School counselors are an invaluable part of the educational ecosystem. They help students thrive in the classroom, manage their emotions, and plan for postsecondary options. Through collaboration with teachers, administrators, and families, school counselors can ensure that students are supported along their academic journey — wherever they choose to take it.

A master’s in school counseling degree prepares learners to implement meaningful change in students’ lives. How can prospective counselors find the degree program best suited for them?

Some factors to consider include whether the degree program is accredited, the types of student support available, class size, and the frequency of live classroom discussion. Browse the resources below to learn more about available school counseling programs online and the career pathways open to prospective learners.

The program cards/tables featured on this page were last updated in April 2022. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school.

School counselors are an irreplaceable piece of the student experience. They are trained, certified professionals who help students form healthy behaviors and mindsets. Counselors help bridge the gaps between school relationships, whether they be between teachers and students, or caretakers and administrators.

Qualified professionals are in demand, too. According to the American School Counselor Association, the recommended student-to-school counselor ratio is 250-to-1. The national average for the 2022–2032 school year was 385 students for every one counselor. Additionally, employment of school and career counselors and advisors is expected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That is faster than the average for all occupations.

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• No GRE required
• On-the-go accessibility
• Field placement support
• No required campus visits
• Live classrooms

The functions of school counselors, also known as guidance counselors, vary depending on the age or grade level of the students they serve.

Elementary school counselors help young students with the personal development, academic, and social challenges they may be facing. They play a crucial role in education, whether they are working with the students themselves, parents and other school staff. For students, counselors can help them learn to set goals, as well as work with those who are developmentally delayed or behaviorally challenged to establish strategies early.

Elementary school counselors also help teachers, providing them with the tools and resources they need to make their classrooms productive and safe spaces. Elementary school counselors may also consult with the school’s principal and other organizations to advocate for student issues, needs, or problems.

Middle school counselors support students both individually and within group settings, tending to their personal, social, and academic development needs. They also help students resolve interpersonal challenges that surface during this complex phase of life. In some cases, they may suggest classroom redesigns to optimize the learning environment for students or to cater to those with specific requirements. Students learn in different ways, and middle school counselors address these learning styles through collaborative efforts. Middle school counselors work with parent organizations, as well as teachers.

In high school, counselors’ responsibilities grow to include teen issues as well as college and career planning. Their priorities cover academic and social matters, life skills and coordination with teachers and administrators. They may organize college-campus visits and help students who are applying to schools for financial support.

School counselors may teach classes touching on social topics, such as sex education and bullying. They may also conduct vocational counseling and work with students and parents in mental health situations, providing referrals to outside resources when needed. They may develop school programs to improve study habits and time management or give individual assessments to students that show promise or difficulty in specific areas.

Counselors at all levels develop written plans for their schools based on local student achievement goals and the ASCA’s professional standards and competencies (PDF, 388 KB). These standards include ethical guidelines, professional norms, and competencies and the ASCA’s student standards (PDF, 1.9 MB), which lists criteria to assess student development and increase achievement.

Organizations for professional support and networking include:

Look for accredited school counselor degrees

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP) and the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) are the accrediting bodies for online counseling programs that meet specific standards important in shaping future professionals. Accredited programs may set the foundation for licensure in many states, ensuring future school counselors are best prepared for their work with students.

If you’re debating whether an online Master of School Counseling degree is right for you, it may be helpful to consider what goes into the investment, program expectations, and common characteristics of online students. While online programs give students the flexibility to attend universities across the country without having to relocate or give up personal obligations, a number of them are self-directed, which means students will likely need to feel comfortable working independently and remain self-motivated during the course of study. Additionally, online students are responsible for planning ahead and meeting all assignment deadlines.

Take time to think about your goals, qualifications, and personal traits before applying to master’s in school counseling online programs.

As you research your options for a master’s degree, you may end up exploring school counseling programs online accredited by CACREP. Although specific course titles and content may vary, CACREP-accredited Master of School Counseling programs feature curriculum that covers eight core areas, representing knowledge fundamental to the counseling profession:

The curriculum for a Master of School Counseling program may include such topics as:

Refer to the ASCA’s School Counselor Professional Standards and Competencies when evaluating a graduate-level school counseling program’s curriculum. The ASCA framework outlines the knowledge, abilities, and skills needed to meet the rigorous demands of the school counseling profession. These competencies are also useful in helping school counselors self-assess their own skill sets and formulate appropriate professional development plans.

Online Master of School Counseling programs may include a practicum and/or internship component.

The practicum and internship portion of a graduate counseling program may satisfy fieldwork requirements for entry to professional practice; additional hours may be needed depending on your state’s licensure requirements.

Your internship experience is essential to post-graduate licensure or certification, and internship requirements vary by state. Internships will also give you the opportunity to practice your learned skills in real time, under a licensed and approved supervisor. Even if you have experience working in mental health or education, securing an internship site may be difficult to navigate. Some universities have distance-learning internship placement teams to help you secure your next experience, no matter where you live.

Because the clinical experience portion of an online Master of School Counseling program is time- and effort-intensive, prospective students should plan accordingly before enrolling. Some questions to ask regarding the clinical component include:

Students enrolled in on-campus graduate programs may be able to check in with their advisors, financial aid representatives, or other support services personnel. For online students, connecting with critical support staff will look different. Some online school counseling programs have support for online students specifically — sometimes with extended office hours, virtual meeting times, and online resources.

Additionally, having a smaller number of peers in your cohort or team may help you develop meaningful, professional relationships that transcend your online school counseling program. With a smaller ratio between students and instructors, professors may be available for more one-on-one discussions and personalized face time.

Synchronous learning allows students and instructors to meet at a designated time, possibly once a week virtually. In these live discussions, online school counseling students can “meet” face-to-face in a format mimicking on-campus interactions. This type of learning enables online school counseling degree students to share experiences, ask questions, or get support.

Asynchronous learning, in contrast, provides students with the flexibility to engage with course materials and assignments at their own pace and convenience — without the need to gather with other students and their instructor at a specific time. This approach allows online school counseling students to work through lessons and tasks independently, accommodating their personal schedules. Asynchronous learning still facilitates interaction through discussion forums and communication tools, enabling students to exchange insights, ask questions, and seek assistance when needed.

For any master’s in school counseling online program, you may want to make sure that their curriculum and values align with the ASCA National Model. Master’s degree programs in school counseling cover topics such as foundations in school counseling, school counseling program development, child and student development theories, and learning/behavioral disorders.

As a result, school counselors are prepared to develop and deliver school counseling resources and initiatives that promote student development in academics, personal/social aspects, and careers. Through these programs, school counselors advocate for equitable access to education and use data to drive decision making.

Online school counseling graduate programs may confer either a Master of Science (MS), Master of Arts (MA), or Master of Education (MEd) in school counseling. The differences between MS, MA, and MEd programs are small, but it’s important that you understand these differences so you can decide which type of school counseling degree program is right for you.

You may be wondering, “What can I do with a master’s in school counseling?” There are a variety of career options available once you’ve earned a master’s degree. Many school counselors choose to work in educational settings such as elementary, middle, and high schools, specializing in areas such as mental health and family counseling. There are also school counselors who work at universities and colleges.

Last updated August 2024.