Online School Counseling Programs No GRE
A school counselor is part of a school’s education team, and may help students with their academic goals, their social and personal development and their career development. They may work in public or private elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in school counseling, there are many degree programs available. Compare online school counseling programs with no GRE requirement below to find a program that meets your needs.
Sponsored Online School Counseling Programs
University of Southern California (USC)
USC Rossier School of Education
Master of Education in School Counseling
The University of Southern California Rossier School of Education offers a Master of Education in School Counseling online for aspiring K-12 school counselors. The program can be completed in less than two years and there is no GRE requirement.
- No GRE required
- Prepares you for school counseling credential
- Bachelor’s degree required
University of Denver
Morgridge College of Education Online
Master of Arts in School Counseling
Advocate for P-12 students and become an agent of change in your community. With no GRE required, earn your Master in School Counseling online in as few as 24 months from the University of Denver. Gain valuable skills through a CACREP accredited curriculum centered on social justice.
- No GRE required
- Live, online classes
- Complete in as few as 24 months
New York University
NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance
Learn more about NYU Steinhardt’s online MA degree that prepares you to become a school counselor in as few as 18 months. Graduates can pursue certification and employment in pre-K–12 schools. Bachelor’s req.
- Complete in as few as 18 months.
- Pursue school counselor certification.
- Study bilingual school counseling (optional).
- GRE scores are not required.
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| University and Program Name | Test Requirement | Study Length | Number of Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams State University Master of Arts in School Counseling | No GRE Required | 2 years | 60 |
| Bradley University Master of Arts in Professional School Counseling | No GRE Required | 2 years | 60 |
| University of Louisiana Monroe Masters of Science in School Counseling | No GRE Required | 2 years | 60 |
| Capella University Master of Science in School Counseling | No GRE Required | 2+ years | 72 quarter credits |
| Boston College Master of Arts in School Counseling | No GRE Required | 2+ years | 48 |
| Liberty University Master of Education in School Counseling | No GRE Required | 2.5 years | 48 |
| California State University of Sacramento Master of Science in Counseling, Concentration in School Counseling with Embedded PPS Credential | No GRE Required | 2 years | 60 |
| University of Massachusetts in Boston Masters of Education in Counseling | No GRE Required | 2 years | 60 |
|
New York University
Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance SPONSORED | No GRE Required | As few as 18 months | 48 |
|
University of Denver
Master of Arts in School Counseling SPONSORED | No GRE Required | As few as 24 months | 72 quarter credits |
|
University of Southern California (USC)
Master of Education in School Counseling SPONSORED | No GRE Required | 2-3 years | 49 |
SPONSORED
List of Online Master’s in School Counseling Programs With No GRE Requirement
Adams State University
Department of Counselor Education and Family Therapy
Master of Arts in School Counseling
Alamosa, Colorado
Name of Degree: Master of Arts in School Counseling
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 60
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
- Undergraduate degree
- Two official transcripts
- CV/resume
- Two essays (professional and personal)
- Three letters of recommendation
Bradley University
College of Education and Health Sciences
Master of Arts in Professional School Counseling
Peoria, Illinois
Name of Degree: Master of Arts in Professional School Counseling
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 60
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Official transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- CV/resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- TOEFL, valid ID, and proof of funds (international students)
University of Louisiana Monroe
College of Health Sciences
Masters of Science in School Counseling
Monroe, Louisiana
Name of Degree: Masters of Science in School Counseling
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 60
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
- CV/resume
- Letter of interest
- Three letters of recommendation
Capella University
Master of Science in School Counseling
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Name of Degree: Master of Science in School Counseling
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 72 quarter credits
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- CV/resume
- Personal essay
- Valid ID
- Proof of fluency and transcript evaluation (for international applicants)
Boston College
School of Education and Human Development
Master of Arts in School Counseling
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Name of Degree: Master of Arts in School Counseling
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 48
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
- CV/resume
- Personal essay
- Two letters of recommendation
- Unofficial/official transcripts
- TOEFL and transcript evaluation (for international applicants)
Liberty University
School of Behavioral Sciences
Master of Education in School Counseling
Lynchburg, Virginia
Name of Degree: Master of Education in School Counseling
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2.5 years
Credits: 48
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
- Two references
- Bachelors degree
- Course prerequisite in statistics (3 credit hours)
- Statement of purpose
- Official transcripts
- Completion of form agreeing to Mission/Diversity Statement
- Proof of proficiency in English
California State University of Sacramento
College of Education
Master of Science in Counseling, Concentration in School Counseling with Embedded PPS Credential
Sacramento, California
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Counseling, Concentration in School Counseling with Embedded PPS Credential
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 60
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Written statement
- Official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- CV/resume
- Interview
North Carolina State University
College of Education
Master of Education in School Counseling
Raleigh, North Carolina
Name of Degree: Master of Education in School Counseling
Enrollment Type: Part-Time
Length of Program: 3 years
Credits: 60
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
- Official transcripts
- Bachelors degree
- Three letters of recommendation
- TOEFL (for international applicants)
Regent University
Master of Arts in School Counseling
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Name of Degree: Master of Arts in School Counseling
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 60
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Background survey
- Unofficial/official transcripts
- Three references
- Valid ID
- Interview
University of Massachusetts in Boston
College of Education and Human Development
Masters of Education in Counseling
Boston, Massachusetts
Name of Degree: Masters of Education in Counseling
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 60
Concentrations:Adjustment Counseling
Admission Requirements:
- CV/resume
- Letter of interest
- Three letters of recommendation
New York University
NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance
New York, New York
The Counseling@NYU program is designed for aspiring school counselors who want to help diverse pre-K–12 students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. The online MA degree program is delivered by the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, which educates students to use their knowledge creatively to inspire social change.
