Master of Arts in Education in K-12 School Counselor Online
Explore major counseling theories and intervention methods as you prepare for roles positively impacting the lives of students. Build the communication and collaborative skills to thrive as a certified counselor.
Apply by:
1/2/25
Program Overview
Support student development with the online school counselor master’s program
Advocate for students facing unique challenges with the online Master of Arts in Education in K-12 School Counselor program. Benefit from a flexible learning environment as you develop real-world experience with restorative practices, alternative discipline methods, and counseling techniques that empower you to transform the social and academic outlook of students.
Our program curriculum examines human development and behavior, ethical and legal standards for counselors, and innovative interventions. All courses are taught by industry practitioners who enhance your development by offering personalized feedback and support. Upon completion of this online school counselor master’s program, you will be prepared to seek professional licensure and certification in Missouri.
In this education online program, you will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of human development and behavior to help ensure the health and well-being of students
- Understand and utilize counseling theories and how to apply them for innovative and differentiated interventions
- Utilize helping relationships to promote the health and well-being of all students through individual, group, classroom, and whole school interactions and activities
- Recognize how to use assessments to measure the academic, career, and personal/social development of students
- Exhibit knowledge of career development and processes and assist students in their career exploration and planning
- Comprehend how cultural and social diversity affects learning and development
- Identify how to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program
- Discern how to collaborate with stakeholders to create a school counseling vision and mission
- Display the ability to lead and advocate effectively for a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes the success of all students
- Appreciate the ethical, professional, and legal standards within a school counseling program
- Demonstrate knowledge of human development and behavior to help ensure the health and well-being of students
- Understand and utilize counseling theories and how to apply them for innovative and differentiated interventions
- Utilize helping relationships to promote the health and well-being of all students through individual, group, classroom, and whole school interactions and activities
- Recognize how to use assessments to measure the academic, career, and personal/social development of students
- Exhibit knowledge of career development and processes and assist students in their career exploration and planning
- Comprehend how cultural and social diversity affects learning and development
- Identify how to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive school counseling program
- Discern how to collaborate with stakeholders to create a school counseling vision and mission
- Display the ability to lead and advocate effectively for a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes the success of all students
- Appreciate the ethical, professional, and legal standards within a school counseling program
Career opportunities:
- Licensed K-12 School Counselor
- Career Counselor
- Guidance Counselor
- Licensed K-12 School Counselor
- Career Counselor
- Guidance Counselor
Also available:
Avila University offers a variety of online master’s degree programs in education. View all online education graduate programs.
$19,200
Total Tuition
As few as 30 months
Duration
48
Credit Hours
Tuition
Pay your affordable tuition one course at a time
The MAEd in K-12 School Counselor online program tuition is the same affordable, pay-as-you-go rate for all U.S. residents. Fees are included in the total tuition, and financial aid may be available. Choosing Avila University means choosing a top 10 affordable online master's program, according to Forbes (2024).
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAEd K-12 School Counselor | $400 | $1,200 | $19,200 |
Tuition breakdown:
$19,200
Total Tuition
$400
Per Credit Hour
Calendar
Don’t forget these important dates and deadlines
Ideal for working professionals, the online Master of Arts in Education School Counselor program features 8-week courses and multiple start dates each year so you can begin at the time that works best for you. View the full calendar for all upcoming starts and corresponding deadlines.
| Term | Start Date | App Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline | Class End Date | Term Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 2025 | 1/6/25 | 1/2/25 | 1/2/25 | 1/3/25 | 1/6/25 | 3/2/25 | 8 weeks |
| Spring 2 2025 | 3/3/25 | 2/26/25 | 2/26/25 | 2/28/25 | 3/3/25 | 5/4/25 | 8 weeks |
Now enrolling:
1/2/25
Apply Date
1/6/25
Class Starts
Ready to take the next steps toward earning your next degree?
Admissions
Browse the requirements for the school counselor master’s online program
We’ve simplified the admission process to help you get started quickly and easily. You can find all requirements for admission to the Avila online MAEd in K-12 School Counselor program below.
Admission Requirements:
- 2.75 GPA
- No GRE required
- No teaching certification required
In order to be eligible to receive an MAEd in K-12 School Counselor from Avila University, you must have the following:
- Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Students who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in education from a state-approved educator preparation program must complete three additional courses
- GPA requirements for unconditional admission: 3.00 cumulative grade point average at the completion of the undergraduate degree
- GPA requirements for provisional admission: 2.75 cumulative grade point average at the completion of the undergraduate degree
- Students admitted provisionally must achieve a 3.0 GPA on the first nine (9) credits in their program of study.
- Official transcripts from all institutions previously attended (Avila graduates do not need to obtain Avila transcripts.)
