There are nine school counseling programs in Michigan at public and private universities. Five school counseling programs are on campus (Andrews University, Oakland University, University of Detroit, Mercy, Wayne State University, and Western Michigan University). The programs at Central Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University are hybrid. And, the programs at Grand Valley State University and Spring Arbor University are fully online. Eight of the programs are CACREP-certified.
Aspiring school counselors have a variety of high-quality options in Michigan. Nine campuses offer programs, and eight are CACREP-certified. All programs provide the coursework and field experiences that prepare students to be successful school counselors in Michigan.
Michigan Fun Facts:
- School counselors are in high demand in Michigan as the state works to reduce the ratio of students-to-counselors.
- Nine universities, six public and three private, offer school counseling programs in Michigan.
- Eight of the master’s in counseling programs are CACREP-certified.
- In schools, the role of the school counselor can be fulfilled by professionals with a school counselor license, a teaching certificate with school counselor endorsement, a primary or temporary school counselor license.
- School counselor licenses are renewable every five-years.
School Counselor Master’s Programs in Michigan
There are a variety of master’s programs in Michigan. Nine universities offer master’s in school counseling; three private universities and six public universities. Students also have a range of delivery options; four programs are on campus, three are hybrid, and two are entirely online. This range of options means that students can choose from programs that meet their needs and interests, from completing a degree while working full-time, to working closely with faculty in on campus research clinics and counseling centers. We’ve provided information about the options in Michigan, and what makes each program unique.
Andrews University
- Berrien Springs, MI
- Campus
Program:
Master of Arts in School Counseling
Why We Picked this Program: The M.A. in school counseling prepares counselors for the K-12 setting. The program uses the American School Counselor Association national model for school counseling. Students are trained in the areas of children and adolescents, development, behavior and emotional development, small group counseling, and guidance. Students complete coursework and field work, including a practicum at the Andrews Community Counseling Center. Students are also trained in research in collaboration with faculty mentors. We chose this program for its comprehensive approach to school counseling, and the work that students do on campus in practical experience and research.
Key Highlights:
- Andrews University serves a diverse student body, with 56% of students from minority backgrounds.
- Students complete practicum at the university counseling center, Andrews Community Counseling Center.
- Students work with faculty to complete three research assignments which prepares students to engage in research within the field.
Considerations: Students start their master’s coursework after completing required prerequisites, which may impact the length of the program.
Program Data Snapshot:
- Accreditation: CACREP, the Accrediting Association of 7th Day Adventists Schools
- Online availability: The program is entirely on campus
- Program Length: Not listed
- Tuition: $1,371 per credit hour
- Acceptance rate: 78% university-wide
- Student population: Andrews University serves 1,653 graduate students with 56% minority enrollment.
- Institution type: Private, Rural
Central Michigan University
- Mount Pleasant, MI
- 60 hours
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Arts in Counseling
Why We Picked this Program: The M. A. in counseling provides practitioners with the skills and training required to be a school counselor in a K-12 setting. School counseling is one concentration option. Students take courses in flexible formats that provide a balance for working students. Courses are taken both online and in-person, and students have a full or part-time option. We chose this program for its focus on hands-on, practical learning opportunities for students.
Key Highlights:
- Students can train at the university’s Center for Community Counseling and Development, which is run by MA in counseling students and offers in-person and remote counseling.
- Students take courses in a cohort model, and applications are accepted until the cohort fills.
- Online courses allow students to continue to work while completing their master’s coursework.
- Students can complete the program as a full-time or part-time student.
Program Data Snapshot:
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Online availability: The on campus program is taught using a hybrid format, and students can take courses online
- Program Length: 60 credit hours
- Tuition: $793 per credit hour (in-state)
- Acceptance rate: 91% university-wide
- Student population: CMU serves 4,344 graduate students with 19% minority enrollment
- Institution type: Public, rural
Eastern Michigan University
- Ypsilanti, MI
- 60 hours
- Campus + Hybrid
Program:
Master of Arts in School Counseling
Why We Picked this Program: The M.A. in school counseling provides instruction and field experiences to prepare students to be counselors in K-12 settings. In addition to coursework, students complete 600 supervised internship hours. Courses are provided on campus and in a hybrid format, providing additional flexibility for students. We chose this program because of its clear, comprehensive guidelines and progression to completing the school counseling requirements.
Key Highlights:
- The program can be completed by candidates who do and do not have a MI teaching certificate.
- Students can take classes either online or on campus through the hybrid model.
- Students gain extensive practical experience in K-12 settings.
Considerations: Admission to the program is on a rolling basis, and continues until the program is full. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.75 in bachelor’s coursework, 3.3 in previous advanced degree coursework, and can submit GRE scores as evidence of academic aptitude.
