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Counseling: School Counseling - MS

Program Overview

Master of Science in Counseling: School Counseling

Advance your skills as a school counselor and help enhance students' academic, career and socio-emotional development by pursuing a Master of Science in Counseling degree with a School Counseling concentration from the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). Earn the skills and knowledge needed to offer impactful counseling services to a variety of students, playing a crucial role within the diverse teams found in primary school settings, as well as in school-based mental health initiatives. 

Through our curriculum and supervised training, you'll learn what it means to meet the needs of individuals and families to enhance their quality of life. Receive a hands-on education, enjoy small class sizes (no larger than 15 students on average and a cap of 12 students per course in the practicum and internship) and get expert guidance from our team of experienced faculty and advisors.

Our faculty, each of whom are experienced counseling professionals, are here to help you gain certifications sure to open doors to making a meaningful difference in settings both educational and beyond, including:

  • Mental health clinics
  • Social service agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Substance abuse programs
  • Private industries
  • Government agencies
  • Employment centers
  • Private practice

The Master's Counseling program was designed to accommodate full-time students and working professionals alike seeking to make a positive and meaningful impact in the lives of young people in their communities and beyond. Receive the tools needed for success in supporting students at elementary, middle and high school-levels, as well as unique offerings, such as:

  • Fewer barriers to entry: Our program will prepare you to effectively address the needs of preschool through 12th grade students—with or without a teaching license.
  • Dual license opportunity: Accredited by CACREP, our Master of Science in Counseling program offers a dual licensure advantage by helping you obtain both school counseling certification through OSSE and an LPC license through the DC Department of Health.
  • Practical education from experienced faculty: Our faculty provides an abundance of practical, first-person experience, having served as school counselors at various educational levels. You'll even gain exposure to many counseling disciplines including Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.

Note: The School Counseling concentration is nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). 

Admission Requirements & How to Apply

To qualify for admission to the Master of Science in Counseling: School Counseling, you must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 and (recommended) undergraduate coursework in psychology, education or a related field. 

Apply

To be considered for approval, please submit your application prior to the appropriate deadline. For the fall semester, please submit your online application before April 15, or for the spring semester, prior to September 15. When applying to the program, you must submit the following materials:

  • Official e-transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended
  • Personal statement detailing what influenced your decision to apply to graduate school and how the program will help you achieve your professional goals. In the counseling profession, you will be expected to recognize and appreciate individual differences. Write about an experience (or experiences) you've had working with people different from yourself, as well as strengths and limitations you see in your ability to recognize and appreciate those who hold differing values and beliefs.
  • Resume or curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation (preferably one academic and one professional)

Apply Now

Scholarship Opportunities

Program Outcomes

Contact Us

For more information about the School Counseling program at UDC, contact us today!

Delarious O. Stewart
Director of School Counseling Program
Graduate Counseling Program
Division of Education, Health, and Social Work
4200 Connecticut Ave. NW
Building 71, Suite 4118
202-274-6037
delarious.stewart@udc.edu

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