Submit all official transcripts to:
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Avila University
11901 Wornall Road
Kansas City, MO 64145
This program does not lead to teaching certification.
If you are not in the state of Missouri, please check requirements within your own state for certification.
Courses
Learn about the coursework for this online school counselor master’s program
In order to earn your school counselor master’s online, you will complete 18 courses for a total of 48 credit hours.
Individuals who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in education from a state-approved educator preparation program must complete the following additional coursework requirements:
EDT 610: General Methods of Teaching and Classroom Management
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a comprehensive overview of effective teaching methods and strategies for managing diverse classrooms. Participants will explore various instructional approaches, learning theories, lesson planning and practical techniques to engage students and promote academic success. Additionally, the course will address principles of classroom management, including behavior management strategies, establishing routines and expectations, and creating a conducive learning environment.
EDT 625: Educating the Exceptional Child
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an introduction to the various areas of exceptionality, focusing on the 14 categories of disabilities in special education, including intellectual disability, learning disability, and emotional disturbance. We will explore the history and laws of special education, examine the educational needs and characteristics of exceptional children, and discuss teaching methods and support strategies for parents.
ED 606: Foundations of School Counseling in the Social & Cultural Context
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide a review of perspectives and practices for the school counselor in the 21st century with an emphasis on multicultural and diversity issues impacting school counseling with a relevant overview of counseling theory as applied to the children and youth of diverse backgrounds in a K-12 school setting. In addition, counselor self-awareness and skill competencies for effectiveness in the provision of school counseling services will be addressed.
ED 607: Legal & Ethical Aspects of School Counseling
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students will be exposed to a survey of the ethical, legal, and professional issues associated with the school environment. Using case scenarios, students will explore various legal complexities of counseling children and youth in schools by resolving case scenario’s through the application of the professional association codes of ethics (e.g., the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American School Counselors Association (ASCA), federal law, case law, state statutes, community standards, and school board rules.
ED 608: Advanced Child & Youth Psychology
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an overview of common child and adolescent psychopathologies, such as autism, ADHD, anxiety and depression, and eating disorders. Discussions are presented regarding relevant educational state and federal categories under which children and youth with each disorder might be served in the school system (e.g., IDEA, Section 504) as well as state and community resources available for children and families. Researched-based school counselor skills and strategies will be discussed with a focus on specific categories of psychopathology. Integration and collaboration with other school-based services and community services will be addressed with additional and relevant ethical and legal aspects of such collaboration.
ED 627: Counseling Methods & Techniques
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Exploration of methods and techniques of counseling/therapy appropriate for children/youth in K-12 school settings conducted by school counselors. Methods and techniques will be suitable for individual sessions, group sessions, and classroom settings. All methods and techniques studied will be developmentally appropriate. Methods and techniques will focus on emotional regulation, response to trauma, interpersonal relationships, and personal well-being.
ED 631: Academic & Career Planning
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course incorporates a theoretical and experiential base for the practice of academic and career counseling. Emphasis is placed upon the theories that explain career development, the research that supports these theories, and the ways in which the school counselor may provide developmentally relevant K - 12 career planning services that are researched-based. Additionally, this course considers the state and federal emphasis on career and college readiness as important to the work of school counselors. Developmental overview of child and adolescent career growth within a systems and life span perspective is offered. Applicable interventions for career education and counseling through curriculum integration and direct services within the school setting will be addressed. The course requires ten hours of field experience.
ED 633: Community & Family Relations
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to offer school counseling students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with families and parent groups in individual, group, school, and community settings. The focus will be on establishing and maintaining strong adult-child relationships and parent-staff relationships in home, school, and community settings. In addition, an awareness of strategies in developing supportive relationships with families of children and youth with diverse needs, including the legal and philosophical basis for family participation; availability of family-centered services; and strategies for working with socially, culturally, and linguistically diverse families will be included.
ED 636: Appraisal of Student Growth
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Exploration of principles and methods of measurement and assessment of student academic, career, and personal/social development as it relates to a comprehensive school counseling program.
ED 682: School Counseling Program Development & Implementation
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides School Counseling students with a framework for developing a comprehensive school counseling program to meet the developmental needs of children and youth in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development, and career development. Students will become familiar with the American School Counselor Association’s National Model as well as the state model. The use of data to inform programmatic decision-making will be reviewed and practiced. The course is also designed to provide prospective school counselors with practical experience in needs assessment, program development and implementation, and program evaluation. In addition, the course will review management theory and management functions.
ED 683: School Counseling Program Evaluation
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to review tools and methods developed to continually assess the effectiveness of comprehensive developmental K-12 school counseling programs such as evidence-based evaluation (results evaluation), School Counselor Performance Evaluation Protocol, and other state and national examples of program evaluation. School Counseling program evaluation approaches will be based on the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model of comprehensive school counseling and applicable state standards.
