A school counselor holds up a paper smiling face and a paper frowning face, and a young student points at the smiling face.

School Counseling, M.S.

Today's school counselors are essential members of a student's educational team. As a school counselor, you'll help all students realize their full potential, becoming productive, well-adjusted adults.

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Degree Types

Master's,B.A./M.S. Pathway

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Program Cost

$625 per credit

Key

Format

Online

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Total credits

About the Program

Through a combination of research, theory, and practice, our counseling program encourages graduate students to become reflective practitioners. Our graduates are employed in public and private schools across Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Receiving Your Certification

The Master of Science degree in Counseling (School Counseling Specialization) is designed to meet requirements for licensure by the Maryland Department of Education (MSDE) and includes a counseling practicum (100 hours) as well as an internship within a school setting (600 hours). Upon graduation, students will be eligible to become a public or private school counselor.

This program may not meet educational requirements for licensure in other states or US territories. If students are planning to seek licensure in a state or territory other than Maryland, they should contact McDaniel College's Professional Licensure Representative at gps@mcdaniel.edu or 410-857-2505.

Why McDaniel for School Counseling?

We’ve designed our program to make sure it meets the needs of today’s best educators.

Reputation. McDaniel’s programs in education are respected across Maryland and the region.
Convenience. Courses are offered at times convenient for working adults, both in-person and online.
Flexibility. The self-designed course of study means you’ll get personalized guidance to build a program that meets your unique professional goals.

Forming Connections

A group of students stand on campus in front of a tree with fall foliage in the background

McDaniel's Master of Science in Counseling program features the flexibility of online learning but doesn't sacrifice connection or community. Students are encouraged to engage deeply — not only with course content, but with one another, with faculty, and with leading professionals in the field. Our program enriches the overall learning journey with valuable opportunities and experiences through an optional, day-long workshop on campus each semester.

Nationally Accredited

McDaniel College is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The Master of Science in Counseling program (School Counseling track) has been awarded initial accreditation status by AAQEP through June 30, 2029. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.

Official seal of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)

What You Need to Know About the M.S. in Counseling

Completed application for graduate study
Official transcript verifying completion of an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0
Professional Resume
Goal Statement Essay
Successful completion of an in-person interview with a Counseling advisor

Upon admission, students must also must complete a criminal background disclosure statement and may be required to undergo a criminal background check and finger printing at the student’s expense. Students should be aware that a criminal background may prohibit practicum and internship placement and therefore may be a barrier to program completion. Students should also be aware that it may also be a barrier to obtaining licensure. All incidents of criminal history must be self-reported to both the program and to the practicum and internship sites prior to enrollment and at any time throughout the program. All students may be subject to criminal background and finger printing by McDaniel College and by the practicum and internship site at any time.

Successful completion of 51 credits hours outlined in the curriculum
Minimum 3.0 G.P.A.
Successful completion of practicum and internship experiences.

Bachelor’s to Master’s Pathway Start Early. Save Time. Save Money.

McDaniel College’s Bachelor’s to Master’s (BA/MS) pathways give motivated students the chance to earn both their undergraduate and graduate degrees faster and at a lower cost. These pathways are designed to help students gain advanced skills and knowledge that are important in today’s job market, allowing them to save time and money while getting ahead.

By offering these pathways, McDaniel College meets the growing need for higher education and professional expertise. Students who choose a BA/MS pathway can build strong qualifications for their careers, putting themselves in a better position to succeed by earning an advanced degree.

Bachelor’s to Master’s Pathways at McDaniel College

Program & Course Details

M.S. School Counseling Catalog

Want to Know More?

Get more information at one of our monthly Virtual Coordinator Connections. Make a connection with the coordinator of your graduate program of choice and discover if McDaniel is the right fit for you.

Now Enrolling

We are now accepting applications for Fall and Spring enrollment.

Start your application

Program Coordinator

Dr. Beth Aitken

eaitken@mcdaniel.edu

Request More Info

Department Faculty

Learn more about the faculty and staff behind this program.

See Graduate & Professional Studies faculty

Special Opportunities

Student interacting with child at the Boys and Girls Club in Westminster.

Dual Purpose Training

Our training has a dual purpose: to ensure the counselor’s professional growth and skill development, and to increase the counselor’s personal growth and self-awareness. This latter purpose is emphasized and given serious focus throughout the program. Both cognitive and affective learning are considered necessary in counselor preparation, and this belief is reflected throughout the program.

Kristina Stacey, a woman with long, blonde hair, wears a white sweater and smiles in front of a blue backdrop.

Faculty Spotlight Kristina Stacey, M.Ed.

Kristina Stacey has served as an elementary school counselor in Carroll County since 2010. In 2017, she began teaching the next generation of school counselors in McDaniel College’s master’s program in School Counseling. She emphasizes the importance of blending theory with real-life application, equipping students to navigate both practical challenges and emotional boundaries. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University and a master’s degree and certificate in Advanced Study in School Counseling from Loyola University.

Read the full Q&A with Kristina Stacey, M.Ed.

Impressive Outcomes Mike Southers ’04, M.S. ’13 Capable and Confident

As an undergraduate Philosophy major, Southers discovered a welcoming community that made education enjoyable despite his own experiences with anxiety. After graduating with a School Counseling master's degree, Southers earned his counseling license and took on the confidence to launch his own practice.

Read more about a School Counseling alum

Meet a Graduate | Laura Estep M.S. ’25

`What made you want to earn a master’s in School Counseling?`

Prior to entering the School Counseling M.S. program, I was a general education and special education teacher for 23 years. Throughout my career with children, I always had a passion for building relationships with students and families. Working with students on their social and emotional well-being is important work that will impact their future ability to navigate through life in a productive and meaningful way and affords them an opportunity to reach their potential. This work brings me great joy, and I knew that a degree in School Counseling would allow me the opportunity to perform this vital work on a daily basis.

`Why McDaniel?`

I actually started this program in 1995 when McDaniel College was Western Maryland College. I was pleased with the program then and decided to return when my youngest child left for college. McDaniel College’s School Counseling program also has a reputation for preparing students to enter the field of counseling with a strong foundation and skillset.

`What did you like most about the program?`

While there were many things I enjoyed about the School Counseling program, I think I was most impressed by and grateful for the extensive knowledge and experience of my professors. I really felt as though all of my professors were experts in their field. They had a significant amount of knowledge and presented it in a way that was engaging, innovative, and thoughtful. I also valued the relationships I developed with my classmates. I was able to form some lasting friendships and look forward to cultivating them even further as we embark on our roles as school counselors.

`What are your overall career goals?`

I have dreamed of becoming a school counselor for 30 years. I plan to enjoy as many years as possible working at my dream job. I also plan to pursue my certification in Clinical Mental Health Counseling so I can possibly serve children in a private setting should I ever decide I would like to follow that path.

`How have you combined your passions with your career?`

I have two passions: working with children on their social and emotional growth and gardening. Last year, I found a way to combine those two passions when I started a gardening club at my school. I wanted to share my love of gardening with children. I wasn’t prepared for just how therapeutic that garden would be for many of my students, and it has been such a joy to watch.

Estep, Laura_School Counseling wearing a blue and white vertical striped shirt

Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S.