Apply

School Counselors perform a vital role in facilitating change - for students, teachers, parents, and schools as a whole. This school counseling program emphasizes helping skills that are applied in the context of a comprehensive counseling and guidance program. School counseling students become multiculturally competent and skilled social change agents, achievement advocates, and educational leaders who address issues of equity to help youth reach their educational, career and personal/social potential.

Designed for working professionals

Designed to meet the needs of working people, an average program of study is usually completed in three years. Courses are offered in the afternoons and evenings and meet weekly.

Program Benefits

CACREP accreditation

• Assurance of quality
• Degree portability
• Internship hours count toward licensure
• Employer recognition
• Find out more about our CACREP accreditation

Certification and Licensure Options

• Residency level Educational Staff Associate (ESA) Certification in K-12 settings, public and private
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor certification eligible
• Washington State Substance Use Disorder certification eligible

Exceptional skills training

• Unique clinical skills sequence
• One-year practicum/internship experience in a community mental health agency or K-12 school
• Develop your skills by working with classmates; volunteer clients; and finally actual clients
• Our interns and graduates are consistently commended for their skill level upon starting internship/work

Small classes and individual attention

• Maximum class sizes are 15 for lecture-style and 12 for skills/fieldwork
• Classes taught by faculty who are current practitioners and leaders in the field
• Every student assigned an advisor

Social justice focus

• Social justice and advocacy themes are integrated throughout coursework
• Faculty conduct research on social justice, advocacy, and service learning, and hold leadership positions in social justice organizations
• Active Seattle University Counselors for Social Justice and Chi Sigma Iota student organizations

Cohorts

The Counseling Program operates under a cohort model that begins in the fall term. Admitted students may choose to take some foundational courses during the summer. We no longer admit students for the winter or spring terms. 

We are looking for applicants who:

• Show an ability to succeed academically
• Have 2-3 years work experience (paid or volunteer) in human services
• Have strong recommendations from people who know their work/people skills
• Are a good fit with our mission
• Will be a good addition to the classroom and a credit to Seattle U as interns and graduates