Offered mostly online, the clinical mental health counseling MS program at Saint Joseph’s University prepares students to become licensed professionals dedicated to supporting individuals, families, and communities in addressing a wide range of mental health needs. This 60-credit program features 700 hours of supervised fieldwork and offers opportunities for specialized learning through elective courses, including an optional built-in certificate in addiction counseling.
School Counseling MS
Offered primarily online, Saint Joseph’s University’s Master of Science in School Counseling prepares students to:
- Design, implement and assess comprehensive school counseling programs in PK-12 schools
- Apply instructional and school counseling interventions
- Use data-informed strategies to promote student learning outcomes
School counselors provide critical social-emotional, academic, personal and career support to ensure optimal learning outcomes for students. While all students benefit from school counseling services, students from low-income families and students of color directly benefit from having access to a school counselor.
The American School Counselor Association recommends a 250-to-1 ratio of students to school counselors, and most states in the U.S. do not have enough school counselors. Pennsylvania has an alarmingly high student-to-counselor ratio, with 343 students for every 1 counselor.
What Sets Our Program Apart
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The Saint Joseph's University Counseling Program is not currently accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The Counseling Program is in the process of developing a self-study report for submission to CACREP for accreditation consideration. To learn more about CACREP accreditation and the process, please visit www.cacrep.org.
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When obtaining a master’s in school counseling, you will share core courses with clinical mental health students to ensure you are prepared to serve K-12 populations and advocate for mental health. You will also build working relationships for future referrals within the school system.
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All classes are offered online in a cohort model, offering the opportunity to build community and connection with your fellow classmates. You will also participate in two on-campus, two-day residencies, complete supervised practicum and internship courses, and engage in 700 hours of field-based experience in PK–12 schools. Internship and fieldwork experience will help you begin the process of supporting students in the areas of personal, social, career and academic development.
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You will complete all coursework necessary for K-12 certification as a school counselor. Completion of the program does not guarantee certification. To obtain a School Counselor certificate in Pennsylvania, you must earn a combined GPA and qualifying score on the Professional School Counselor Exam. Special emphasis is placed on college and career readiness for students at elementary, middle and high school levels.
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The courses in this program are taught by faculty who are experts in both theory and practice and have national and state reputations in scholarly publications, community engagement, professional organizations and/or teaching.
Learn more about Saint Joseph's faculty.
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This program meets the highest standards of practice for school counselors. You will be equipped with Saint Joseph’s University’s values of ethical decision making and commitment to social justice in your professional practice.
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Liability insurance, which is required for all practicum and internship I students, is fully funded by Saint Joseph’s School of Education and Human Development, saving you from paying additional fees. This expense is typically an added responsibility for students in other school counseling programs across the nation.
What Can You Do With a School Counseling Degree?
School counselors play a critical role in ensuring students have opportunities for safe, enriching experiences both in and out of school. You will help prepare students for postsecondary success in ways that meet their individual needs.
School counselors work with students, families, educators and school leaders to interpret cognitive, aptitude and achievement tests, participate in individualized education programs (IEPs) and assist in the educational placement and transition process for students leaving PK-12 school systems. Counselors work with career planning, work release programs, college readiness and provide individual, group and classroom activities to promote personal-social development of all students.
Program Details
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View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.
Coursework and credit hours include:
- Sixty (60) credit hours of courses offered by the program
- One hundred (100) practicum hours
- Six hundred (600) internship hours
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Affordable tuition options start at $979 per credit.*
*Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our Tuition & Fees page or contact us for more information.
Financial aid may be available to you to help offset the cost of your degree. Explore your options on our Financial Aid page.
Discount Eligibility
Have you completed a year or more of service with a recognized service organization? You may be eligible for our mission discount.Alumni of Saint Joseph's are eligible to receive 10% off the cost of this program through our alumni discount.
Check with your employer to see if they are an Edcor or a Bright Horizons EdAssist member, which may entitle you to a discount on graduate programs.
Note: discounts cannot be combined. -
SJU is a Yellow Ribbon School that accepts GI education benefits. Our Office of Veterans Service can help you access and understand your benefits.
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Graduate assistantships offer tuition remission and a stipend. Positions are available, but highly competitive. Once you apply, please note that all offices manage their hiring individually and will contact individual candidates if interested.
Why Study School Counseling in Philadelphia?
In Philadelphia public schools, the average ratio between school counselors and students is 1 to 392. With such high ratios, there has been an overwhelming need for school counselors, especially for students of color and from low-income families. Students in this program will be placed in urban and suburban schools in Philadelphia to help close the gap and support families and children in need of a counselor in their school district.
Admission Information
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To be considered for admission, you must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
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- Complete online.
- Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Personal statement/essay.
- Submit CV or resume.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
- Successful completion of an online group interview process.
Visit our Graduate Admission Information page to learn more about admission requirements, key deadlines, additional requirements for international students and how to submit your application.
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- Early decision deadline: March 1
- Regular decision deadline: May 1
- Late Decision Deadline Pending Availability: July 1st
*Select applicants will be invited to a group interview shortly after the application deadline and notified of their decision via email the following month.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Transfer up to 12 credit hours may be considered for courses completed within the last 5 years with grade B or higher from an accredited master’s degree program.
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The average annual salary of a school counselor $61,710.
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Graduates of the program will complete an external exam (Praxis for School Counseling) to fulfill state requirements for certification.
Related Programs
Students in Saint Joseph's University's Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Transformational Change learn to lead with their mind and heart through the lens of equity to solve the complex educational challenges of the 21st century. Courses can be taken entirely online, on-campus or a combination of both.
Saint Joseph's master’s of social work program prepares students to address the increasing needs for social, emotional and behavioral support in a variety of environments in our region and nationwide