Program Data Snapshot:
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Online availability: Courses are available in a hybrid format
- Program Length: 60 credit hours
- Tuition: $986 per credit hour (in-state)
- Acceptance rate: 81% university-wie
- Student population: EMU serves 2,223 graduate students with 34% minority enrollment
- Institution type: Public
Grand Valley State University
- Grand Rapids, MI
- 36-42 hours
- Online + Campus
Program:
Master’s in Education in School Counseling
Why We Picked this Program: The M.Ed in school counseling is guided by the American School Counselor Association model. Classes are provided evenings, weekends, and summers using a hybrid/online format. Students take coursework in anti-racist practices, college and career readiness, social/emotional development, and more. Students also complete field experiences designed to apply best practices in school counseling. We chose this program because of the flexibility in coursework and reputation for producing high-quality school counselors for a reasonable fee.
Key Highlights:
- A “best bang for your buck” according to Washington Monthly.
- 94% of GVSU students are employed after graduation.
- Applies the American School Counselor Association model.
Considerations: Applicants must demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.0 on bachelor’s coursework.
Program Data Snapshot:
- Accreditation: None listed
- Online availability: Courses are offered on campus, and can be taken fully online for students who live more than 60 miles from campus
- Program Length: 36-42 credit hours
- Tuition: $820 per credit hour
- Acceptance rate: 95% university-wide
- Student population: Grand Valley State serves 3,026 graduate students with 21% minority enrollment
- Institution type: Public
Oakland University
- Rochester, MI
- 60 hours
- Campus
Program:
Master of Arts in School Counseling
Why We Picked this Program: The M.A. in school counseling prepares students to work in K-12 schools. Students take coursework and work with a faculty advisor to review their plan of study and internship plan. Students can take courses full or part-time. We picked this program because of its commitment to developing both interpersonal skills and counseling aptitudes.
Key Highlights:
- The program has been CACREP accredited since 1994.
- Students work with an advisor to complete a plan of study.
- Students who have a valid teaching certificate and complete the program are recommended for a counselor endorsement for K-9, 7-12, or K-12 depending on their course completion.
Considerations: Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA on undergraduate coursework and submit two essays with their application.
Program Data Snapshot:
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Online availability: Courses are provided on campus
- Program Length: 60 credit hours
- Tuition: $915 per credit hour (in-state)
- Acceptance rate: 88% university-wide
- Student population: Oakland University serves 3,203 graduate students with 25% minority enrollment
- Institution type: Public, suburban
Spring Arbor University
- Spring Arbor, MI
- 61-62 hours
- Online
Program:
Master of Arts in School Counseling
Why We Picked this Program: The M.A. in school counseling provides skills that students need to be K-12 school counselors through a program that has a Christian perspective. Students take courses and engage in clinical experiences in a holistic Christian atmosphere. Students are prepared to work in faith-based and secular settings. We chose this program because it supports students who want to learn in a faith-based atmosphere.
Key Highlights:
- Spring Arbor is a Christian university and coursework has a Christian perspective.
- The program prepares counselors who want to work in faith-based or secular settings.
- The 3-year completion rate for the school counseling program is 82%.
Program Data Snapshot:
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Online availability: The program is entirely online
- Program Length: 61-62 credit hours
- Tuition: $662 per credit hour
- Acceptance rate: 37% university-wide
- Student population: Spring Arbor University serves 1,299 graduate students with 17% minority enrollment
- Institution type: Private, Rural
University of Detroit, Mercy
- Detroit, MI
- 60 hours
- Campus
Program:
Master of Arts in School Counseling
Why We Picked this Program: The M.A. in school counseling prepares students through experiential learning where they can learn and apply evidence-based techniques in the K-12 setting. Students learn theory, assessment, counseling skills, program development, interventions, and additional strategies. Students complete practicum hours in the college’s counseling clinic. We chose this program because of its high job placement and test completion rates, and for its reputation as one of the first counseling programs in Michigan and the U.S.
Key Highlights:
- Within 30 days of graduation, 100% of counseling students are employed.
- 100% of candidates pass the certification exam.
- Master’s students have regular opportunities to publish articles in peer-reviewed journals.
- Enrollment is capped at 56 students.
Considerations: HERE
Program Data Snapshot:
- Program Length: 60 credit hours
- Tuition: $992 per credit hour
- Acceptance rate: 80% university-wide
- Student population: The University of Detroit-Mercy serves 2,176 graduate students with 29% minority enrollment
- Institution type: Private, Urban
Wayne State University
- Detroit, MI
- 62 hours
- Campus
Program:
Master of Arts in Counseling, concentration in School Counseling
Why We Picked this Program: The M.A. in counseling incorporates a developmental approach to providing school counseling services in diverse school settings. Students learn the fundamentals of school counseling theory and practice and apply them in clinical internships. We chose this program because of its diverse student body and course program that is reciprocal in other states.
