Online M.Ed. in Counseling and Development in School Counseling
Deliver Counseling Services to Students in Your Community
Online with Internships/ Practicums
3 Years (7 Semesters)
60 Credit Hours
$699 per Credit
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Ensure Students Receive the Support Needed to Thrive
- Apply By: 05/15/26
- Start Class: 08/24/26
Recent data shows that 40 percent of high school students have experienced persistent sadness and other negative feelings, indicating the great need for school counselors today.1 By choosing the School Counseling concentration for your M.Ed. in Counseling and Development degree, you’ll prepare to assist PK-12 students with challenges they face while supporting their academic, social and emotional growth.
Winthrop University offers the School Counseling concentration online, enabling you to build professional competencies in your preferred location. You’ll interact with other students in your cohort and engage in hands-on learning experiences that impart practical skills for your school counseling career.
Concentration Details
- Prepare to attain licensure in South Carolina and other locations*
- Explore foundational school counseling and ethical issues impacting this field
- Build skills in school planning, consulting and supervision
- Accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Develop Expertise for Empowering Student Success
Through this concentration, you’ll explore the history of school counseling and examine major trends impacting this field. The coursework will help you understand the vital role that school counselors play in educational settings, reinforced by instruction on ethical practices and legal considerations. Guided by our expert faculty, you’ll learn methods for planning, implementing and evaluating school counseling initiatives that make a difference for students.
School Counseling Required Courses
This course provides an introduction to professional school counseling and consultation encompassing the history, philosophy, and trends in school counseling, as well as the roles and functions of the professional school counselor. A major portion of this course is the study of ethical practice, which will cover ASCA and ACA codes and standards, as well as legal issues in counseling practice.
Notes: Offered periodically.
Prerequisites: CSDV admission or permission of the instructor.
This course provides an understanding of the planning, organizing, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive school counseling program including consultation and supervision models, practices, and processes.
Notes: Offered periodically.
Prerequisite: CSDV admission or permission of the instructor.
In addition to the concentration coursework, you’ll take core courses that deliver in-depth knowledge for a successful counseling career. Winthrop’s M.Ed. in Counseling and Development also provides hands-on experience through practicums and internships, enabling you to apply your skills in real-world counseling settings.
View Program CurriculumWhat Can You Achieve as a School Counselor?
Prepare to enter the school counseling field to empower PK-12 students to develop academic skills. You’ll also support their personal development to help them form friendships, navigate challenges and become productive members of society. This field is in high demand, as projections show there will be 31,000 openings for school and career counselors each year through 2034.2 Here are the median salaries for two common work settings:
Public elementary and secondary schools $76,960 per year2
Private elementary and secondary schools $62,090 per year2
Are You Interested in Another Concentration?
Winthrop offers multiple ways to tailor your M.Ed. in Counseling and Development degree to your goals. Explore the following concentration to discover another specialized career path:
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
You can contact an enrollment specialist toll-free at 833-257-1704 with questions or request more information today.
Visit the admissions overview page to learn more about the admissions requirements. Requirements will vary in the cases of international students and other situations.
You can earn the Master of Education in Counseling and Development online in just 3 years (7 semesters). The program is 60 credit hours offered full-time.
Winthrop University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, master’s, and specialist degrees. The online Master of Education in School Counseling and online Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Winthrop University meet the high standards of excellence for CACREP Accreditation.
The 2024 CACREP Standards Cover:
- The Learning Environment
- Academic Quality
- Foundational Counseling Curriculum
- Professional Practice
- Entry-Level Specialized Practice Areas in the Following Topics:
- Addiction Counseling
- Career Counseling
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- College Counseling and Student Affairs
- Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
- Rehabilitation Counseling
- School Counseling
Yes, there is a residency.
Beginning Fall 2026, all fully online master’s students must complete a CACREP-required residency as part of the CSDV program. This residency enables faculty to directly assess students’ core counseling skills and professional behaviors.
Residency Details:
- Course: CSDV 602 Counseling Skills
- Format: Two consecutive days (Friday–Saturday) on campus
- Timing: One weekend between October and December
- Attendance: Students must attend one of two scheduled residency sessions offered during the fall semester
Students will work directly with faculty and peers following a structured schedule at a predetermined campus location.
The tuition for the online Master of Education in Counseling and Development program is $699 per credit for a total tuition of $41,940. For more information, you can visit our tuition and financial aid page.
Sources and Disclaimer
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health.” Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/children-mental-health/data-research/index.html.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “School and Career Counselors and Advisors.” Retrieved October 24, 2025, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm.
*Professional Licensure Disclosure: Requirements for professional licensure in counseling vary from state to state. Winthrop’s School Counseling program is designed to meet SC and NC licensure requirements for school counseling and may not meet requirements from other states. We are unable to make a determination about whether or not our program will lead to licensure in other states. Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure, we strongly recommend you contact the state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements.