M.S.Ed. School Counseling

Strengths of the 60-credit School Counseling program include:

Accreditation

Accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Some states require graduation from a CACREP-accredited program to obtain Licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC).

Tuition Award

Students receive a 15% tuition award for taking 6 credits per semester.

Licensure and Certification

The program meets the academic requirements in Pennsylvania (and most other states) for both School Counseling Certification and Licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC), which is essential for working in the mental health field.

Level II Certification

This program satisfies the Pennsylvania Department of Education's (PDE) academic requirements for level II instructional (teacher) certification for persons with a level I instructional (teacher) certificate.

Time to Degree

Earning your Master's degree in School Counseling can be completed within two (2) years by taking 9-12 credits per semester.

Full-time and Part-time options

Students have the option to complete the program on a full-, half- or part-time basis if desired.

No Pre-requisites

This program accepts students with Bachelor's degrees in a variety of areas. There are no undergraduate pre-requisites, other than having a Bachelor's degree.

Small to Moderate Class Sizes

Classes typically range from 6-25 students and are conveniently held in the evenings allowing students to remain employed during the day.

Variety of Fieldwork Options

Students have the opportunity to experience a variety of schools and mental health agencies for fieldwork.

Large Alumni Base

As a graduate of this program, you will be amongst the 1200 alumni who are leaving an impression on the field of mental health as leaders and innovators.

Graduates may obtain employment as/in:

• School counselors in public, private, charter, cyber and alternative schools as well as in intermediate units
• School-based therapists
• University career, admissions and advising offices
• Mental health counseling positions (e.g., outpatient, in-home, family-based, etc.)

The stimulating curriculum is designed to include experiential learning, self-reflection papers, case study analysis, and group activities. Nearly all of the courses are taught in a traditional rather than a distance education format.

Counselor Education Program Objectives

The educational experiences of Duquesne's Counselor Education program:

• Are grounded in theories of wellness, holism and development
• Involve community engagement and are informed by an understanding of systemic context and multicultural theory
• Focus on the core elements of an effective helping relationship
• Emphasize self-awareness, personal development and experiential learning

School Counseling Graduate Statistics

For additional information and statistics, please see the Annual Report (.pdf).