Master of Arts in Education: School Counseling
Transform students’ lives with a master’s in school counseling.
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Mentor Young Learners
Make a difference in a school community when you earn an online Master of Arts in Education in School Counseling at Concordia University Irvine. You’ll pursue graduate studies alongside a cohort of other working educators. This online master’s in school counseling program prepares you to work with grades K-12, in public and private schools. After completing the program — and fulfilling credential-specific requirements — you’ll be prepared to guide and mentor students as a school counselor in California.
Through the online master’s in education school counseling at Concordia, you have the option of adding on the Child Welfare and Attendance Credential to Pupil Personnel Services Credential, which is required to work as a school counselor in California. Prior to obtaining one of these credentials, you’ll need to complete all coursework and 800 hours of field experience. That hands-on work must be overseen by Concordia Faculty and an on-site supervisor.
Online
Take weekly synchronous classes fully online.
48 Units
Complete your program in 26 months.
$710/Unit
Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
“What I liked about Concordia was it was a nice blend of pedagogy and practical application in the classroom. It was really tailored to the working educator. It was something I knew would further my professional growth – and it certainly did.”
Greg McFall ’07
Getting Started
You’ll start your program with an Introduction to School Counseling, where you’ll learn about theory, roles, functions, and current issues of school counseling. You’ll follow this with 10 more courses, then move on to your practicum and field experience.
Next Start
August 24, 2026
Upcoming Starts
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Fall 2 2026 October 19, 2026
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Spring 1 2027 January 11, 2027
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Spring 2 2027 March 8, 2027
Curriculum
Core Curriculum (Sample Courses):
- EDSC511 – Introduction to School Counseling
- EDSC514 – Growth, Development and Learning
- EDSC519 – Program Development
- EDSC522 – Theories of Counseling
- EDSC531 – Theory and Practice of Groups in Schools
- EDSC535 – Academic Development and Support
- EDSC541 – Mental Health Interventions for School Counselors
- EDSC550 – Social and Cultural Competencies
- EDSC551 – Legal and Ethical Issues
- EDSC561 – Crisis Prevention and Intervention
- EDSC562 – College and Career Counseling
View the Concordia University Irvine Online Catalog for a full list of courses.
Upon completion of the master’s in school counseling, you’ll be prepared to:
- Research, plan, and implement comprehensive school counseling programs that focus on student outcomes.
- Demonstrate legal, ethical, and professional knowledge and skills in pre-K-12 school settings.
- Promote ethical and culturally competent school counseling practices in pre-K-12 schools.
- Implement an impartial and balanced approach to deliver counseling services and crisis interventions within diverse school settings.
- Identify effective strategies for lifelong learning in a global and digital world, including shaping a personal learning network to support continuous professional growth in school counseling.
Tuition and Fees
At Concordia, we understand that investing in your education is a significant decision. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make your academic journey more affordable. View tuition costs and fees.
Lutheran Educator Discount
For applicants currently serving as a teacher or administrator in a Lutheran school, Concordia offers a 10% discount on tuition when you pursue a degree through Concordia University Irvine’s School of Education. Candidates for this special discount simply need to submit a signed letter from their school administrator verifying employment along with all application materials.*
CUI Alumni Loyalty Discount
For applicants who have earned a degree from Concordia University Irvine, the university offers a 10% discount on tuition when you pursue an additional degree or program through our School of Education. Candidates for this special discount simply need to inform the Admissions Office of your eligibility when applying for admissions.*
*Students receiving Concordia Faculty/Staff Waiver, Graduate Assistants, and Scholarship Athletes cannot combine with tuition discounts.
Admission Requirements
View the Graduate Application page for full details on application and admission requirements.
Information Sessions
Attend an Information Session online to learn more about our program, the application process, financial aid, payment plans, and more.
Career Outcomes
It’s a good time to join the counseling profession. Employment of school and career counselors and advisors could see growth of 4% from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.1 That’s an average of almost 30,000 openings for these roles each year through that decade.1
MAED/MAEL Program Handbook
The Program Handbook provides you with certain graduate degree program descriptions and requirements needed to earn a MAED/MAEL degree.
Networking Opportunities
As a Concordia school counseling student, you’ll build your network from day one through a cohort of working educators who bring real K-12 experience into every course — and carry those relationships into their careers.
California’s demand for qualified school counselors is growing, particularly in underserved communities. Concordia’s Southern California location connects you directly to school districts across Orange, Los Angeles, and Inland Empire counties through established field placement partnerships. Our faculty are active practitioners in school counseling and educational leadership, and the relationships you build with them open doors well beyond graduation.
Our faculty bring active experience in school counseling, educational leadership, and student welfare — and the relationships you build with them extend well beyond the classroom. Whether you’re working toward your Pupil Personnel Services Credential, exploring district-level leadership, or looking to specialize in child welfare and attendance, Concordia’s network is built to help you find your place in the field.
Explore Financial Aid
Reduce your tuition costs with financial aid — with help from a team that wants to make your time at Concordia as affordable as possible.
Meet Our Faculty
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Sandra Mercier
Director, MAEd Learning, Design, and Technology & Curriculum & Instruction
FAQs
How do I become a school counselor in California?
Each state has specific requirements to fulfill before you can become a counselor in a school — and California is no different.
According to the California Association of School Counselors2, you need to meet certain criteria to get this role:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Enroll in a graduate program that culminates in a Pupil Personnel Services (PPS), School Counseling Specialization credential.
- Complete a basic skills requirement, like the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).
- Complete the LiveScan fingerprint process.
- Receive a Certificate of Clearance.
- Complete a Practicum and Fieldwork with school-aged children.
- Be recommended for a PPS credential to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) by your university after completing your program.
Concordia’s online master’s in education school counseling meets all of these considerations.
Is getting a master’s in school counseling worth it?
A school counseling degree is certainly worth it if you want to be a counselor in schools, helping children navigate social, academic, and/or behavioral development. And if you find helping the next generation rewarding, this could truly be the path for you.
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Sources
1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm (viewed Nov. 18, 2024).
2California Association of School Counselors, Become a School Counselor, on the internet, at:
- https://www.schoolcounselor-ca.org/become-school-counselor (viewed Nov. 18, 2024).
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.