Online Master's in School Counseling

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Credit Hours

Online* with required intensives

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Provide Supportive Student Care and Counseling with a Master’s in Educational Counseling Online

Imagine the impact a guiding figure had on your life’s direction. Was there a teacher who shaped your journey? If you’re passionate about being a positive influence in the lives of young people, pursuing a career as a school counselor could be the perfect fit for you. As a school counselor, you can have the opportunity to support students as they navigate the challenges of their school years.

Liberty University’s CACREP–accredited Master of Education (MEd) in School Counseling offers a comprehensive pathway to becoming a school counselor in Christian, public, and private schools. This program also holds accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), ensuring that your education meets the highest standards of quality.

So, why choose our online school counselor programs? Through this MEd in School Counseling, you’ll develop advanced skills in counseling and psychology, with a focus on ethics, assessment, evaluation, and group counseling techniques. This program is specifically designed to help prepare you for K-12 school counseling licensure**, equipping you with the credentials to support students from diverse backgrounds.

As you work toward your master’s degree in guidance counseling, you can gain both practical and theoretical knowledge to apply in real-world situations. Our online program can train you to help students overcome various challenges and set achievable goals for their futures. You won’t just assist students in applying for college, securing scholarships, and finding jobs; you can also play a critical role in their mental and emotional well-being throughout their K-12 education.

Start your journey in an online school counselor program today. Explore ways to design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive school counseling programs that are culturally sensitive and promote the career, personal, social, and academic development of children and adolescents.

Your officially conferred degree name will be Master of Education (MEd) in School Counseling.

This program requires 2 intensive courses. Currently, students have a choice of completing these in person in Lynchburg, Va., or in an online, synchronous format. Beginning Fall 2026 with the 2026-2027 DCP, students will be required to attend both courses in person.

*Some exclusions apply. Please refer to our exclusions page for more information.

**Please note: The MEd in School Counseling may be used to obtain an advanced-level license for PreK-12 school personnel. Candidates residing in Virginia must have completed 2 years of successful, full-time teaching experience or 2 years of successful experience in guidance and counseling to qualify for the school counseling license. Individual state licensure requirements may vary. Please verify licensure requirements for the state in which you reside.

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Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Master’s in School Counseling Program?

Choosing Liberty University’s online master’s in school counseling program means choosing a path where your education meets your calling. At Liberty, we don’t just offer an education – we offer an opportunity to impact the world through compassionate, school counseling.

Our school counseling master’s online program is designed to foster a collaborative learning environment, bringing together a culturally diverse, global student body. Here, you can work to become a competent, responsible, ethical, and professional school counselor empowered to serve in public, private, and Christian schools across all educational levels. Whether you aim to support elementary, middle, or high school students, Liberty’s online master’s degree programs in counseling could provide you with the credentials you need to start your career journey.

One of the key advantages of Liberty’s program is the opportunity to network with professionals nationwide while learning from industry experts. The rigorous curriculum, paired with practical field experience, can assist you in becoming prepared to address the diverse needs of students, promoting their mental, spiritual, and physical health. Our program emphasizes a balanced approach to counseling that supports both academic achievement and overall well-being.

With the opportunity to complete a full-semester practicum and 2 full-semester internships, you can gain hands-on experience. These placements allow you to apply classroom knowledge in real-world situations, working alongside seasoned professionals to refine your skills. By the time you graduate, you can be ready to make a meaningful difference as a licensed school counselor, joining the ranks of Liberty graduates who are fulfilling their calling in this vital field.

What Will You Study in A Master’s in Education Counseling Online?

In an online master’s in education counseling degree, you can gain the comprehensive tools to become a K-12 school counselor. Online graduate counseling programs are designed to help equip you with the skills to counsel children from diverse backgrounds, conduct thorough assessments and evaluations, and implement group counseling techniques within the school environment.

As part of a guidance counselor master’s program, you can:

Delve into culturally sensitive counseling practices, exploring social justice and advocacy approaches that respect the diverse belief systems found in today’s society.
Study best practices for developing, implementing, and evaluating K-12 school counseling programs that promote access and equity for all students.
Learn to recognize the family, personal, and environmental factors that influence the development of students at all educational levels.
Prepare to navigate the ethical and legal challenges you’ll encounter in your counseling career.

Our online school counseling master’s program covers a broad spectrum of general counseling methods and specialized topics in educational counseling. By blending theoretical knowledge with practical application, you could develop a well-rounded approach to counseling that supports both the personal and academic growth of students.

To enhance your educational experience, you’ll complete 2 intensive courses, 1 full-semester practicum, and 2 full-semester internships. These placements will allow you to gain valuable, hands-on experience in the field, strengthening your résumé and helping you meet the requirements for school counseling licensure.

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

This program falls under the School of Behavioral Sciences.
View the Graduate Behavioral Sciences Course Guides (login required).
View our School Counseling Advising Guide.
Students should verify any additional licensure requirements.
This program is accredited by both CAEP and CACREP.
This program is available online with required intensives.
This program requires 2 intensives, 1 full-semester practicum, and 2 full-semester internships.

Degree Completion Plan

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

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State Licensure Requirements

Individual state licensure requirements may vary and are subject to change without notice. View your state’s requirements here: licensure/certification requirements.

Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

Graduate Full Time	$580/Credit
Graduate Part Time	$645/Credit
Military Graduate	$290/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Our School Counseling Graduate Program Online

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 2.7 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
Admission into this program also includes:
- Contact information for 2 recommenders from professional sources (i.e., not family/friends). This form can be submitted online (login required). These individuals should be qualified to address the applicant’s ability to complete the graduate-level work, disposition, and ability to become a counselor, and their maturity, motivation, and ethics. Some examples of individuals that may be suitable include professors, employers, or leaders in an organization where the applicant volunteers. Please note: This contact information must be less than 1 year old.
- Statement of Purpose
  - Please describe in 200-250 words why you desire to become a counselor and indicate the type of counselor certification you plan to seek after graduation.
  - Describe in 200-250 words an occasion in which you have interacted with an individual or a group of individuals from another culture. Identify the cultural differences which were present and how you demonstrated respect for those differences.
  - Describe in 200-250 words how you form effective interpersonal relationships with others in individual and group settings.
- Complete the form agreeing to the Master of Education in School Counseling’s Mission Statement and Diversity Statement.
Departmental approval is required for admission.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Transcript Policies

Unofficial College Transcript Policy

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
Cumulative GPA
A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Submit your application online or over the phone.

Start Online Application

Apply by phone: (800) 424-9595

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $375 per credit hour for EdS and EdD courses
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

View Military Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions for Online Masters in Counseling Programs

What is reciprocity?

Liberty University’s CAEP/CACREP accredited school counseling program is designed for licensure in Virginia and may be used for reciprocity through licensure or accreditation in another state. Along with the successful completion of this degree, 2 years of prior teaching and/or school counseling experience will be needed to obtain a full license in Virginia. Those who do not have prior teaching and/or school counseling experience may qualify for a provisional license through accreditation according to the regulations of each state.

To view educational requirements and whether this specific program aligns with the licensure requirements for your state, please review our licensure/certification requirements webpage.

Is an online master’s degree in school counseling respected?

Like many students, you may be wondering whether an online Master of Education in School Counseling holds the same weight as a residential program. As long as you attend a university and/or program that is accredited, you can be confident that your master’s degree will hold weight as an advanced educational credential.

At Liberty, we have just what you need. We are institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Additionally, our online master’s in school counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) – and by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

With our master’s in school counseling online, you can be confident that you’re earning a degree that may serve you well for years to come.

Is a school counseling degree online the same as an online guidance counselor degree?

Maybe you’ve been searching for an online guidance counselor program, and you’re wondering whether Liberty’s Master of Education in School Counseling fits the bill.

Many people use the terms “school counselor” and “guidance counselor” interchangeably, but these terms do have different connotations. In fact, the term “guidance counselor” is now considered outdated in many circles. Over the years, guidance counseling has morphed into school counseling – with the change in terminology reflecting the way that today’s school counselors are quite different from the guidance counselors of the past.

Traditionally, guidance counselors have had a more vocational focus, with an emphasis on helping students prepare for college or a career. In contrast, school counselors offer a more comprehensive approach to helping students succeed. Not only do they focus on vocational matters – they also help foster students’ mental, emotional, and social well-being as they navigate the challenges of school. Today, the term “school counselor” is growing in popularity because it more fully denotes the scope of this role than the term “guidance counselor” does.

At Liberty, we’ve designed our online school counseling master’s program to offer a broader, more well-rounded education than a standard master’s in guidance counseling online would. School counselors fulfill a wide range of responsibilities, and our comprehensive approach to counseling could help ensure that you’re ready to meet the current needs and challenges of this field.

Can I get a master’s in school counseling online?

Many of Liberty’s school counseling courses are offered 100% online, giving you the flexibility to complete your assignments from the comfort of your home. You’ll also complete 2 intensive courses – and you’ll complete 1 practicum and 2 internships at an approved location near you.

Your practicum and internship placements can help you put your skills to the test in a real-world setting. This mix of online and in-person training can help provide the flexibility, rigor, and networking opportunities you need to prepare for your career.

Is a school counseling degree worth it?

In general, a master’s degree and state licensure/certification are required if you want to work as a school counselor. If you are confident that this is the career path you want to pursue, a master’s in education counseling online can be an invaluable investment.

Liberty’s MEd in School Counseling could help provide the training you need to work as a licensed school counselor. Individual state requirements may vary – to find out whether our program is the best fit for you, be sure to research the licensure requirements in your state.

Are you ready to change your future?

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Online Master’s in School Counseling (MEd) Your CACREP-accredited Path to Counseling Mastery

Provide Supportive Student Care and Counseling with a Master’s in Educational Counseling Online

What Sets Us Apart?

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Master’s in School Counseling Program?

What Will You Study in A Master’s in Education Counseling Online?

Potential Career Opportunities

Featured Courses

Degree Information

Not sure what to choose?

State Licensure Requirements

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for Our School Counseling Graduate Program Online

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

Ready to Apply?

Military

Frequently Asked Questions for Online Masters in Counseling Programs

What is reciprocity?

Is an online master’s degree in school counseling respected?

Is a school counseling degree online the same as an online guidance counselor degree?

Can I get a master’s in school counseling online?

Is a school counseling degree worth it?

Are you ready to change your future?

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