Master's in School Counseling

Our Master of Arts in School Counseling program includes a variety of courses, practica, internships and other training experiences that offer comprehensive preparation for professional practice as a school counselor.

Study human development, psychopathology, research, assessment, theories of counseling, and ethical and legal issues, as well as individual, group and other school counseling interventions. Learn to develop and deliver a comprehensive school counseling program and complete an internship. 

Training in counseling skills begins in the first semester, and an internship usually begins in the second year. This training prepares students to develop and deliver a comprehensive school counseling program, which is aligned with the principles outlined by the American School Counselor Association National Model for School Counseling Programs.

 

48

Credit Hours

2

Years to Complete*

FP

Full-time, Part-time Options

 

 

 

 

 

*Part-time= three years

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Program Highlights

The Department of Education teaches students the American School Counselor Association National Model of School Counseling. The department is locally and nationally known for teaching this model and graduating students who excel at implementing this model.

The program also has two faculty members who are nationally known for their work in school counseling and are both past presidents of the American School Counselor Association and the Wisconsin School Counselor Association, which is unique to Marquette. 

We prepare students as leaders through targeted leadership course work embedded throughout the program. Students will also learn data-driven practices, for which we are locally and nationally known.

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply knowledge of bio-psycho-social-cultural foundations of behavior and evidence-based counseling approaches to diverse individuals and groups.
  • Relate contemporary and current professional, ethical and legal standards to counseling practices.
  • Assume advocacy roles for the mental health care of underserved individuals and groups in urban settings.
  • Incorporate a professional counseling identity that integrates self-awareness, counseling roles and reflective practices.
  • Lead the development and implementation of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program in culturally diverse, urban PK-12 schools.

Earn Your Bachelor's and Master's in Five Years

The Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology offers early admission into its Master of Arts program in school counseling to Marquette students working toward an undergraduate major in educational studies. 

Students can apply for admission to this program in the second term of their sophomore or junior year. Students accepted into the accelerated degree program are eligible to enroll in up to 18 credits of school counseling (SCCN) course work carrying graduate credit during their junior and senior years. For more information, visit the Accelerated Degree Program page.  

Career Opportunities

Our graduates become licensed school counselors; grads take positions as elementary, middle and high school counselors. Often graduates become lead school counselors or directors of district programs.

Faculty Expertise

Students in the School Counseling program will learn from well-respected and nationally recognized faculty. Learn more about the faculty expertise in the Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology Department.


The Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology was recently awarded a U.S. Department of Education grant to support our ability to provide scholarships for Black, Indigenous  and People of Color (BIPOC) who are committed to becoming school counselors. For BIPOC students who are accepted in our Master’s in School Counseling program, we have up to 14 scholarships that would fund 27 credits of a 48-credit program. Learn more about the grant here.


Take the next step towards your future


 

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  • Admission Requirements
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To be eligible for admission to the Graduate School at Marquette University, applicants must meet the following requirements:

There are no course prerequisite requirements for the clinical mental health counseling program, however, we highly recommend that students obtain experience in a human service setting (e.g., fieldwork, volunteering or employment) to discern if the field is a good fit for their long-term professional goals.

Application Requirements

  • Read all application instructions prior to beginning an application.
  • A completed online application form and fee.
  • Transcripts:
    • Submit copies of all current and previous college/universities except Marquette1
  • Three letters of recommendation along with recommendation forms.
  • A statement of purpose.
  • A resume/vita.
  • GRE scores (general test only) – optional.
  • For international applicants only: a TOEFL score or other acceptable proof of English proficiency.
  • After all applications are reviewed, the highest ranking applicants will be contacted for an interview with the faculty. This is required for admission. International applicants residing in foreign countries and applicants with extenuating circumstances may conduct their interviews via virtual meeting.

1Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record. 

February 1: Priority deadline for admission consideration for the fall term. After the priority deadline, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as space permits and may be submitted any time before the following dates:

  • Fall term admissions- August 1 (June 1 for international applicants)

You may also be interested in learning more about the counselor education and counseling psychology's (CECP) master's programs in clinical mental health counseling and counseling psychology. 

Visit the College of Education department webpage for more detailed program information.

Master’s students who are primary and secondary school teachers in southeastern Wisconsin are eligible for two scholarship opportunities: the Milwaukee Area Teachers Scholarship, which provides scholarships for K-12 teachers from the greater Milwaukee area, and the Catholic Schools Scholarship, which covers part of the tuition for students employed by Archdiocese of Milwaukee schools. These scholarships are available only to students enrolled at Marquette. More information is available at the Graduate School's financial aid page.

U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for need-based federal aid (loans) to help fund their educational expenses.