MA in counseling in educational settings
Become a certified school counselor and a trusted advocate for students with Rowan’s counseling in educational settings graduate program.
Why choose Rowan’s counseling in educational settings program?
Every student deserves someone who will listen, guide and advocate for their success. Rowan University’s Master of Arts (MA) in counseling in educational settings degree program equips you to be that person.
Through coursework covering topics like counseling techniques and student development, paired with in-person field experiences, you’ll learn how to support students’ academic progress, social-emotional growth and long-term goals in school and community settings.
Graduating from this interdisciplinary program means earning your master’s degree, certification as a school counselor and eligibility for the Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC) credential. These qualifications open doors to counseling roles across K–12 grade levels, as well as advising and support positions in higher education. Beyond meeting requirements, this preparation ensures you’re ready to provide individual and group counseling, collaborate with teachers and families, guide students through college and career milestones and advocate for student well-being at each stage of their education.
Key considerations
Quick Facts
Years To Complete
Credits
Application Deadline
Fall Entry Term
Studying counseling in educational settings at Rowan
What You’ll Learn
In our MA in counseling in educational settings degree program, you’ll complete 60 credits over 20 courses in a face-to-face format designed for full- or part-time study. The program, typically completed in three to four years, blends coursework in counseling theory, ethics and student development with elective topics like mental health awareness and college counseling. You’ll also learn about counseling techniques, assessment, research procedures and advocacy.
Rowan’s educational counseling program leads to a master’s degree, certification as a school counselor and eligibility for the Licensed Associate Counselor credential. With a dual certification and through our combination of coursework and field-based learning, you’ll have the skills to support students’ personal, social and academic development and to serve as a leader in school and community settings.
Counseling in educational settings key courses
- Children and Adolescent Counseling in Schools and Communities
- Counseling Interviewing Skills and Techniques
- Design and Coordination of Developmental Counseling Programs
- Individual Counseling Procedures
- Multicultural Counseling and Advocacy in Educational Settings
- Neurodiverse Learning and Social Emotional Development in Educational Settings
- Research and Evaluation Procedures in Counseling in Educational Settings
Note: The course information above is not official and is subject to change. For an official list of available courses, please review the Rowan University Academic Catalog.
Accreditation and licensure information
The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The counseling in educational settings degree program has been approved by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJ DOE) as meeting the state’s requirements for preparing school counselors. By completing this program, students are licensed as an eligible Licensed Assistant Counselor, which can lead to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
The NJ DOE, not Rowan University, grants certifications based on requirements set by the state. While coursework for this program meets the academic requirements for NJ DOE certification, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all other certification requirements are met, including, but not limited to, appropriate type and level of license and years of experience.
NJ DOE certification requirements are subject to change. Certification applications are evaluated by NJ DOE based on the most current state requirements. Review current NJ DOE licensure information.
How You'll Learn
Admission Requirements
Take the next step toward becoming a certified school counselor—submit the required application materials to apply. After you complete your application, someone from the Rowan University Office of Admissions will contact you to confirm your status or request any missing items. There may be additional actions or materials required for admission to the program.
- Completed application
- $65 nonrefundable application fee
- Bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) from an accredited institution of higher learning
- Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended (regardless of number of credits earned)
- Current professional résumé
- Certificate Program Acknowledgement
- Typewritten statement of professional objectives
- In a maximum of two pages, tell us about how you might use this program to advance your career. Educational goals beyond the master's level, if applicable, are also relevant. Place your objectives within a context that includes your experiences and the way these have influenced you in considering counseling as a career path.
- Two letters of recommendation from professional sources that speak to your academic aptitude
- Interview
- The Faculty Admissions Committee will contact you directly to schedule an interview. The interview may be in person or via phone.
- On-site writing sample (conducted during interview)
Note: Admission to the counseling in educational settings program is selective and consists of a rigorous application review and an on-campus interview by program faculty. Admission is based on qualifications and available seats. Admission is not automatic.
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