Master of Arts in School Counseling
Ready to Join Us? Start the Next Steps
Sacred Heart University’s Master of Arts in School Counseling degree is a 60 credit hour program that incorporates real world experience and 21st century curriculum to prepare competent, ethical, effective and data-driven school counselors, who are social justice advocates and leaders, to support PK-12 students across the domains of academic development, college and career readiness and social-emotional learning and development.
The School Counseling program is designed to meet the highest level of accreditation standards for counseling programs and has a foundation in The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) 2016 Standards, as well as the ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies outlined by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). It will meet or exceeds the academic and fieldwork experiences for certification/licensure requirements in a majority of states throughout the U.S.
Mission
Sacred Heart University’s (SHU) Master of Arts in School Counseling is uniquely designed with the mission, vision and values of SHU at its heart. In the spirit of whole person wellness, the philosophical tenants of counseling, as a field, align well with SHU. With careful attention to the comprehensive standards set forth by CACREP and ASCA, SHU’s School Counseling program is designed in a way that focuses on integrity, respect and the ethical care of our learners and those they serve (primarily K-12 students). Building on SHU’s experience of delivering academic excellence in a low-residency, online format allows for broader outreach to diverse adult learner populations.
The Master of Arts in School Counseling program strongly supports SHU’s Farrington College of Education’s goal of preparing educational leaders to “personally and professionally make a difference in the global community.” Additionally, the program aligns to Sacred Heart University’s Core Values. Specifically, the program is committed to excellence by actively pursuing truth and knowledge through teaching and scholarship of its faculty and students. The program is committed to the common good of society by addressing significant (and growing) societal issues in K-12 schools. It explicitly recognizes the dignity and worth of every human being by focusing on prevention, resilience and holistic well-being of all students.
Learn more about how the online School Counseling program can further your education and prepare you to make a difference.
Methods of Instruction
The 60 hour Master of Arts in School Counseling degree at Sacred Heart University is a low-residency, online program. Students complete two (2) week-long, on-ground residency experiences at the Sacred Heart campus in Fairfield, CT. One residency occurs in students first term within the program, COU 520, while the second residency occurs during COU 610. Courses within the program include both asynchronous and synchronous instruction and is conducted through the learning management system, Blackboard. During the final terms of the program, students will complete fieldwork requirements totaling 800 hours (SC 550, SC 560, & SC 570) in PK-12 school settings (across to state specific requirements.
Dual Degree Program
Students apply to the Bachelor's-Master of Arts in School Counseling 4+2 Dual Degree Program as incoming freshmen and are admitted directly into the graduate program at the same time as their admission as undergraduate students. Students in the 4+2 MASC Dual Degree program complete their baccalaureate degree in four years of undergraduate study and complete the Master of Arts in School Counseling in two years of graduate study.
Licensure & Disclosures
Visit the School Counseling Certification/Licensure & Disclosures page for details.
- More information about CSDE 068 School Counselor certification requirements
- More information about other state certification requirements
Accreditation
Sacred Heart University is a private, nonprofit university accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Currently, Sacred Heart University’s Master of Arts in School Counseling degree is not accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. However, it is planning a self-study and pursuing CACREP accreditation once eligible. The School Counseling program is an approved certification program with the Connecticut State Department of Education.