Welcome to our ranking of the 10 Best Deals on Online Master’s in School Counseling Degree Programs. As students grow up and progress through a school system, there are many challenges that are best navigated with the help of a strong advocate. School counselors have long functioned as resident advocates, assisting students in reaching their goals with the confidence and stability.
For aspiring school counselors, there are a great deal of colleges that offer a master’s level education at affordable tuition. Among these academic offerings is an online master’s in school counseling. It’s ideal for the professional who prefers the convenience of distance learning.
These 10 best deals for online master’s in school counseling degree programs were chosen from a pool of 70 institutions. This initial pool was narrowed through a scaled point system based on key academic components. Total points reflect the presence of:
- an intuitive online classroom environment
- a diverse school counseling curriculum;
- a high percentage of faculty with PhDs
- an immersive practicum or internship opportunity
- course schedule flexibility
- awards and ranking recognition
- any additional features that add extra value to a master’s in school counseling online.
The 10 colleges profiled below scored the highest among accredited schools with a tuition (per College Navigator) of $33,000 USD or less. These schools are ranked in order of points earned. In the event of a tie, the schools with the lower net price are ranked higher.
Reviewing the Top Online Master’s in School Counseling Degrees
#10 – University of Central Arkansas
ONLINE MASTER OF ARTS IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
Points: 8
Enrollment: 11,698 Graduate Enrollment: 1,856
Out-of-State-Tuition: $8,749
Established in 1907, the University of Central Arkansas has diverse range of affordable degree options. UCA’s online academics include a master of science in school counseling. It emphasizes the importance of leadership and a diverse background in psychology. Graduate students in the online master’s in school counseling are provided with courses that include :
- group counseling
- educational assessment and measurement
- research methods
- multicultural counseling
- advanced developmental psychology
University of Central Arkansas’ faculty is highly accessible to students for both educational and technical assistance.
#9 – Our Lady of the Lake University
ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
Points: 9
Enrollment: 3,173 Graduate Enrollment: 1,578
Tuition: $14,796
Established in 1895, Our Lady of the Lake University is a Catholic liberal arts school that fosters both academic and personal growth. It was established in 1895. The college’s degree offerings include an online master’s in school counseling. This 48-credit degree encourages community-building by keeping the same students together throughout the program. Our Lady of the Lake’s school counseling courses include:
- research methods and procedures
- group therapy
- vocational aptitude and assessment
- psychological development, and many more
OLLU graduates of the online master’s in school counseling have reported a 100% first-time pass rate for the TExES (Texas Examinations for Educator Standards) School Counseling Exam.
#8 – University of the Southwest
ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
Points: 9
Enrollment: 1,009 Graduate Enrollment: 643
Tuition: $12,528
Established in 1958, the University of the Southwest is ranked as a top online education by U.S. News and World Report. This college offers an online master of science in education and school counseling. The program prepares students for successful careers in the field. In addition to a 42-credit course requirement, students pursuing an online master’s in school counseling complete an internship and practicum. USW offers a comprehensive counseling curriculum in:
- career development
- crisis and trauma intervention
- addiction counseling
- psychopathology
- other relevant topics
In order to make tuition affordable, every accepted applicant to USW is evaluated for available financial options.
#7 – University of Alaska – Fairbanks
ONLINE MASTER OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
Points: 10
Enrollment: 8,620 Graduate Enrollment: 1,136
Out-of-State-Tuition: $16,416
Founded as an agriculture-based college, the University of Alaska has since evolved into a comprehensive liberal arts opportunity. UAF’s master of education in school counseling online is designed to produce compassionate advocates for students of all backgrounds. Graduates of the school counseling master’s are especially prepared to serve in rural settings where there is a growing need. The University of Alaska’s online master’s in school counseling is accredited by both the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Some of the courses included in the UFA’s counseling master’s include:
- career development
- cross-cultural counseling
- group counseling
- child development.