EDL 603: Counseling Theories
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Exploration of various counseling theories appropriate for children and youth. Theories will be aligned with foundational understandings of cognitive, social-emotional, and linguistic development and how they relate to behavior. Theories explored will focus on behavioral, cognitive, psycho-educational, and systems approaches.
EDL 607: Group & Individual Counseling
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
School Counseling students will acquire knowledge and experience with the methods, materials, leadership skills, and counseling techniques appropriate for group and individual needs in a school setting. Principles and practices of group counseling, group dynamics, group leadership, and the group processes with students and parents will be presented and utilized. The course will specifically focus on group counseling and group/class guidance approaches for promoting academic, career, and personal/social success for all students. School Counseling students will learn to plan, organize, facilitate, and assess the success of small groups within the school setting. Examples of group work would include emotional and behavioral support, life skills, career planning and exploration, peer pressure, motivation, grief/loss, friendship, and study skills. Also addressed will be ethical considerations in group work with all children and youth, including under served and underrepresented student populations utilizing the ASCA and ACA Code of Ethics. The course requires ten hours of field experience.
EDL 612: Restorative Practices in Education
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course seeks to apply the conceptual framework, strategies, and benefits of restorative approaches to leaders seeking to develop a social/emotional school-wide plan inclusive of this philosophical thinking. This course is designed to help participants develop a historical and theoretical understanding of restorative approaches and build restorative-based skills that can be used in various settings and situations. Ethical dilemmas, cultural competence, and decision-making in restorative approaches, and their impact, will be discussed.
EDL 629: Advanced Human Growth & Development
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
School Counselor candidates will study human growth and development through a life span perspective. The course focuses on the physical, cognitive, social, personality, and emotional development representing progressive developmental stages with respect to the interactions of biological, psychological, and sociological influences found within the environment (systems theory). Emphasis is placed upon the developmental characteristics of school aged children and youth within a diverse and multicultural society. The course also takes an in depth look at research applications in the areas of learner development.
EDL 687: School Counseling Practicum I
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
This practicum is designed to help the student prepare for a role in K-12 leadership. The student is matched with an experienced building level leader that will mentor and provide appropriate scope of experiences. This preparation is achieved by providing the student with a broad set of hands-on experiences that allow the student to utilize the knowledge and skills in the course work and think critically about the role. The course focuses on application of learned theory and experiences in relation to Missouri School Counselor Standards and the American School Counselor Association. Practicum requires 50 hours in minor area (Either elementary or secondary). This course is a 16-week course that may be broken out into 2 8-week sessions indicated by Part A and B. If a student fails any one part of the course, both parts must be retaken.
EDL 688: School Counseling Practicum II
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 1
This course is a continuation of practicum experience. Students will develop counseling skills to prepare them for future careers as elementary or secondary school counselors. Students are matched with experienced building level school counselors that will mentor and provide appropriate scope of experiences. This preparation is achieved by providing the student with an experience in both individual and group counseling. The course focuses on application of learned theory and experiences in relation to the Missouri School Counselor Standards and the American School Counselor Association. Practicum requires 50 hours in minor area (Either elementary or secondary). This course is a 16-week course that may be broken out into 2 8-week sessions indicated by Part A and B. If a student fails any one part of the course, both parts must be retaken.
EDL 689: Educational Research, School Counseling
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to enable students to become critical readers of research in counseling. It introduces them to design and conducts research in an applied setting. Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies are addressed. Students are expected to analyze research reports and design potential research projects. Principles, practices, and applications of needs assessment and program evaluation, as well as the use of computers for data management and analysis and ethical considerations in conducting research are a focus of this course. This course is a 16-week course that may be broken out into 2 8-week sessions indicated by Part A and B. If a student fails any one part of the course, both parts must be retaken.
EDL 693: School Counseling Internship I
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
The internship is the culminating requirement in the program, and it is designed to prepare the intern for a career as a school counselor in grades K-12. During the internship program, students develop and apply skills and competencies associated with school counseling in an elementary or secondary school setting. A student’s internship placement is determined by his or her intended level of certification. Internship requires 100 hours in major area. This course is a 16-week course that may be broken out into 2 8-week sessions indicated by Part A and B. If a student fails any one part of the course, both parts must be retaken.
EDL 694: School Counseling Internship II
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 2
This course is a continuation of internship is the culminating requirement in the program, and it is designed to prepare the intern for a career as a school counselor in grades K-12. During the internship program, students develop and apply skills and competencies associated with school counseling in an elementary or secondary school setting. A student’s internship placement is determined by his or her intended level of certification. Internship requires 100 hours in major area. This course is a 16-week course that may be broken out into 2 8-week sessions indicated by Part A and B. If a student fails any one part of the course, both parts must be retaken.
Avila University 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.
