There are five school counseling graduate programs in Arizona; two are offered on campus and three are fully online. These programs are offered by private and public institutions. They provide the opportunity to take courses which include engaging in research and practicums in the local community. Two of these programs are CACREP-accredited. All provide coursework and field experiences to become a certified school counselor in Arizona. Keep reading to learn more about the programs available and to find the best fit for you.
Arizona School Counseling Programs Quick Facts
- Number of School Counseling Programs in Arizona: 5
- CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Programs: 2
- Hybrid or Online School Counseling Programs in Arizona: 3
- Tuition Cost Range:$23,364-$36,000
- Average Cost of Tuition: $27,717
Arizona State University
- Tempe, AZ
- 60 credits
- Campus
Program:
Master’s in Counseling
City: Tempe, AZ
Modality: On campus
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $12,939 annual tuition, $25,878 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The master’s in counseling prepares students to work in K-12 settings, addressing academic and social emotional concerns.
Why We Like This Program:
- Graduates of this program will be qualified to work as both licensed mental health counselors and school counselors.
- The GRE is not required.
Additional Considerations:
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
- There is one application deadline for this program (January 1st) which has a fall semester start.
Northern Arizona University
- Flagstaff, AZ
- 60 credits
- Campus
Program:
Master of Education, School Counseling
City: Flagstaff, AZ
Modality: On campus
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $12,320 tuition per year, $24,640 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The M.Ed in school counseling students take courses and complete fieldwork, internship, and practicum experiences to provide counseling in human growth and development, career services, and complete research and program evaluation and professional development.
Why We Like This Program:
- This program is CACREP-accredited.
- This program has a 100% completion rate, a 100% exam/licensure pass rate, and a 95% job placement rate.
- Students have the option to take several electives in this plan of study.
Additional Considerations:
- The GRE is required if an applicant’s undergraduate GPA is under 3.0.
Online School Counseling Masters Programs In Arizona
There are three fully online school counseling masters programs in Arizona. An online program provides flexibility and allows some students to complete counseling coursework while completing the internship in their local community.
Grand Canyon University
- Phoenix, AZ
- 60 credits
- Online
Program:
Master of Education in School Counseling
City: Phoenix, AZ
Modality: Online
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $615 per credit hour, $36,000 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The M.Ed in school counseling degree provides students with coursework to fulfill initial licensure. Classes are delivered in 8-week courses.
Why We Like This Program:
- This program prioritizes flexibility for its students.
- The GRE is not required.
Additional Considerations:
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
- This program claims that graduates will be qualified to work as career counselors but only requires one career counseling course and gives zero information about professional licensure for this job.
Ottawa University
- Surprise, AZ
- 36-48 credits
- Online
Program:
Masters of Arts in Education-School Counseling
City: Surprise, AZ
Modality: Online
Length: 36-48 credit hours
Tuition: $649 per hour, $23,364 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The M.A.Ed in school counseling helps students gain the skills necessary to provide counseling and guidance in the school setting. Students are trained to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate school counseling programs that are culturally sensitive.
Why We Like This Program:
- Classes are provided in 8-week terms to accelerate program completion.
- Includes a course on grief and “school counseling in a changing environment”
- There is a version of this program that meets the requirements to be a school counselor in Kansas.
Additional Considerations:
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
- It’s unclear exactly how many credits are required and may depend on whether the program is based on Arizona or Kansas standards.
Prescott College
- Prescott, AZ
- 36 credits
- Online
Program:
Masters of Education in School Counseling
City: Prescott, AZ
Modality: Online
Length: 36 credit hours
Tuition: $14,352 per year, $28,704 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The M.Ed. in school counseling is provided through the College of Education and is designed to complement teaching. Students learn a balance of theory and practice, and engage in relevant field experience. Social justice is at the heart of the program and coursework provides students to serve diverse communities.
Why We Like This Program:
- This program is designed to be completed in two years without taking on more than eight credit hours per semester.
- The GRE is not required.
Additional Considerations:
- Prescott College cannot accept most students from outside of Arizona into its school counseling program.
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
CACREP-accredited School Counseling Masters Programs In Arizona
Currently, there are two CACREP-accredited school counseling masters program in Arizona:
- Northern Arizona University, and
- University of Arizona.
No GRE Required School Counseling Masters Programs In Arizona
None of the school counseling programs in Arizona require applicants to submit their GRE scores. However, Northern Arizona University does require the GRE if an applicant’s GPA is less than 3.0. Each program has their own admissions requirements, so be sure to check the requirements well in advance of application deadlines.
Arizona’ Most Affordable School Counseling Masters Programs
In Arizona, Ottawa University’s online program is provided at $649 per credit hour with a minimum requirement of 36 credit hours, providing an affordable option. The full cost of a graduate degree will depend on the university tuition, total credit hours completed, and other factors, like living expenses and books.
Accelerated School Counseling Masters Programs In Arizona
There are two accelerated options in Arizona:
- Ottawa College, and
- Prescott College.
Both programs provide an accelerated pace so that students can complete their coursework in a shorter time compared to traditional programs.
School Counseling in Arizona
Arizona has a population of more than 7,500,000 people, and its population is steadily growing. The state has more than 1.13 million students in 200 public school districts and more than 400 charter schools.
The average salary for a school counselor in Arizona is $53,790 per year. This salary depends on the city; the average salary in Phoenix is $54,260, in Mesa it is $59,197, and in Sierra Vista it is $128,024. Arizona is a mid-sized state with multiple large and mid-sized cities, so school counselors can work in urban, suburban, or rural settings.
School Counselor Certification in Arizona
The Arizona Department of Education oversees school counselor, or K-12 Guidance Counselor endorsements. To become a school counselor in Arizona, practitioners must:
- Earn a master’s degree in school counseling,
- Complete one experience requirement:
- Two years of full-time verified experience as a school guidance counselor (this option is for people moving from out-of-state),
- Complete three years of verified teaching experience, or
- Complete a supervised counseling practicum while enrolled in a school counseling graduate program.
- Submit your transcripts to the Arizona Department of Education,
- Complete fingerprint clearance,
- Complete the application for Professional: Non-Teaching Certificate.
FAQs
How much does a school counselor make in Arizona?
The average salary for a school counselor in Arizona is $53,790 per year. This salary depends on the city; the average salary in Phoenix is $54,260, in Mesa it is $59,197, and in Sierra Vista it is $128,024. Arizona is a mid-sized state with multiple large and mid-sized cities, so school counselors can work in urban, suburban, or rural settings.
How does someone become a school counselor in Arizona?
To become a school counselor in Arizona, one must complete an approved master’s program and obtain school counseling certification through the Arizona Department of Education.Those who hold a valid certificate from another state can also transfer their certificate to Arizona through their reciprocity policy.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Arizona?
Most masters programs in school counseling require 60 credit hours, which typically takes two to three years to complete.