#6 – The University of Texas at Tyler
ONLINE MASTER OF ARTS IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
Points: 10
Enrollment: 8,036 Graduate Enrollment: 2,187
Tuition: $11,726
Part of the massive eight-college University of Texas system, UT Tyler has long been a leader in academic excellence. This college has an online master of arts in school counseling that aligns with both the Texas School Counselor standards and the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) guidelines. Student’s enrolled in UT’s school counseling MA online complete 39 credit-hours over an 18-month timeframe. The curriculum associated with a master’s in school counseling includes:
- family therapy
- career counseling
- abnormal psychology
- research methods in behavioral science, among others
Prospective students at UT Tyler can apply for the “Teachers in Excellence Scholarship” if employed full-time in a K-12 school system.
#5 – University of North Dakota
ONLINE MASTER OF ARTS IN COUNSELING: K-12 SPECIALIZATION
Points: 11
Enrollment: 14,906 Graduate Enrollment: 3,369
Out-of-State-Tuition: $18,807
Welcoming students from 50 U.S. states and over 60 countries, the University of North Dakota is widely respected for its affordable, challenging academic programs. UND online has over 40 degree areas to select from, one of which is an online master’s in school counseling that specializes in K-12 educational settings. This MA provides a broad spectrum of skills necessary to excel in a lasting career of counseling. As a graduate of the online MA in school counseling, one is equipped to evaluate emotional development, assist students in establishing and reaching their goals, analyze aptitude tests, and much more.
#4 – Edinboro University
ONLINE MASTER OF ARTS IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
Points: 11
Enrollment: 6,937 Graduate Enrollment: 1,242
Out-of-State-Tuition: $12,690
Widely recognized for its strong return on investment, Edinboro University is an academic institution focused on students as individuals. One of EU’s online degrees is a master of arts in school counseling. The primarily goal of EU’s school counseling program is to equip students with clinical tools and psychological theories. There are no on-campus requirements for the online master’s in school counseling, and students may complete their 600 internship hours over one or two semesters. Edinboro’s courses in school counseling include current curriculum in developmental counseling in schools, counseling students with disabilities, individual development through adolescence, among others. EU graduates with a master’s in school counseling are eligible to take the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification.
#3 – Capella University
ONLINE MASTER OF ARTS IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
Points: 12
Enrollment: 35,061 Graduate Enrollment: 26,311
Tuition: $14,175
Providing nearly all of its education online, Capella University is committed to the advancement of career-driven students. The online master’s in school counseling is a 72-credit degree that incorporates an immersive internship in the field; these 72 credits consist of courses in subjects including theories of counseling and guidance for children, contemporary issues in school counseling, and crisis intervention. Capella prepares future counselors to be confident wellness advocates for all K-12 students. In order to ensure this college is the right choice, Capella University invites prospective online graduate students to take a trial one-week “mini-course” free of charge.
#2 – University of Massachusetts
ONLINE MASTER’S OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
Points: 12
Enrollment: 11,698 Graduate Enrollment: 1,856
Out-of-State-Tuition: $8,749
Since 2001, UMassOnline has expanded to 140 degrees and over 1,500 available courses. The college’s online master’s in school counseling is a competitive 60-credit program taught by scholar-level faculty. UMassOnline has received multiple awards for its excellence in distance learning, and a rigorous admissions process ensures only the most committed students are accepted to its programs. For applicants who wish to test the UMassOnline portal, there is a course demonstration that highlights its many unique features.
#1 – Seton Hall University
ONLINE MASTER OF ARTS IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
Points: 13
Enrollment: 9,627 Graduate Enrollment: 3,810
Tuition: $20,430
Founded in 1856, Seton Hall University maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio in over 90 academic areas. The personalized learning experience is no different in Seton Hall’s online learning portal, reaching students in 40 U.S. states and 58 foreign countries. SH offers an online master’s in school counseling degree, which requires 48 course credits in addition to a nine-credit field internship. The associated curriculum with the school counseling master’s covers topics in counseling theories, career development and counseling, abnormal psychology, and group counseling. Seton Hall has a state-of-the-art online learning environment with an expansive library database.
Related rankings:
Top 50 Great Deals on Bachelor’s Degrees Online
10 Great Deals: Master’s in Clinical Psychology Online
Master’s in School Counseling Online: 10 Best Deals
The preceding serves to guide students seeking the best online master’s in school counseling degree programs.
By GCD Staff
June 2016