Key Highlights:
- The student population at Wayne State University is diverse, with 43% of students from minority backgrounds.
- The University has determined that the curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in other states. Students should check to ensure reciprocity.
Program Data Snapshot:
- Accreditation: CACREP
- Online availability: courses are provided on campus
- Program Length: 62 credit hours
- Tuition: $796.84 per credit hour (in-state)
- Acceptance rate: 82% university-wide
- Student population: Wayne State University serves 7,436 graduate students with 43% minority enrollment
- Institution type: Public, Urban
Western Michigan University
- Kalamazoo, MI
- 48 hours
- Campus + Hybrid
Program:
Master of Arts in School Counseling
Why We Picked this Program: The M.A. in school counseling supports practitioners who want to work in K-12 school settings. The majority of classes are offered in-person in Kalamazoo, a few courses are hybrid or online. The university has on-site clinics in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids for students to complete their internships. We chose this program because of the flexibility of coursework on campus or online, and the on-campus clinic opportunities.
Key Highlights:
- Students can complete internships at the on-site Center for Counseling and Psychological Services clinics in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids or in local schools.
- WMU offers master’s and doctoral programs in counseling.
- The university seeks to recruit and train counselors from diverse backgrounds.
Program Data Snapshot:
- Accreditation:
- Online availability: Most courses are offered on campus, some are online or at the Grand Rapids campus
- Program Length: 48 credit hours
- Tuition: $798.19 per credit hour (in-state)
- Acceptance rate: 85% university-wide
- Student population: WMU serves 3,685 graduate students with 24% minority enrollment
- Institution type: Public, Urban
Licensure Requirements in Michigan
The Department of Education oversees school counselor licensures in Michigan. The role of a school counselor can be fulfilled by professionals who have any of the following credentials:
- School counselor license (SCL)
- Michigan teaching certificate with school counselor endorsement (NT)
- Preliminary school counselor license (PSCL)
- Temporary school counselor license (TSCL)
Of these, the school counselor license and teaching certificate with school counselor endorsement are renewable. The credentials are valid for five-years with unlimited renewals.
The School Counselor License (SCL) is issued to candidates who have completed the following:
- 30 graduate level semester hours in an approved school counselor education program, resulting in a master’s degree,
- An internship of 600 clock hours minimum, that was supervised by a credentialed school counselor. 300 hours should be completed in a school setting.
- A passing score on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification School counselor exam.
School Counseling in Michigan
With an estimated population of more than 10 million, Michigan is a large Midwestern state. It’s the 10th largest state by population, with the metropolitan areas of Detroit and Grand Rapids. Across MIchigan, there are approximately 1.4 million students enrolled in 3,510 schools. School counselors serve students across the state, and are in high demand to support reducing the ratio of students-to-counselor.
More than 7,400 school counselors work across the state of Michigan and the occupation is growing. Between 2018 and 2028 the demand for school counselors is expected to grow 8.2%. There is a high need for school counselors in Michigan. In 2022-2023, the ratio of students-to-counselors was 598:1, far below the recommended ratio of 250:1.
Salary & Career Outlook in Michigan
According to Zip Recruiter, the average elementary school counselor salary in Michigan is $53,056. This salary ranges from district to district; for example, the salary in Lansing is $61,745 and in Detroit it is $60,262. School counselors in Michigan are hired in rural, suburban, and urban districts, and in public and private schools.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I get a school counseling license in Michigan?
In Michigan, the Department of Education oversees school counseling licensure. Professionals who hold the following credential can be a school counselor:
- School counselor license
- MI teaching certificate with school counselor endorsement
- Preliminary school counselor license
- Temporary school counselor license.
The school counselor license and MI teaching certificate with school counselor endorsement can be renewed.
A school counselor license can be issued to practitioners who have:
- Completed at least 30 graduate level semester hours in an approved school counselor education program, and have earned a master’s degree,
- Completed an internship of not less than 600 hours, under the supervision of a school counselor educator, and
- A passing score on the MI test for Teacher Certification School Counselor exam.
Does Michigan accept out-of-state school counseling degrees?
Applicants who have completed all requirements at an out-of-state school counselor education program can apply for the Temporary School Counselor License (TSCL), a temporary credential that allows counselors to work in schools until they earn the initial MI School Counselor License. The TSCL is valid for one year and is not renewable.
How much does a school counselor make in Michigan?
According to Zip Recruiter, the average elementary school counselor salary in Michigan is $53,056. This salary ranges from district to district; for example, the salary in Lansing is $61,745 and in Detroit it is $60,262.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Michigan?
Most masters programs in school counseling are completed within two or three years, though some programs may offer flexibility to finish sooner or to extend the duration of the program. For example, the Western Michigan University requires 48 credit hours to complete.
