Today’s youth face an array of alarming issues, such as abuse, neglect, divorce, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, pregnancies, eating disorders, bullying, and suicide, all of which interfere with students’ stability. School Counselors (SC) (formerly known as Guidance Counselors) are essential to helping schools meet the academic and social/emotional needs and their college and career readiness and safety for their students. The lives and futures of these students will be more promising with the concern, encouragement, and direction offered by caring SCs.
If you are considering a career as a school counselor, Indiana Wesleyan University is a wonderful option. We offer an online 60-credit hour master’s program with options for 1) a stronger depth of School Counseling or 2) adding on Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Both options educate and prepare students for a career in school counseling. Students learn to link counseling theory and techniques to Christ-like service through the integration of Christian principles as they are trained to be servant-leaders in the school setting.
Indiana Wesleyan University’s School Counseling (SC) Program and School Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Program (SC/CMHC) both require 60 credit hours. Of those 60 credit hours:
Why Pursue My Master’s in School Counseling Online at IWU?
Online school counseling programs are designed to train SCs to help pre-kindergarten through high school students succeed in both academics and in life in an accessible and flexible format so you do not need to put your career on hold. Our Christian faculty teach from the same biblical worldview valued on our campus, so that students can implement these principles in a fulfilling career. IWU’s master’s in school counseling is nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This accreditation validates the strength and rigor of the program. Graduates will be recommended for licensure or certification upon completion of academic requirements and certification or licensing exams in their respective states. After following the state process of applications, payments, and/or tests, they will be qualified to serve as school counselors. Check with your state to determine licensure eligibility.
What Will I Learn in a Master’s in School Counseling Program?
Indiana Wesleyan University’s master’s in school counseling prepares future professional school counselors in knowledge, skills, and best practices of school counseling with Christ-like servant leadership to work with culturally diverse students, faculty, and families. Upon completion of the master’s in school counseling program, you’ll be able to articulate a clear understanding of the SC professional identity and deliver services with multicultural competence. You will be equipped to display counseling appraisal skills and knowledge of the foundations of school counseling that demonstrate validity and reliability while applying relevant research findings from professional literature to inform developmental treatment plans and intervention strategies. With respect for the separation between church and state, our Christ-centered approach helps you to integrate faith-based or spirituality-based principles and strategies in the practice of school counseling, to promote education equity and social justice.
Your Master of Arts in Graduate Counseling may be closer than you think! Learn more about the Graduate Counseling programs at Indiana Wesleyan, and the incredible faculty team dedicated to making helping you take the next steps in your counseling career!
What Makes IWU Different?
IWU has provided on-campus education for more than 100 years.
Faith-integrated curriculum and a commitment to changing the world.
Center for Student Success for counseling, tutoring, and more!
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans’ benefits, and employer reimbursement.
These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence.
*Requires fifteen (15) credit hours of electives.
These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence. For a full list of courses required to complete your degree, please visit the course catalog. Click on a course below to view the description.
CNS-501,CNS-502,CNS-503,CNS-504,CNS-506,CNS-507,CNS-508,CNS-509,CNS-550S,CNS-551S,CNS-552S,CNS-519,CNS-527,CNS-529
NOTE: The graduate admissions committee retains the right to waive an admission requirement for special circumstances. Successful graduate coursework may be substituted for the GRE.
Up to 35% of a program's required credit hours may be transferred from an accredited institution into a graduate-level counseling program at Indiana Wesleyan University.
SPECIAL NOTE:
Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.
The school counseling specialization is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), 500 Montgomery Street, Suite 350, Alexandria, VA 22314, Phone: 703-535-5990 | Web: www.cacrep.org, an accrediting arm of the American Counseling Association (ACA), 5999 Stevenson Ave., Alexandria, Va. 22304, 800-347-6647.
