Alert: The Plaza Building will remain closed through Jan. 20, 2025.
The Plaza Building will remain closed through Jan. 20, 2025. The Health Center is operating in a modified capacity. Call 303-615-9999 for appointment information during operating hours. Reminder, the Health Center is closed for the winter break Dec. 24 - Jan. 1.
Learn More
Master of Arts in Counseling, School Counseling
School of Education & Human Development
Overview
Degree: MA License
Classroom Type: On campus
Prepares advocates for adolescents and children to become competent school counselors who value inclusion and diversity in their communities. Graduates help meet the high demand for qualified counseling professionals as the commitment to addressing mental health in schools intensifies and counselors take on expanded roles.
Application deadlines
Fall: January 15
Spring: September 15
Program Details
Interest Categories: Education & Counseling
Campus: CU Denver
Accreditation: CACREP
What you'll learn
Is it your desire to be an advocate for adolescents and children from all backgrounds in this diverse and ever changing society? Is it your goal to support students’ personal, social, educational and vocational goals? The need for qualified school counselors is in high demand as the commitment to mental health in schools intensifies and school counselors take on expanded roles. CU Denver’s MA in Counseling with a concentration in school counseling prepares competent school counselors who value inclusion and diversity in their communities.
Launch your counseling career with real-world experience unmatched by any other mental health graduate program in Colorado. Our students obtain mentored counseling experience in our Student and Community Counseling Center with live supervision and constant feedback from licensed clinicians. Our graduates are recognized for being strongly prepared and committed to providing culturally informed, equity focused services.
This specialized master’s program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Program (CACREP).
Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development
You can trust CU Denver to provide an education that will prepare you for excellence in your career as a counselor. The university and school are recognized for preparing leaders of distinction who value educational excellence and social justice. Additionally, CU Denver’s School of Education and Human Development is counted among U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top schools in the country.
Courses
Most of the courses for this 63-credit program take place Monday - Thursday in three hour blocks beginning at either 3:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. However, core and prerequisite classes are offered starting at 3:30 p.m. on a consistent basis. Some classes meet on weekends (Friday evening or Saturday during the day) or in a hybrid format. Very few classes will be available fully online.
Course syllabi are available for review by prospective students on request. Email SEHDacademicservices@ucdenver.edu with the course number and prefix.
Diversity Statement
We encourage applications from persons from a variety of sociopolitical contexts, such as racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, veterans, sexual and gender minorities, and individuals from a variety of religious and spiritual backgrounds. The couple/family faculty provides open and supportive learning environments where students are invited to engage in personal and reflective processes about their own and others’ experiences, beliefs and values. We seek to train counselors/therapists who can approach clients with integrity, respect and sensitivity for differences in beliefs, values, and lifestyles.
Sample Courses
- COUN 5425 - Developing & Implementing a School Counseling Program: ASCA 3 credits
- COUN 5815 - Introduction to School Counseling 3 credits
- COUN 6140 - Counseling/Therapy with Children, Adolescents, and their Parents 3 credits
- COUN 6230 - Developmental Counseling in Schools: Prevention & Intervention 3 credits
Recommended Completion Time:3 to 4 years
Required Credits for Completion:63
Admission Requirements
Due to the competitive nature of this program, faculty are only able to review complete applications; this includes letters of recommendation, transcripts and all other required elements of the application. In order to secure your application as “complete” in sufficient time for faculty review and consideration we highly recommend submitting your application at least one to two months prior to the deadline to ensure we have ample time to work with you on your application should items be missing. To avoid your application remaining incomplete at the time of the posted deadline please be sure to complete the steps below as early as possible.
Application Dates
Fall Semester
Open: November 1
Deadline: January 15
Spring Semester
Open: July 1
Deadline: September 15
Application Requirements
- 3 recommendation letters
- Official Transcripts from all institutions attended
- Resume/CV
- Written Statement
- $50.00 application fee
Admissions Interview: Upon successful completion and review of your file, selected applicants are invited to attend a REQUIRED half-day group interview on the Denver campus. The interview for the Fall 2025 application cycle is scheduled for Friday, February 28, 2025. Participation in the interview is mandatory and you will not be accepted into the program without attending. We do not conduct alternate or individual interviews for admission to our program. Applicants are responsible for their own travel arrangements. Final selection of the applicants will be based on their performance in the interview.
- International Applicants only: Proof of English Language Proficiency (International applicants should review the following information regarding English language proficiency)
For more information, email education@ucdenver.edu or call 303.315.6300.