---
title: "Counseling - School Counseling - M.A."
url: "/academics/programs/school-counseling-ma"
type: program
date: 2026-06-09
updated: 2026-06-10
---
# Counseling - School Counseling - M.A.
# Counseling - School Counseling - M.A.
**Help students grow academically, emotionally, and personally, and walk a little taller knowing you made a difference.**
Manhattan University's Master of Arts in School Counseling prepares you for certification as a K-12 school counselor in New York State. Grounded in research and shaped by the real needs of today's schools, the program teaches culturally sustaining, anti-racist practices and pairs small classes with hands-on field experience, so you graduate ready to guide students through their academic and personal development.
[ Request Information ](/graduate/admissions/request-information)
[ Visit Manhattan University ](/admissions/visit) [ Explore Kakos School of Arts and Sciences ](/academics/kakos)
Credit Hours60
Time to Complete2 - 3 Years
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This program is part of [Social and Behavioral Sciences](/academics/kakos/departments/social-behavioral)
What Set's Us Apart The Manhattan University Difference
## What Sets Us Apart
Manhattan University's School Counseling program blends rigorous, research-grounded coursework with the personal attention of a small graduate cohort. You will train alongside faculty who practice in the field, gain real K-12 experience, and build a clear path toward New York State certification, all on a schedule designed for working professionals.
Path to NYS Licensure
Meet New York State's requirements toward certification as a K-12 school counselor after a state-administered exam.
Culturally Sustaining Practice
Learn culturally sustaining, anti-racist counseling practices that support the development of every student you serve.
Faculty Who Practice
Study with faculty who are practicing school and mental health counselors and psychologists in the field.
Built for Working Professionals
Choose a blended schedule of evening and synchronous online classes, with full- and part-time pathways.
K-12 Field Experience
Complete a 700-hour internship in local K-12 schools under the supervision of an experienced school counselor.
A Connected Community
Join the Center for Optimal College Readiness and partner with local schools, teachers, and counselors.
SCHOOL COUNSELING BY THE NUMBERS
## A Degree Built for Impact
60
Minimum Credit Hours
Flexible
In-person and online coursework
2-3 Years
Average Time to Completion
Why Study School Counseling
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The Manhattan Advantage
## Why Study School Counseling at Manhattan University?
At Manhattan University, you prepare to become a school counselor in a program grounded in research and shaped by what schools actually need. You will learn culturally sustaining, anti-racist practices in small classes led by faculty who are practicing counselors, then put them to work through a 700-hour internship in local K-12 schools, where many graduates later return as site supervisors and mentors. With a blended schedule built for working professionals and a location minutes from New York City and Westchester County, you graduate ready to help students reach their academic, personal, and career goals.
[ Explore Graduate Programs ](/graduate/academics)
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Curriculum & Courses This block only displays content on program pages.
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## Why Study in New York City
New York City and the surrounding region offer an exceptional setting for training as a school counselor. Manhattan University sits minutes from the city and close to Westchester County, giving students access to K-12 schools serving some of the most ethnically, culturally, and socioeconomically diverse communities in the country. Through a 700-hour internship in local schools, you will work directly with students, teachers, and counselors, building the cultural competence and practical judgment that define an effective counselor. Many graduates are employed across New York City and Westchester County, and many return to mentor the next generation of counselors-in-training.
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## School Counseling: Skills That Shape Futures.
At Manhattan University, you graduate with the practical skills to guide students through academic, social, and personal growth. The program builds the core competencies of an effective, empathetic school counselor.
Individual and Group Counseling
Counsel students one-on-one and in small groups to address social, behavioral, and emotional needs.
Academic and Career Readiness
Help students set academic and career goals and guide them through the college and career planning process.
Classroom Guidance
Design and deliver classroom guidance lessons that help students overcome social and behavioral challenges.
Study and Organizational Skills
Teach students the organizational, time-management, and study habits that support lasting academic success.
An Empathic Mindset
Practice with the empathy and care of a human service professional committed to every student's wellbeing.
Pathways to Leadership
Build toward roles in district-level counseling, school building leadership, and doctoral study.
## **Learn From Leaders in the Field**
The faculty in this program are more than professors; they are practitioners. School counselors, mental health counselors, and psychologists bring years of field experience into small classes, accelerating your learning with insight that only active practice provides. They guide your academic, clinical, and professional growth from your first course through your final internship.
[Meet Departmental Faculty](/node/2334)
Careers & Outcomes This block only displays content on program pages.
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About
## The Kakos School of Arts and Sciences
The Kakos School of Arts and Sciences is the largest of Manhattan University's three schools, offering 33 undergraduate majors, six graduate programs, and six combined degrees across the humanities, natural and social sciences, and professional fields. Grounded in the University's Lasallian Catholic mission and located near the heart of New York City, the School pairs rigorous academics with small classes, close faculty mentorship, and real-world experience throughout the five boroughs and beyond. With strong pre-law and pre-health advising and a focus on ethical, engaged scholarship, Kakos graduates leave prepared to lead, and the University ranks in the top 3% nationally for salary impact (Wall Street Journal, 2026), evidence of where that preparation leads.
[ Explore Kakos School of Arts and Sciences ](/academics/kakos)
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Program Costs & Aid ## Program Costs & Financial Aid
Manhattan University is committed to making a high-quality, career-focused graduate education accessible and affordable. Graduate students may qualify for assistantships, scholarships, and federal aid that significantly reduce the overall cost of attendance.
- [**View Tuition & Fees**](/graduate/tuition-fees "Tuition & Fees | Graduate")
- [**View Graduate Assistantships**](/admissions/financial-aid/student-employment/graduate-lab-assistantships "Graduate and Lab Assistantships | Financial Aid")
- [**Explore Scholarships Scholarships**](/admissions/financial-aid/loans-grants/scholarships-and-grants "Aid, Scholarships and Grants")
- [**View Graduate Federal Aid and Grants**](/graduate/financial-aid "Grants and Loans | Graduate")
A Manhattan University education is an investment in your future, and we are dedicated to helping you access the resources that make it possible.
[Learn More About Graduate Costs and Financial Aid](/graduate "Graduate Education")
Admission Information ## Admissions Information
**Start Your Journey in School Counseling**
Applying to Manhattan University is simple and straightforward. Review the requirements below to take the next step toward advancing your career.
**Requirements:**
- Applicants for master's programs must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or institution.
- Normally, an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale is required, although other factors may be considered in the admission decision.
- Ideally, applicants should have suitable preparation in the behavioral sciences. Consideration will be given for teaching experience and for other applicable experience. Applicants who possess a bachelor's degree but lack relevant background experience may be required to take prerequisite courses for admission.
- Other factors will be considered for admission, such as years of professional experience, a high average in your major field, scores on required standardized tests, or academic development beyond the baccalaureate degree.
[Learn More about Graduate Admissions](/graduate "Graduate Education")
[Learn More about International Graduate Admissions](/graduate/admissions/graduate-requirements "Graduate Student Requirements")
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## Prepare for the Real World
At Manhattan University, your education is built around who you are and where you want to go. Whether you’re ready to apply or just starting to explore, take the next step when you’re ready — we’re here to help.
[Apply Today](/admissions/apply)
[Visit Manhattan University](/admissions/visit)
[Request Information](/admissions/undergraduate/request-information)
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