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: As few as 18 months
Credits: 48
University of Denver
Morgridge College of Education Online
Master of Arts in School Counseling
Denver, Colorado
Advocate for P-12 students and become an agent of change in your community. With no GRE required, earn your Master in School Counseling online in as few as 24 months from the University of Denver. Gain valuable skills through a CACREP accredited curriculum centered on social justice.
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: As few as 24 months
Credits: 72 quarter credits
Admission Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume
- Unofficial transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you attended; if admitted, official transcripts will be required
- Statement of professional goals
- Diversity statement
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University of Southern California (USC)
USC Rossier School of Education
Master of Education in School Counseling
Los Angeles, California
The University of Southern California Rossier School of Education offers a Master of Education in School Counseling online for aspiring K-12 school counselors. This program prepares students to pursue their credential as a school counselor and focuses on three core areas of study: college and career readiness, restorative justice, and trauma informed practices.
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2-3 years
Credits: 49
Admission Requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree or its recognized equivalent from a regionally accredited institution
- A superior scholastic record, normally above a 3.0 GPA
- The ability to communicate effectively (both written and verbal) as demonstrated by academic performance and/or professional experience
- A Statement of Purpose
- Two short-answer responses
- Employment Information
- A minimum of two letters of recommendation
- Basic Skills Requirement
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What to Look for in an Online Master’s in School Counseling Program
State licensure requirements
The National Board for Certified Counselors compiles an online directory with information about each state’s licensure requirements . Your state’s Department of Education will also be able to provide helpful information.
For licensure, pay special attention to a state’s requirements for the number of academic credit hours/courses. You may also want to learn about requirements for practicum/internship/fieldwork hours before enrolling as some schools integrate field learning into their program. Consider your state’s accreditation requirements for educational institutions and online graduate programs.
CACREP accreditation
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is the nationally recognized training standard for counselors by the National Academy of Medicine and the Department of Veterans Affairs. When choosing an online master’s in school counseling program with no GRE requirement, it may be important to consider CACREP accreditation status. Some states, such as Colorado, are only licensing new graduates from CACREP-affiliated programs (PDF, 587 KB).
Real-life experience and personal development
Counselors develop human relation traits such as empathy, boundaries and communication as essential therapeutic skills that are important to do their jobs well. Students may practice therapeutic skills in an internship/practicum and also on themselves. Look for a program that encourages self-exploration to deepen therapeutic skills and sets students up for opportunities to practice outside of the classroom.
FAQs
Schools may have a GRE waiver or no GRE requirement. Both may rely on other application materials to gauge whether you are a good fit for their program. A waiver typically requires an alternative test score such as an MAT or GMAT. Depending on the institution, an advanced degree or cumulative GPA above a certain threshold may also help waive the GRE requirement. Schools with no GRE requirement typically don’t ask you to take the GRE test and don’t require supplemental information. Students should verify the specific requirements with their prospective university.
School counselors work in a variety of environments from elementary to middle to high school. They impact youth, help them sort through difficult life transitions and family situations, give guidance about major choices and generally help to develop the well-being of the individuals they see. Different states have different requirements for becoming a school or guidance counselor.
The median wage for school and career counselors was $60,510 in May 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. The top 10% of counselors earned more than $98,190 while the lowest 10% earned $37,550 or less. The highest earners worked at state, local and private elementary or secondary schools.
Sponsored Online School Counseling Programs
If you’re ready to launch your career in counseling, learn about the best master’s programs with no GRE requirements for you.
Last updated: August 2022