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Welcome to Capella
Select your program and we'll help guide you through important information as you prepare for the application process.
Classes Start March 8th
Ready to get started? We’re ready for you. Chat with an enrollment counselor or apply now to take the first step on the journey toward your future.
$50 application fee (waived w/promo WINTER).
MS in School Counseling Program Overview
In this video, Josh Stanley, EdD, Faculty Chair in the School of Counseling, explains the difference between a career in school counseling and school psychology, and how Capella’s curriculum helps prepare future school counselors to support students in almost all aspects of life.
MS in School Counseling program highlights
Practice/internship
Apply your skills and knowledge in the field with direct client contact and supervision during your program.
Preparation to pursue licensure
Learn with curriculum that’s aligned with school counseling education standards to help you prepare for professional credentialing.
All core faculty hold doctorates
Our faculty is made up of scholar-practitioners who are active within their professions and bring real-world experience to the courseroom.
Among alumni of the counseling and human services master’s programs, 96% agreed that their faculty were well qualified and did a good job.*
Residency
Enhance the skills you develop in your program through interaction with faculty and students in a supportive environment.
Strategic alignment
Our curriculum is designed to incorporate the values, principles, and ethical standards of national, regional, and state professional counseling associations and honor societies, including the American School Counseling Association.
Source: Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2019-2020
Meet your counseling faculty
Our distinguished faculty members hold top credentials in their fields. They’re here to teach you critical knowledge and skills and to help enrich your education and career by bringing real-world relevance to the courseroom. View all core faculty.
Get the support you need for success
You’re never going it alone at Capella. Our dedicated support teams are waiting to guide, help, and advise you through every step of your educational journey.
Advisors
Advisors know the details of your program. Got questions about courses? Instructors? Resources? Advisors have answers.
Career center
For this team, it’s more than resumes and interview tips. It’s about thoughtful and strategic career planning—beyond graduation.
Licensure Support
Our licensure team supports you through the license application process, and is there for you even beyond graduation.
Cost & learning format
Online education isn’t one-size-fits-all. We know you’re busy—you need a learning experience tailored to your life, not the other way around. Capella has learning and tuition formats to suit you, however you learn.
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1-3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$29,220–$35,064*
MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–TYPICAL TRANSFER CREDITS
$487 per credit,
72 total quarter credits,
12 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, using general program pricing, and it does not include fees (including application and resource kit fees). Your price may be higher or lower depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. If transfer credits are allowed in this offering, the prices above show what you would pay if you brought in the average number of transfer credits and the price if you brought in the maximum allowed transfer credits.
Get the details
Speak with an enrollment counselor to get a personalized cost estimate for what you can expect to pay.
Accredited & recognized
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide the assurance we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all of our accreditations and recognitions.
Understanding professional licensure
It is important to understand all educational and individual requirements for licensing. Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, certification, or endorsement. State regulations vary regarding professional licensure. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with requirements for your state.
Ways to save
At Capella, we believe your education is an investment in your future. It’s also an investment within your grasp. Your goals are achievable—there are more ways to save than you might think.
Employer reimbursements
Many employers offer tuition reimbursement to employees. Ask your manager about options.
$3K toward your master's
Apply for a $3K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your master’s degree.
MS in School Counseling—sample courses
The curriculum for our online master in school counseling program emphasizes assessment, intervention, and individual and group counseling. Gain knowledge of classroom guidance, consultation, and advocacy of systemic change in schools.
| COUN5241 * |
Group Counseling and Psychotherapy
Learners in this course examine the theoretical components and developmental aspects of groups. Topics include types of groups, group dynamics and processes, group leadership and membership roles, ethical awareness in relation to groups, and crisis management within groups. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only. Prerequisite(s): COUN-R5811. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| COUN5280 |
Introduction to School Counseling
This course introduces learners to the profession of school counseling. Learners examine the history and development of school counseling; investigate ethical and legal requirements for school counselors; explore the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model and service delivery systems, including specific programs and interventions; and analyze the multiple roles and functions of school counselors with various stakeholders. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only. |
4 quarter credits |
| COUN5284 * |
School Counseling Program Development and Evaluation
This course provides a comprehensive approach to developing school counseling programs and services, as well as the data-driven decision making and accountability needed to sustain them. Learners investigate the needs, structure, specialized areas, and evaluation functions of school counseling programs and examine comprehensive models using the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model as a framework. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only. Prerequisite(s): COUN5241, COUN5812, COUN-R5811. |
4 quarter credits |
| COUN5422 * |
Counseling for College and Career Readiness
In this course, learners examine models of P–12 comprehensive career development. Learners also evaluate developmentally appropriate interventions and assessments that enhance career readiness, improve graduation rates, and promote equity in student achievement and college access. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only. Prerequisite(s): COUN5279, COUN-R5811. |
4 quarter credits |
| COUN5812 * |
Theories of Counseling with Children and Adolescents
Learners in this course expand upon foundational counseling and relationship-building skills by integrating brief and strengths-based theoretical approaches and interventions relevant to the practice of counseling in P–12 schools. Learners analyze the influence of biopsychosocial factors on child and adolescent development and design individualized interventions that enhance wellness and resilience. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only. Prerequisite(s): COUN5280. |
4 quarter credits |
What you’ll learn
- Apply counseling and child development theories to school practice.
- Connect with students using counseling services that support diversity.
- Think critically, write effectively in a professional school counseling context.
- Uphold American Counseling Association and the American School Counselor Association codes of ethics.
- Communicate with compassion in all professional interactions.
- Champion the highest standards based on the ASCA National Model for Comprehensive School Counseling.
MS in School Counseling—career insights
Preparing Counselors to Handle Violence in Schools
Educating future school counselors includes training on violence: prevention, de-escalation, and post-trauma support.
School Counselors vs. School Psychologists
A comparison of responsibilities, licensure, and degree requirements of school counselors and psychologists.
Capella Faculty Member to Lead American Counseling Association
As president of the American Counseling Association, Simone Lambert, PhD, hopes to advocate for the profession.
MS in School Counseling—professional paths
Your education can help you reach your goals, professionally and personally. Here are some of the job titles and employment settings to explore as you consider a master’s in school counseling.
Related job titles to explore*
- School counselor
- Guidance counselor
- Counselor
- College counselor
- Advisor
- Academic advisor
- Academic counselor
- Career counselor
Employment settings to explore
- K-12 public school
- K-12 private school
- Land-based or online college or university
- Community college
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
Looking to make a difference in people’s lives?
The K-12 Helping Professions Guide can help you find a path—and a degree program—that aligns with your goals for working in a school setting with children and adolescents, from preschool to high school.
Other programs to explore
Is this program close to what you need, but maybe not a perfect fit? The programs below might be interesting. Check them out to find one that suits your academic and professional goals.