School Counseling

School Counseling

Master's Degree Information (M.Ed. and M.A.)

Curriculum and Matriculation

Loyola University Maryland’s School Counseling program is part of the School of Education. Successful students complete a 60-credit hour program that includes a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship experience in schools. Additionally, students maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0, pass the CPCE exam, and display the professional dispositions of a pre-service counselor. Learn about the curriculum and matriculation requirements.

Admission requirements and application deadlines

To be considered for admission into the school counseling master’s programs, applicants need to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university by the date of entry. Undergraduate majors do not need to be in psychology (or related fields) to be considered as a prerequisite for admission. At a minimum, applicants must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and hold a B or better in their last two years of undergraduate study.

The following documents must be submitted to be considered for admission.

  • Submit an application for admission and pay the application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Two professional recommendations submitted by colleagues, supervisors or university professors who can attest to the applicant’s potential to be a school counselor
  • Submit a personal essay that articulates how your professional goals align to the goals of the school counseling program
  • Submit a resume

The school counseling program admits students in the summer and spring semesters. We admit a cohort of 30 (summer) and 20 (spring). Some years our cohort numbers could be less to maintain our student to faculty ratios as required by CACREP. Invited applicants must attend an admission interview.

All documents for admission must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission. For more information, including application deadlines, and to submit your application, please visit the admission requirements/apply page.

Transfer Credit

Upon acceptance, new students may transfer up to 12 credits from a CACREP program, or equivalent, towards our 60-credit hour master’s program. 

To be considered to transfer into our program, course credits must be earned from a CACREP approved, or its equivalent, graduate program within the last five years. Your final grade in the course must be a B or better and courses must directly relate to those required for Loyola's school counseling program.

New students work with their academic advisors. Faculty advisors will determine if credits can be transferred into the program. Students must submit a syllabus and transcript for review to their academic advisor upon acceptance into the program. Academic advisors approve all transfer credits.

Clinical classes such as techniques, group counseling, practicum, and internship cannot be transferred into our program.

Tuition, financial aid, graduate assistantships, and scholarships

Funding your graduate education options:

Master's in School Counseling Tuition
Graduate Financial Aid 
Types of Aid 
Graduate Assistantships 
External Scholarships

The School Counseling program offers Merit Scholarships and Ignatius Grant Awards. Number of scholarships and awards vary each academic semester.

Merit Scholarships are awarded to individuals who have an exceptional academic record as evidenced by their undergraduate grade point average, strong interpersonal skills as evidenced in the campus interview and recommendations along with strong program faculty nominations.

Ignatius Grant Awards are offered to individuals with a strong commitment to social justice and diversity as evidenced during the campus interview, personal essay and diversity statement. Awardee must also have strong program faculty nominations.

For more information refer to the scholarships and awards page.

Program Faculty

Jennifer Watkinson  Jennifer Watkinson, Ph.D.
Director, Associate Professor
Qi Shi  Qi Shi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Nouf- Bazaz  Nouf Bazaz
Clinical Assistant Professor
 gayle-cicero Gayle Cicero, Ed.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
 Kharod France Kharod France, Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
 joseph-stewart-sicking Joseph Stewart-Sicking, Ed.D.
Professor 
 Cheryl Moore-Thomas Cheryl Moore-Thomas, Ph.D., NCC
Professor
Acting Provost and Vice President for 
Academic Affairs
       

See all School of Education Faculty

Program mission, objectives, and dispositions

Program outcomes and annual report

Loyola’s School Counseling faculty are constantly evaluating and improving their teaching practice. The annual report provides representative data about our program, faculty, and student demographics and outcomes.

Program Outcomes and Demographics

  • Number of program graduates from the past year:46
  • Completion rate: 87% (average of full-time and part-time students)
  • Licensure or certification examination pass rate: 100%
  • Job Placement Rate: 96%

New Student Orientation

Newly admitted students attend a new student orientation to acquaint themselves with the school counseling program’s student handbook, policies, and practices. At the orientation, students have an opportunity to pre-register for first semester courses, obtain their student identification cards, and set up email accounts. New students will also learn about their ethical and professional obligations, personal growth expectations, and eligibility for certification as a school counselor.

New student orientation takes place prior to the start of a student's first academic semester. Specific dates of the orientation are identified on the acceptance letter.

Graduate student and professional organizations

Loyola School Counseling students are encouraged to join professional memberships and student organizations. Some professional or student organizations in which students are members are:

  • Graduate Student Organization (GSO) - a student led organization that serves the interests of graduate students within Loyola. The mission of the GSO is to establish a responsible and representative organization that will support and foster the needs and interests of the graduate student body. The GSO brings together graduate students for social events, community service projects, and networking opportunities. Housing support is provided. 
  • Chi Sigma Iota - the international honor society of professional counseling. At Loyola, this student led organization is facilitated by a Loyola School Counseling professor and provides graduates with professional development opportunities and community service initiatives. Graduates are invited to join the professional organization by Loyola program faculty. 
  • Maryland School Counseling Association (MSCA) - a state professional organization that represents the interests of Maryland professional school counselors. Student memberships are available. 
  • American School Counseling Association (ASCA) - a national professional organization that represents the interests of professional school counselors. Student memberships are available. 
  • American Counselor Association (ACA) - a national professional organization that represents the interests of all counselors. Student memberships are available. 

Life in Baltimore

Our students not only benefit from a comprehensive approach to school counselor development, but also from a well-rounded, highly engaging learning environment that offers students an opportunity to be involved on campus and in our surrounding Baltimore communities.

Program Options

Loyola's School Counseling programs are designed to meet all stages of your professional life—whether you are entering the profession and learning the basics, or if you are an established counselor who wants to continue your education and advance your knowledge and skillset. Our students are prepared to effectively serve, lead, and be advocates for social justice and mental health in pre K-12 settings.

To meet the youth mental health crisis, we offer counselors the opportunity to not only become eligible for certification of a school counselor, but also meet requirements for licensure in the state of Maryland. We invite you to explore our M.A. or M.Ed. program, or one of three post-master's options.