MEd in School Counseling
Support students as their school counselor, with a special emphasis on lifting up underserved and disenfranchised populations
Earn your professional license as a school counselor in a program committed to breaking barriers and disrupting the current inequities in our educational system.
Want to learn more?
Here are answers to our Frequently Asked Questions.
Our Commitment to You
4 faculty labs dedicated to social justice-focused research, including racism, achievement gaps, immigration, and micro-aggressions
Upon graduation with an MEd degree in school counseling from Loyola, you will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values necessary to commence work as a school counselor.
Knowledge
You'll understand the knowledge bases of the counseling professions and apply this knowledge an ethical, reflective, and culturally-responsive manner, factoring in social-cultural contexts of human development.
Skills
You'll be ready to work in an elementary or secondary school setting, applying skills in research evaluation and implementation of interventions for student success. You'll also be adept at collaborating with multiple parties within a school context (e.g., students, parents, teachers, administrators, community, etc.).
Professional Values
You'll practice as a culturally sensitive professional who thinks critically and bases your work on scholarly inquiry. You'll be committed to social justice, and embrace the role of change agent and advocate in our education system.
Program Faculty
Our dedicated Counseling Faculty are experts in their fields who will support students throughout each stage of the program.
Check out this video to learn more about their experiences and expertise in the field.
Curriculum
Completion of the MEd degree program requires 48 semester hours, 700 clock hours of practicum/internship experience, and a comprehensive examination.
For more information about the following items, please refer to the Counseling Student Handbook 2022-2023
Program Length
Full-time students will complete the program in two years, including at least one summer. Part-time study is also available. Students have five years from acceptance to complete the program.
Continuous Enrollments
MEd students in School Counseling are required to maintain the status of continuous enrollment during their program of studies. This means that during each semester of each academic year (excluding Summer Sessions), each student must enroll in at least one course. A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and the approval of the School of Education’s Assistant Dean of Student Academic Affairs.
Degree Requirements
Undergraduate Prerequisites
Students should present transcript evidence of successful completion ("B" or better) of an introductory statistics course or its equivalent. Ideally, students will have completed this course prior to the start of the program.
Required Core Courses (27 semester hours)
- CPSY 420: Counseling Skills
- CPSY 421: Professional Issues in Counseling
- CPSY 423: Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
- CPSY 424: Career Development and Counseling
- CPSY 425: Assessment in Counseling
- CPSY 426: Group Counseling
- CPSY 433: Multicultural Counseling
- CPSY 454: Human Development
- RMTD 400: Introduction to Research Methodology
Specialty Courses (18 semester hours)
- CPSY 428: Foundations of Professional School
Counseling - CPSY 431: Advanced School Counseling and
Consultation - CPSY 458: Adolescent Development and Counseling
- CPSY 440: Practicum (3 semester hours)
- CPSY 441: Internship (3 semester hours)
- CIEP 423: Advanced Literacy Instruction
Elective (3 semester hours)
Example electives include:
- CPSY 437: Addictions Counseling
- CPSY 444: Family Therapy I
- CPSY 485: Career Assessment
- CIEP 401: The Exceptional Child
- CIEP 414: Instructional Strategies for Diverse Populations
- CIEP 478: Behavior Intervention: Assessments and
Support
Additional Coursework
The school counselor endorsement in Illinois requires a teaching endorsement or additional coursework in education. Students in the MEd program in School Counseling who do not hold a teaching license must complete the following additional coursework to be eligible in Illinois. These courses are:
- The Exceptional Child
- Instructional Strategies for Diverse Populations
- School Administration
Comprehensive Assessment
A school counseling exam is required during your practicum/internship. See program handbook for details. Comprehensive examination application deadlines are as follows (see the School of Education Academic Calendar for comprehensive exam dates).
Practicum
The Chicagoland area provides a wealth of clinical training opportunities for the students in community, school, and clinical mental health counseling programs. Students receive generalist training, but through site selection can begin to acquire population-specific competencies in working with children, adolescents, families, gay/lesbian/bisexual clients, and other groups of individuals. To discuss typical practicum settings and sites in Chicago and its suburbs, please contact Rufus Gonzales, Practicum Coordinator, at 312.915.6378
Licensure
The curriculum of the MEd program reflects current requirements for licensure in the State of Illinois. Licensure is handled by individual states, and portability of licensure across state lines differs according to each state. The Department of Professional Regulation in the State of Illinois has adopted the certification exam developed and administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors. Many states use this exam for licensure purposes, so scores from the exam can be transferred. Coursework, including the number of hours required, differ across states. Students interested in completing licensure or certification in another state are strongly advised to consult the professional regulation boards prior to enrolling at Loyola to determine the appropriate coursework required. Students should also stay apprised of licensure requirements throughout the program.
Students seeking school counseling licensure without a teaching endorsement must take the school counseling licensure exam in the semester prior to beginning CPSY 441: Internship, in the spring semester. The ISBE website provides information on dates exams are administered, fees, and registration procedures. The school counseling is administered by ISBE (not Loyola), and you must register with ISBE to take the exam.
Admission Requirements
Interested in applying? Check out the MEd School Counseling application requirements.
Contact
- For application related questions, contact Graduate Enrollment Management.
- For program structure and academics related questions, contact: Matthew Miller and Elizabeth Vera, Program Chairs
Tuition, Financial Aid and Scholarships
The School of Education and Loyola's Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the necessary financial resources to make their education at Loyola affordable. You can learn more on the Financial Assistance page.
Curriculum
Completion of the MEd degree program requires 48 semester hours, 700 clock hours of practicum/internship experience, and a comprehensive examination.
For more information about the following items, please refer to the Counseling Student Handbook 2022-2023
Admission Requirements
Interested in applying? Check out the MEd School Counseling application requirements.
Contact
- For application related questions, contact Graduate Enrollment Management.
- For program structure and academics related questions, contact: Matthew Miller and Elizabeth Vera, Program Chairs
Tuition, Financial Aid and Scholarships
The School of Education and Loyola's Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the necessary financial resources to make their education at Loyola affordable. You can learn more on the Financial Assistance page.