University of Denver Online Master of Arts in School Counseling

The University of Denver (DU) Morgridge College of Education offers an online Master of Arts in School Counseling (MSC) that prepares graduates to serve as school counselors and advocates for public, private, and charter school students in grades preschool through 12 (P-12).

Also called SchoolCounseling@Denver, program objectives align with Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) 2016 standards in the areas of professional orientation, ethical practice, human growth and development, career development, social and cultural diversity, counseling and helping relationships, assessment and testing, group counseling, research, program evaluation, and school counseling.

Graduates may pursue licensure or certification as a school counselor in various states. The curriculum may also lend itself to credentialing as a professional counselor. The MSC program does not accept students from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, or Utah at this time.

School counseling courses are delivered through weekly, live class sessions and asynchronous coursework. Several hands-on experiences are built into the curriculum. Live, weekly class sessions allow for face-to-face interaction, learning, and collaboration. Students conduct mock counseling sessions with peers and exchange feedback. A 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship are required at a local school. Finally, students can attend the University of Denver campus for an optional immersion experience to meet with faculty and peers, network, and participate in self-reflection activities.

The program comprises 72 quarter credits and can be completed in 24 months full-time or longer part-time. It begins in January, March, May, and September. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 or higher GPA. Work experience and GRE/GMAT test scores are not required. Graduate student services include admissions counseling, the DU Health and Counseling Center, university libraries, the University Writing Center, disability services, and career counseling through the Offices of Career and Professional Development. Students are also assigned a Student Success Advisor at the beginning of the program.

SchoolCounseling@Denver courses include Orientation to Professional Counseling and Ethical Practice; Basic Counseling Techniques; Counseling Theory; Research Methods and Program Evaluation; Roles and Responsibilities of the School Counselor; Lifespan Development; Group Counseling Theory; Comprehensive School Counseling Programs; Introduction to Assessment; School Counseling Practicum; Educational Strategies and Policies for School Counselors; Counseling Children, Adolescents, and the Family; School Counselor Interventions and Strategies; Mental Health and Substance Use; Career Counseling; and School Counseling Internship I-II.

The University of Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The MA in School Counseling program is CACREP-accredited.