There are five school counseling master’s programs offered by public and private institutions in Minnesota.
Minnesota is home to a large statewide public university system with 37 institutions across 54 campuses. Four out of five of the school counseling master’s programs are housed at a Minnesota State school, such as St. Cloud State University or Minnesota State University at Moorhead. This is great news for students on a budget, as public universities generally have lower tuition. There are also hybrid options for those who may find it difficult to study on a campus. Keep reading to see which program is the right fit for you.
Minnesota School Counseling Programs Quick Facts
- Number of School Counseling Programs in Minnesota: 5
- CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Programs: 5
- Hybrid or Online School Counseling Programs in Minnesota: 2
- Tuition Cost Range: $31,784 – $53,160
- Average Cost of Tuition: $37,396
St. Cloud State University
- St. Cloud, MN
- 61 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Science
City: St. Cloud, MN
Modality: In-Person
Length: 61 credit hours
Tuition: $8,009 per semester, $32,036 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
St. Cloud State University offers a rigorous master’s program in school counseling. This program is competitive and necessitates a wait list. Candidates who have experience working with children and teenagers and/or experience working in a school setting are strongly favored in the admissions process.
Why We Like This Program:
- Classes are held during the evenings and weekends to accommodate working students.
- St. Cloud University is home to an on-campus clinical space for students to gain experience while recording themselves to monitor their progress.
- This program is CACREP-accredited.
Additional Considerations:
- Applicants must submit their GRE scores for consideration.
Online School Counseling Masters Programs in Minnesota
There are no fully online school counseling master’s programs in Minnesota. However, two programs feature hybrid learning options in which students split their coursework between on-campus and distance learning. This has become increasingly popular, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. The ease of taking classes from anywhere can mean less time and money spent on commuting. Here are the hybrid options available in Minnesota:
Minnesota State University at Moorhead
- Moorhead, MN
- 60 credits
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Science
City: Moorhead, MN
Modality: Hybrid
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $618.68 per credit hour, $37,121 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The school counseling master’s program offered by Minnesota State University’s Moorhead campus is known for its flexibility. Classes are held in the evenings and many feature online components. This program can also be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis.
Why We Like This Program:
- Graduates of the counseling programs at Minnesota State University at Moorhead have a 100% job placement rate.
- This program is CACREP-accredited.
- Students from all academic and professional backgrounds are welcome to apply.
Additional Considerations:
- This program is not open to international students.
Winona State University
- Winona, MN
- 60 credits
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Science
City: Winona, MN
Modality: Hybrid
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $529.74 per credit hour, $31,784 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The Counseling Department at Winona State University puts community service front and center. Many students complete their Foundations of Counseling coursework at local community agencies, including food banks and shelters. This program is CACREP-accredited with a strong focus on social justice.
Why We Like This Program:
- Classes are held in the evenings at both the Winona and Rochester campuses to accommodate working students.
- Classes can be completed either in-person, online, or in a hybrid modality.
- Students will be eligible to work as school counselors in both Minnesota and Wisconsin upon graduation.
Additional Considerations:
- This program only allows students to begin in the fall semester.
CACREP Accredited School Counseling Masters Programs in Minnesota
All of the five master of school counseling programs in Minnesota are CACREP-accredited.
“CACREP” stands for Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. This is a nationally recognized specialized accreditation for master’s and doctoral programs related to counseling. Attending a CACREP-accredited program can be a boost to your resume.
No GRE Required School Counseling Masters Programs in Minnesota
There are four institutions within the state of Minnesota that have removed the GRE as a requirement for admission into their Master of School Counseling programs.
If taking standardized tests isn’t your strong suit, fear not! There are plenty of schools that understand that test scores don’t tell the full story, especially for school counseling programs. In addition to the programs listed below, Winona State University and Minnesota State University at Moorhead also do not require applicants to submit their GRE scores.
Minnesota State University at Mankato
- Mankato, MN
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Science
City: Mankato, MN
Modality: In-Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $548 per credit hour, $32,880 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
This full-time program allows students to complete their master’s degree in just two years. Minnesota State University at Mankato also houses a “state-of-the-art counseling skills and training facility” for students to gain hands-on experience. Other research opportunities may be available as well.
Why We Like This Program:
- Mentoring from faculty is available to all students in this program.
- This program is CACREP-accredited.
Additional Considerations:
- The application deadline is January 15th, and students begin their coursework in the fall semester.
The University of Minnesota
- Minneapolis, MN
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Arts
City: Minneapolis, MN
Modality: In-Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $886 per credit hour, $53,160 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The University of Minnesota offers a full-time, CACREP-accredited school counseling master’s program. This program has small class sizes, allowing for individualized attention. Students may also choose to participate in a counselor research practicum sequence.
Why We Like This Program:
- The University of Minnesota offers many scholarships that school counseling students are eligible for.
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores.
Additional Considerations:
- At $886 per credit hour, the school counseling master’s program at the University of Minnesota has significantly higher tuition than its public counterparts.
Minnesota’s Most Affordable School Counseling Masters Programs
A career in school counseling is tremendously rewarding but often has relatively lower pay. For this reason, prospective school counseling students should carefully consider the cost of attendance when applying to graduate school. Fortunately, the majority of school counseling master’s degree programs in Minnesota are offered by state schools. The programs with the lowest tuition cost are at Winona State University, St. Cloud University, and Minnesota State University at Mankato.
School Counseling In Minnesota
Minnesota is a mid-sized state with a population of 5.793 million people. It borders Lake Superior, which is the largest of the Great Lakes, and Canada. There were approximately 821,260 students enrolled in Minnesota public schools as of 2022.
The American School Counseling Association (ASCA) recommends a student-to-school counselor ratio of 250:1. In the 2022-2023 school year, Minnesota’s student-to-school counselor ratio was 544:1. This is among the most severe in the nation. Only two states, Michigan and Arizona, reported higher student-to-school counselor ratios.
School Counselor Certification In Minnesota
There are multiple levels of school counselor certification/licensure in Minnesota. Tier 2 is the first level (there is no Tier I for school counselor certification), which is valid for two years. This can be obtained while a candidate is working towards the completion of a master’s degree program. A Tier 3 license can be obtained when the candidate has completed a CACREP-accredited school counseling program and is valid for five years. A Tier 4 license can be obtained when a candidate has met all Tier 3 requirements and has three or more years of experience working as a school counselor. Tier 4 licenses are valid for five years.
There are no exams required for licensure as a school counselor in Minnesota. There is also no requirement for previous teaching experience. For more information, visit the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board’s website.
FAQs
How much does a school counselor in Minnesota make?
On average, school counselors in Minnesota make between $58,160 and $59,165.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Minnesota?
Typically, it takes between two and three years to become a school counselor in Minnesota. This is because earning a master’s degree in school counseling (including completing the necessary fieldwork) usually takes this amount of time. Unlike some other states, Minnesota does not require school counselors to have any prior teaching experience.
What is the best school counseling program in Minnesota?
It’s difficult to determine the “best” school counseling program in Minnesota. All programs are CACREP-accredited, and most are offered by public universities, making them relatively more affordable. St. Cloud State University and Minnesota State University at Mankato both offer counseling centers on campus for students to gain more experience. For those seeking a hybrid program, Winona State University and Minnesota State University at Moorhead offer the best options.
