Frequently Asked Questions

The Online School Counseling program accepts applications on a rolling basis starting each December, and continues accepting applications until the program is full. It is beneficial to apply in late fall for the best chance of admission. We do not admit during the winter, spring, or summer quarters.

Yes, however you should choose whether you prefer the in-person or the Online School Counseling program before you apply as the decision will be the same.

We do not require that applicants have an undergraduate degree in any particular field.  Applicants with any undergraduate degree are encouraged to apply.

The counseling cohort begins every year in the fall (September). We do not admit during the winter, spring, or summer quarters.

We do not have a certificate-only option or a post-master's option. All students must complete the entire 90-credit program.

This program does not require the GRE. However, if your undergraduate degree was non-graded (i.e., you have no GPA), Seattle University requires that you take a standardized test in order to apply. You may choose either the GRE or the MAT (Miller Analogies Test).

Applicants who don't want to attend this fall will need to re-apply to the program. All application documents do not need to be resubmitted, but some may need to be updated by the application deadline to be considered complete.

Yes. The School Counseling (SCOUN) and Online School Program (OSCOUN) mirror each other. The online program allows students to obtain a high-quality graduate education remotely from anywhere in the US. The learning outcomes are the same for the online program and the in-person program.

Although students do take summer courses, there is a 6-week break between summer and fall quarters from mid-August to late September. There is also a 3-week break between fall and winter quarters. You can view the academic calendar here.

The Online School Counseling program takes three (3) years to complete. The first two years include classroom-based courses, both content courses and skills courses. The final year includes practicum and internship.

Students take 2-3 courses per quarter. All classes are online and asynchronous for the first two years (with expectations for some required synchronous connection with your cohort to work on group projects.) The third year is online and synchronous. Summer residency takes place in person in Seattle over one weekend after the first and second year in the program. Students take courses all four quarters each year (fall, winter, spring and summer). Students can meet with faculty during synchronous zoom office hours. Some faculty also offer occasional synchronous zoom class meet ups. 

This program was designed with the working adult in mind. We anticipate that most students will be able to work full-time while taking courses during the first two years of the program. During the third year, it may be difficult to work full-time because students will be in the field completing their practicum and internship.

The Online School Counseling program is a three-year full-time program.

Because of the sequence of classes and cohort system, it is not possible to complete our program in less than 3 years.

Our course list can be found here.

Classes are on a 12 to 1 student to faculty ratio. Cohorts will stay together throughout the three-year program.

The Online School Counseling program is on a 10-week quarter system for fall, winter, and spring, and on an 8-week quarter system for summer. More detailed information on the academic calendar can be found here.

Faculty bring a combination of research and counseling experience to their teaching. All our faculty have doctoral degrees in counselor education, are experienced in the field of counseling, and those who teach clinical courses are fully licensed.

Program cost information can be found here. For reference, our program is 90 credits.

Students take 3 courses per quarter. All classes are online and asynchronous for the first two years. The third year is online and synchronous. Summer residency takes place in person in Seattle over one weekend after the first and second year in the program. Students take courses all four quarters each year (fall, winter, spring, and summer).

The program launches with a required Zoom synchronous orientation. During this orientation you will meet your faculty, and get to know the others in your cohort. You will learn important details and requirements for the program and your future licensure. Orientation is mandatory, so please be prepared to attend this online meeting. 

Yes! The program has lots of ways to help you feel engaged and supported.  

• You are placed in a cohort of 10-12 other students and take every class with this same group of people.  
• We create a Teams channel for you to connect right away with your cohort and start getting to know each other.  
• The program starts with a required synchronous orientation, and each summer there is a required residency on campus for 4 days in late July where you will practice counseling sessions with your colleagues, attend workshops and symposia, and join in social events with your cohort and the rest of the program. 
• Class assignments include group projects where you will coordinate with your team to work on your project together.  
• There are occasional synchronous workshops, class meet ups, and program meetings. 
• Our Student Success Coordinator is there to help you with everything you need to be successful in the program. 

Yes. You can find that information here.

Information on scholarships can be found here. Additionally, students may apply for a scholarship from the Puget Sound Partnership Program which supports School Counseling and School Psychology students with scholarships and financial aid options.

We occasionally have opportunities for graduate assistantships, which are posted for current students as they become available.

The program is in the process of CACREP accreditation. 

Counselor licensure varies by state. We encourage you to reach out to your state licensing board to determine if Seattle University’s Online Master's in School Counseling program will lead to licensure in your state. For quick reference, visit our interactive Licensure Disclosure page to determine whether the Master's in School Counseling from Washington will lead to licensure in other states. The American Counseling Association provides a list of links to  US State Professional Counselor Licensure Boards.

School counseling graduates are employed in both private and public K-12 school settings as professional school counselors. Additionally, students can pursue work in other social service agencies and mental health clinics.

Practicum occurs in the spring quarter of the second year and internship occurs at the same location in the subsequent fall, winter and spring.

Practicum is 100 hours of which 40 are direct client contact. Students take part in a weekly group supervision class on campus, as well as individual or triadic supervision with a faculty supervisor one hour per week.

Internship is 600 hours of which 240 are direct client contact. Students also take part in weekly group supervision class on campus each quarter.

Fingerprints and background checks will be required. 

A list of current Practicum and internship sites will be provided to the student by the Internship Placement and Licensing Coordinator or by the student's Practicum and Internship Advisor. Students can request permission to intern at other sites by contacting the Internship Placement and Licensing Coordinator.

The counseling programs have a dedicated Internship Placement and Licensing Coordinator who supports you as soon as you enter the program with discerning the right internship experience, including monthly workshops on how to research sites, prepare a counseling resume, prepare for interviews or initiate opportunities with new internship sites. The program has extensive partnerships and a robust system of resources and supports for the internship search process.

Most of our students end up pursuing internships in sites where students have worked before. However, we support the coordination of unique internship opportunities. Student internships are governed by regulations set forth by CACREP, Washington state administrative codes and program advisory councils.  In these cases, we will work in collaboration with students to explore how the unique internship can meet practical counseling experience requirements.

Though they are rare, there may be an opportunity to be hired by a district as a conditionally/emergency certified school counselor. Paid opportunities are only available to interns (not during practicum).

There is a summer residency that takes place on the Seattle University campus. 

• The summer residency occurs across four days over the summer after the first and the second year in the program after the first and the second year in the program. 
• The purpose of the summer residency is to develop clinical skills, attend workshops and symposia, connect with cohort members and meet the staff and faculty. 
• Attendance and participation in summer residency is required for graduation. 

Students are charged a residency fee, which can be found here. This covers the cost of materials, presenters, and lunch. Additionally, students should anticipate costs for travel, lodging, and breakfast, and dinner.