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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student/teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire a master’s in school counseling, but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best master’s in school counseling programs.

What institution did we forget? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

1. Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Ohio State University’s College of Education and Human Ecology has a strong commitment to social justice and celebrating the intrinsic worth of every person. Those who graduate with an MA in their counselor education degree program can go on to become either a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor or a Professional School Counselor. The degree program is CACREP-sanctioned.

2. University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, MD

Situated just outside Washington DC, the University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s leading institution. It is a prominent research institution with international renown. The school counseling master’s program is part of the NCATE-sanctioned College of Education, and it prepares learners to become professional counselors in K-12 urban educational environments. Learners will graduate with the skills to work with and provide sound counseling services to socially, culturally, and economically diverse populations. The degree program includes a 100-hour practicum, along with a pair of 300-hour internships in nearby city public school systems.

3. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

The University of Florida is committed to a sustainable future, vowing to become carbon neutral by 2025. Learners will find plenty of local, organic, vegetarian, and vegan options in their 45+ dining locations. Learners who share their consideration for the environment may want to consider pursuing their school counseling degree here. Their 72-credit hour graduate degree program prepares learners with the focused skills and knowledge vital for K-12 school counselors. The program is NCATE- and CACREP-sanctioned and prepares graduates to go on to earn the Florida Department of Education Certification in School Counseling.

4. University of Georgia, Athens, GA

After completing this CACREP-sanctioned degree program, learners will be well-equipped to earn their licensure and licensure in Georgia as a school counselor. They provide a strong support system for their learners. Those admitted to the degree program must finish an internship during their second year, during which they will obtain a $10,000 stipend. Also, the degree program fosters partnerships with the Health Resources and Services Administration and local school districts to offer its learners focused training in integrative behavioral health.

5. University of Minnesota at Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN

As its name suggests, the leading University of Minnesota Twin Cities lies on the Mississippi River, sandwiched between the bustling cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Its master of arts in counseling and learner personnel psychology (CSPP) degree program helps learners go on to pursue a couple of career paths. Classwork will be dependent on which of the three paths learners select to concentrate in.

6. Indiana University at Bloomington, Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington is the institution’s leading campus, established in 1820. Its School of Education has an extensive range of programs, one of which is the counseling and counselor education degree program. In this 48-credit degree program, learners will get the knowledge to effectively work with diverse learner populations and communicate with other mental health and educational professionals in a school setting. It is sanctioned by the MPCAC.

7. Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

The master of arts in school counseling degree program is a 48-credit path that is sanctioned by the MPCAC, along with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The degree program adopts a “whole child” approach that trains learners to consider how several systems, existing both in-school and out-of-school, impact learner success. Preparing students to work with learners of diverse cultural backgrounds, socioeconomic classes, sexual orientations, and abilities/disabilities is a top priority for this degree program.

8. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University has a counselor education master’s program with a school counseling emphasis. It is sanctioned by both the CACREP and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Learners can get field experience via role-play counseling sessions. Then they enter their practicum, where they work directly with college-age learners under supervision. For learners who want to concentrate on elementary school work, they’ll be able to work with elementary or middle school children every week.

9. University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

The University of Missouri offers a school counselor’s master’s degree program. This path relies on both the scientist-practitioner model of training and the school guidance and counseling degree program model for its coursework structure. When students graduate, they are qualified to work as school counselors in K-12 work environments. The degree program is sanctioned by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

10. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

This 48-credit counselor education master’s degree program prepares its graduates to become career counselors, academic advisers, and learner affairs officials in higher education. Upon graduation, learners will be well-prepared to earn their Texas School Counselor Certification. It is essential to note that this path is not sanctioned by the CACREP although its coursework has been influenced by its core skills.