Click here to find out more about the ranking methodology that we used to compile this list.

Congratulations! If you represent a college or university that is included in this list, please collect your seal below.

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 degree 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 masters in school counseling programs.

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

1. The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

OSU’s graduate school counseling degree program lies within the College of Education and Human Ecology, which has a strong commitment to social justice and celebrating the intrinsic worth of every person. Those who graduate with an MA in the 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

The school counseling master’s program is part of the NCATE-sanctioned College of Education, and it readies learners to become professional counselors in K-12 urban educational environments. Learners will graduate with the skills to work with and deliver sound counseling services to socially, culturally, and economically diverse populations. The degree program contains a 100-hour practicum, along with a pair of 300-hour internships and externships in nearby city public school systems.

3. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

UF’s 72-credit hour master’s degree in school counseling equips learners with the focused skills and knowledge vital for K-12 school counselors. It is NCATE- and CACREP-sanctioned, and readies graduates to go on to receive the Florida Department of Education Certification in School Counseling.

4. University of Georgia, Athens, GA

After completing this CACREP-sanctioned master’s in school counseling degree program, learners will be well-equipped to receive their licensure in Georgia as a school counselor. UGA delivers a strong support system for 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

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities offers a masters of arts in counseling and learner personnel psychology (CSPP) degree program, which helps learners to land positions in the counseling field. Classwork will be dependent on which of three paths the learner selects to concentrate in.

6. Indiana University at Bloomington, Bloomington, IN

The School of Education features an extensive range of programs, one of which is the counseling and counselor education degree. In this 48-credit hour master’s degree program, learners will get the knowledge to effectively work with diverse learner populations, along with communicating with other mental health and educational professionals in the school setting. It is sanctioned by the MPCAC.

7. Boston College, Boston, MA

Boston College’s master of arts in school counseling degree program is a 48-credit hour 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 in-school and out-of-school, impact learner success. Preparing professionals 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 at University Park, University Park, PA

Penn State has counselor education master’s program with a school counseling emphasis. It is sanctioned by the CACREP and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Learners can get field experience through first participating in role-play counseling sessions. During their practicum, they work directly with college-age learners under supervision. For learners who want to concentrate in elementary schoolwork, 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 an outstanding school counselor’s master’s degree program. This path relies on the scientist-practitioner model of training and the school guidance and counseling degree program model for its coursework structure. The degree program is sanctioned by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

10. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX

The University of Texas, Austin, has a great 431-acre campus that houses 17 libraries, four museums, and 15 career centers. The 48-hour credit counselor education master’s degree program readies its graduates to become career counselors, academic advisers, and learner affairs officials in higher education. Upon graduation, learners will be ready to receive 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 the CACREP’s core skills.