candidates in co-therapy teams at the campus School-Based Family Counseling Clinic before they finish with comprehensive exams, a thesis, or a project. Held entirely in person during late afternoons and evenings, it is designed for students who want to serve children within the context of their families and schools. Earning a master's degree in school counseling is a common route toward becoming one of California's educational.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 85 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 20
Campbellsville University
- 82Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in Education, School Counseling (P-12)
- On-campus
About the programCampbellsville University offers a Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling (P-12) delivered fully online, a format that lets Kentucky educators pursue certification without stepping away from their schools. The 48-credit curriculum can be finished in as little as 18 months, and its accelerated pace reflects a program engineered for candidates who want to move into a counseling role quickly. Three practicum internships anchor the degree in supervised practice, totaling roughly 400 clinical fieldwork hours across placements of 100, 100, and 200 hours. Accreditation through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and approval by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board give the credential clear standing for certification and eligibility for rank change. Together the online delivery, defined timeline, and heavy field component read as a path built for working teachers stepping into certified school counselor positions. As a master's degree in school counseling, it is one of the programs that lead to careers as educational in Kentucky.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 82 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 21
New York University
- 81Master's/yr
- $96,900Metro teacher pay
- MA in School Counseling with a Concentration in K-12 or Bilingual School Counseling
- On-campus
About the programNYU Steinhardt offers a Master of Arts in School Counseling with a concentration in either K-12 or Bilingual School Counseling, a program accredited by the Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council. Its structure blends core courses with hands-on counseling labs and fieldwork, placing interns in New York City schools so candidates develop counseling skills in one of the country's most diverse urban systems. The bilingual concentration sharpens that focus, preparing counselors to serve English language learner populations. Graduates are eligible for New York State school and guidance counselor certification. Prospective applicants should note that Steinhardt has suspended new enrollment in the on-campus version of this program and is directing students toward related online offerings, so the campus-based pathway may not currently be open to new cohorts. A master's-level path in school counseling, it builds toward a career among educational in New York.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 81 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, where elementary teachers earn a median $96,900, roughly $86,085 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 22
Fresno Pacific University
- 78Master's/yr
- Master of Arts in School Counseling with Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential
- Online
About the programFresno Pacific University offers a Master of Arts in School Counseling with the Pupil Personnel Services Credential, joining the degree and the state credential in a single track so that graduates finish ready to be credentialed school counselors in public Pre-K-12 settings. The program carries more than 50 units of coursework alongside 800 hours of supervised fieldwork, and it places candidates in schools across the Central Valley from Bakersfield to Merced, with select Central Coast sites. That regional placement network signals a program rooted in serving California's inland communities and their students. Completion is capped by an exit interview and portfolio review, giving candidates a structured moment to demonstrate readiness. Delivered online and approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, it suits candidates who want a credential-focused path grounded in local practice. Graduates of this school counseling program at the master's level often go on to work as educational.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 78 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.
- 23
East Texas A&M University
- 75Master's/yr
- $65,070Metro teacher pay
- Master of Science in Counseling with a School Counseling emphasis
- Relinquishing CACREP accreditation after Fall 2025
- Online
About the programEast Texas A&M University offers a Master of Science in Counseling with a School Counseling emphasis, a fully online program that combines synchronous and asynchronous course options for flexibility. The 48-credit emphasis prepares students for Professional School Counselor Certification in Texas through the TExES exam, and a 60-credit configuration adds a seamless pathway toward Licensed Professional Counselor preparation, letting candidates aim beyond the school setting. The curriculum keeps a practicum experience at its center and requires the CPCE exam for graduation, holding students to a comprehensive counseling knowledge standard. Applicants should note that the program is voluntarily relinquishing its CACREP accreditation after the Fall 2025 semester. The dual certification and licensure pathways make it well suited to students weighing both school and clinical counseling careers. Graduates of this school counseling program at the master's level often go on to work as educational.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteFor a graduate program we set aside undergraduate figures and weigh three things instead: how established it is, the local market its graduates enter, and the institution's standing. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 75 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX, where elementary teachers earn a median $65,070, roughly $63,120 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 24
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- 74Master's/yr
- $58,680Metro teacher pay
- Master of Arts in School Counseling
- CACREP-accredited
- On-campus
About the programThe University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers a Master of Arts in School Counseling as a concentration within its broader Master of Arts in Counseling, which also houses Addiction Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling tracks. The CACREP-accredited program leads to the K-12 licensed professional school counselor credential in North Carolina. What distinguishes it is a clear equity orientation, expressed through the Urban School Counseling Collaborative and a curriculum that emphasizes social justice and system change. That framing suggests a program preparing counselors to work in diverse, often under-resourced schools and to advocate at the systems level, not only the individual student level. Clinical placements put those commitments into practice. Graduates emerge ready to serve K-12 students with both counseling skill and a change-oriented perspective. Graduates of this school counseling program at the master's level often go on to work as educational.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteA master's degree earns its rank on program-appropriate signals, not undergraduate ones: established scale, local teacher pay, and institutional strength. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 74 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort. Its graduates step into Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, where elementary teachers earn a median $58,680, roughly $60,279 once local cost of living is factored in, a real-world read on what the credential is worth in that market.
Area teacher pay: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025, adjusted for local cost of living via U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities. A location figure, not this program's graduate earnings.
- 25
California State University-Fresno
- 74Master's/yr
- Master of Science in Counseling, School Counseling Option
- On-campus
About the programCalifornia State University, Fresno offers a Master of Science in Counseling with a School Counseling Option through its Kremen School of Education, prepared for candidates who want to counsel in California elementary, middle, and secondary public schools. The on-campus program is deliberately efficient at 48 units, with most coursework overlapping the 48-unit Pupil Personnel Services credential requirements, so degree and credential progress advance together rather than as separate obligations. That structure makes the option a streamlined route to becoming a public school counselor. An active Chi Sigma Iota chapter gives students a professional and honor-society community as they move through the program. Earning a master's degree in school counseling is a common route toward becoming one of California's educational.
Why it ranks hereSchool siteMaster's programs are judged differently here. Undergraduate stats do not apply, so the ranking looks at whether the program is established, the pay its graduates walk into locally, and how the university stands behind it. On the first, it is clearly established, turning out 74 master's degrees a year, a steady if smaller cohort.