Overview

The School Counseling programme at James Madison University provides a robust academic foundation for individuals seeking to become professional counselors in elementary, middle, or secondary school settings. This dual-degree pathway ensures that students earn both a Master of Education and an Educational Specialist degree, meeting all Virginia State Board of Education licensure regulations. By integrating theory with practical experience, the curriculum prepares graduates to address the emotional, social, and educational needs of a diverse student population.

Why School Counseling at James Madison University?

Choosing this programme means joining a dedicated learning community that values professional growth and ethical service. The curriculum is fully accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), ensuring high standards of training. A significant advantage for students is the inclusion of the Ed.S. degree, which provides a competitive edge in the job market and offers a pathway toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with minimal additional coursework. The university maintains strong reputations with local school divisions, which frequently praise graduates for their immediate readiness and professional competence.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 757 per credit
National fee: USD 757 per credit
Local fee: USD 573 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to cover all aspects of developmental school counseling across the K-12 spectrum. Before progressing to the final internship phase, students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination that includes written, oral, and applied components. Modules may include:

Counselor Education
School Psychology
Developmental Counseling Services
Ethical Services in Schools
Educational Research
Clinical Internship

Careers with School Counseling

Graduates from James Madison University are highly sought after by public and private school systems across the nation. While many alumni secure vital roles within Virginia's Shenandoah Valley and West Virginia, others find success in rural, suburban, and urban schools throughout the mid-Atlantic region. The programme prepares students for various professional paths, including:

Elementary School Counselor
Middle School Counselor
Secondary School Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor (with additional requirements)
Educational Consultant
Student Advocacy Specialist

The university encourages its alumni to remain active in the field through ongoing research, innovation, and professional service, ensuring they continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the students they serve.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

To obtain additional information about the program, we kindly suggest that you visit the programme website, where you can find further details and relevant resources.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-05-18 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

105

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

60 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Harrisonburg, United States

Disciplines

School Counselling View 507 other Masters in School Counselling in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

105

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions should be uploaded with your electronic application and may be used for departmental admission review purposes.

Personal statement: The personal statement should be at least 1,000 words describing yourself. Go beyond the grades, honors, and work record that you have already provided on the application form. Instead, share with us the personal qualities and life experiences that form your character. Tell us about the challenges you have faced, the dreams that you are pursuing, and the discoveries you have made. What would you contribute to our learning community? In what way have you felt called to become a counselor?

Interview with faculty and students

Resume

Three letters of recommendation

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

22710 USD / year

≈ 22710 USD / year
Out-of-State

22710 USD / year

≈ 22710 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

17190 USD / year

≈ 17190 USD / year

Living costs

Harrisonburg

United States

1050 - 1715 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for School Counseling.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Harrisonburg

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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