School Counseling
Benefits of the Program
This program is designed to provide training in counseling practice informed and guided by counseling theory. The school counseling degree emphasizes thorough knowledge of counselees' developmental and social contexts as they pertain to the school setting. This program meets educational and practice requirements to obtain a Class 6 School Counselor Specialist License in the State of Montana.
After licensure students work in school settings counseling school-aged children. In this program, you are prepared to work with counselees, adults and families in the school setting. Additionally, with the 60 credit degree they may also pursue the requirements to be a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Montana.
About the Curriculum
Because school counseling requires high levels of professional maturity and interpersonal
skills, the curriculum offers a number of experiential learning courses which are
designed to foster students' personal development, relationship skills, and professional
orientation. The courses include self-exploration and skill acquisition regarding
personal values, professional issues, personal and professional relationships, and
group dynamics. The courses offer opportunities for development of cohesive relations
between students through self-disclosure, empathic listening, feedback, and role-plays.
School counseling students take a common core of classes with students from the mental
health counseling and marriage, couples, and family counseling programs. This core
of course work provides all students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be
a professional counselor and follows the standards developed by CACREP. In addition,
students in the school counseling program also study aspects of counseling germane
to the school setting. These include school counseling program development, working
with children and adolescents, professional issues in school counseling, and a 600-hour
internship within a school setting. In addition to providing a core foundation in
the profession of counseling, the school counseling program promotes the development
of a school counseling program based upon national standards developed by the American
School Counselor Association (ASCA) through a variety of didactic and applied course
experiences. The program track emphasizes thorough knowledge and development of a
school counseling program, and theory-based approaches to individual, family and group
counseling. During counseling practica, students are closely supervised in their use
of knowledge about school counseling practice and theories. Supervised practice continues
and is expanded during internship.
NEW Online School Counseling Program
Montana State University is proud to announce a fully online Master of Education in School Counseling, designed for individuals passionate about supporting student success and well-being. This new program offers the flexibility and quality education MSU is known for--now available anywhere.
Why Choose MSU's Online School Counseling Program?
- Flexible and Accessible – Designed for place committed, working professionals, our online format offered mostly in summers allows you to learn on your schedule. Especially good for those individuals who are already in education.
- Accredited and Respected – Our program meets rigorous academic and ethical standards, preparing you for certification and success.
- Supportive Faculty and Community – Learn from experienced counselors and educators who are committed to your growth.
- Practical Experience – Participate in supervised fieldwork within your own community.
Program Highlights
- Earn your master’s degree in School Counseling in as little as 3 years.
- Fully online coursework with 2 residency weekend requirements in the 3-year program of study.
- The program is mostly offered in the summer months with up to 6 credits every fall and spring.
- February 1, 2026, application deadline to start in summer 2026. Application will be available August 1, 2025.
- This program prepares for licensure as a K-12 school counselor and provides 60 credits of coursework needed for an LCPC license in the State of Montana.
- For those students in rural areas, the program has a grant-funded partial tuition
waiver.
This program is an approved Western Regional Graduate Program. The WRGP allows master's, graduate certificate, and doctoral students who are residents of WICHE-member states to enroll in 900+ graduate programs at 60 public institutions outside their home state, and pay up to 150 percent of resident tuition. To learn more, please see the WICHE/WRGP website.
