Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall
On-Campus
About the MEd in School Counseling at Loyola
Disrupt inequities in our educational system and lift up underserved and disenfranchised populations with the MEd in School Counseling at Loyola University Chicago. Our Master of Education in School Counseling will help you achieve your goal of practicing counseling in elementary or secondary schools.
Loyola's school counseling master's meets Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) curricular standards for school counseling training programs. By completing the MEd in School Counseling, you will qualify to apply for a School Counseling Professional Educator License (PEL) in Illinois.
Program Structure
The MEd in School Counseling can be pursued full time or part time. Classes are held weekday evenings at Loyola's Water Tower Campus, conveniently located off the Red Line in the heart of Chicago.
Completion of the school counseling master's requires 48 semester hours, 700 clock hours of practicum/internship experience, and a comprehensive examination.
Why Choose Loyola for an MEd in School Counseling?
- Gain skills to help the underserved
- Qualify for Illinois School Counseling PEL
- Engage in social justice-focused research
- Experiences in Chicago schools that can lead to jobs
- Learn from experts in school counseling
- Earn your School Counseling MEd in just two years
If you want to help underserved communities living with disparities in health and well-being, the MEd in School Counseling is for you. You will be able to apply what you learn through the program in an ethical, reflective, and culturally responsive way.
Through a master's of education in school counseling that was designed to meet ISBE curricular standards for school counseling, you will be positioned to apply for a School Counseling Professional Education License (PEL).
Benefit from a school counseling master's with mentored research opportunities in faculty labs dedicated to social justice-focused research, including racism, achievement gaps, immigration, and microaggressions.
Due to our location you will have easy access to practicums/internships in Chicago public and private schools. These clinical training opportunities not only give you valuable hands-on experience but can also lead to your next school counseling job.
You will learn from dedicated Loyola University Chicago's counseling faculty who are experts in their fields. They also will be there to mentor, guide, and support you throughout each stage of the MEd in School Counseling.
Take classes full time and complete the MEd in School Counseling in just two years or take up to five years through part-time study. You have the flexibility to choose the option that best fits your schedule and your life.
Counseling Psychology Department
The Department of Counseling Psychology recognizes the need for advocacy and innovative counseling strategies to address significant mental health, educational, and career disparities affecting marginalized communities. With this commitment, our programs focus on applied research and professional development, grounded in social justice principles. Explore more about the department and read stories featuring current students and graduates from the School of Education.
Department WebsiteMeet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Education faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the School Counseling MEd program.
FacultySchool Counseling: Career Connections
By earning your master's of education in school counseling from Loyola University Chicago, you will have the knowledge, skills, and values you need to succeed as a school counselor and more.
Specific job options include:
- School counselor
- Career counselor
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the School Counseling MEd program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide School Counseling MEd learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogMEd in School Counseling Results and Skills
You will be prepared to work in an elementary or secondary school setting, applying skills in research evaluation and implementation of interventions for student success. You will also be adept at collaborating with multiple parties, including students, parents, teachers, administrators, community, and more.
- Understand the knowledge bases of the counseling professions and apply this knowledge in an ethical, reflective, and culturally-responsive manner, factoring in social-cultural contexts of human development.
- Practice as a culturally sensitive professional who thinks critically and bases your work on scholarly inquiry.
- Be committed to social justice, and embrace the role of change agent and advocate in our education system.
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the School Counseling MEd totals $51360.00, or 48 credit hours at a cost of $1,070.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
School of Education Financial Aid & Scholarships
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost and Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education. You may also visit the School of Education Scholarships page for detailed information about eligible scholarships.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
More information about financial aid opportunities can be found on the Financial Aid Office website.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe School of Education offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the School Counseling MEd are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall: February 1
Please note that applications are not reviewed until the deadline passes, and decisions are typically made mid-March.
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the School Counseling MEd include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
2 Letters of Recommendation
3.0 Minimum GPA
Statement of Purpose
Statement of Purpose Details
Your statement should be 1-3 pages and describe your academic and research interests, professional goals, and life experiences that have influenced your view of social justice.
Official Documents
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts (with U.S. educational credentials) sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived, and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted for international applicants.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the School Counseling MEd program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
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