Program Overview

Introduction to the M.A. School Counseling Program

The M.A. School Counseling program at Gonzaga University is designed to prepare socially responsible and ethical leaders who serve their communities with care, competence, and commitment. This two-year CACREP-accredited master's program builds leaders through active community engagement, collaboration, and connection.

Program Outline

The program consists of 60 credits, completed over two years. The first year includes 40 credits, with courses such as:

• EDCE 559: Ethics and Law in School Counseling
• EDCE 585: Introduction to School Counseling
• EDCE 639: Counseling Theories
• EDCE 695: Counseling Pre-Practicum
• EDCE 698: Research and Statistics

The second year includes 20 credits, with courses such as:

• EDCE 581: Chemical Dependency in Counseling
• EDCE 587: Child and Adolescent Counseling
• EDCE 610: Classroom Management in the Schools
• EDCE 688: Advanced Theories and Professional Seminar I
• EDCE 697: Counseling Internship (School)
• EDCE 699: Comprehensive Oral Examination

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of the program leads to Washington State Educational Staff Associate (ESA) Residency Certification for employment in K-12 schools, as well as future eligibility for licensure as a clinical mental health counselor. Alumni of the program hold various positions in mental health and student support services, including:

• Marriage and Family Counselor
• Counselor Educators
• Art Therapist
• Clinical Mental Health Counselors

Internship and Practicum Experiences

Students complete both a practicum and internship in a K-12 school setting, with placements secured by the School Counseling Program Director. The internship involves 600 hours of experience, including 240 hours of direct service, completed over two semesters.

Engaged Learning

The program embodies Gonzaga University's mission to educate the whole person and inspire graduates to live lives of leadership and service for the common good. Students engage in real-world contexts, applying developing skills through partnerships with local schools, nonprofits, and community agencies.

Cohort Model

The program uses a cohort model, where students move through the program with a close-knit group of approximately 10 students. This fosters a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and supportive learning environment, promoting deeper engagement in coursework, increased accountability, and opportunities for mentorship and leadership.

Tuition and Financing

Tuition is $850 per credit, with a total of 60 credits required for the program. Financing options include graduate assistantships, scholarships, and federal loans. Students may also be eligible for loan forgiveness programs.

Accreditation

The Department of Counselor Education at Gonzaga University is accredited by CACREP (The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs). This accreditation provides assurance that the program has been thoroughly evaluated to meet the standards necessary to produce competent counselors.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students in the program develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to become effective school counselors. They learn to:

• Understand, identify, and develop strategies for working with clients at different developmental stages
• Understand career development dynamics and incorporate this knowledge into work with clients
• Understand the impact of culture on the counseling process and act within the expectations of Multicultural and Social Justice Competencies
• Adopt the professional identity of a counselor and practice as such, following the ACA Code of Ethics and state legal codes
• Facilitate various types of groups using appropriate and relevant group facilitation skills
• Intentionally, creatively, and effectively use essential counseling and interviewing skills
• Incorporate theoretical understanding into work with clients
• Understand the assessment process in counseling and intentionally and effectively utilize appropriate assessments

Faculty and Staff

The program is taught by faculty who have a PhD or Master's degree with extensive experience in the field. Most faculty continue to practice as licensed clinical professional counselors, providing students with real-world examples and applications of counseling theories and practices.