Louisiana is a unique state with a rich history in the southeastern United States. It’s best known for the city of New Orleans, the capital of Mardi Gras. Louisiana is a cultural melting pot with deep African-American and French roots. This has created the Cajun and Creole cultures within Louisiana, whose heritages can be traced back several generations. In some cases, people in Louisiana may speak a distinct dialect of either Louisiana French or Louisiana Creole.
There is also a diverse array of wildlife and ecosystems. Nicknamed “the sportsman’s paradise,” Louisiana is home to many marshes, bayous, forests, and swamps. This makes for excellent hunting, fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities.
An important note; Louisiana is the only state in the nation to not use the term “county.” Instead, different areas of the state are split into “parishes.” For all intents and purposes, a parish in Louisiana is the equivalent of a county elsewhere.
Louisiana School Counseling Programs Quick Facts
- Number of School Counseling Programs in Louisiana: 9
- CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Programs: 9
- Hybrid or Online School Counseling Programs in Louisiana: 4
- Tuition Cost Range: $16,710 – $40,926
- Average Cost of Tuition: $29,456
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Lafayette, LA
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Science
City: Lafayette, LA
Modality: In-Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $30,665 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers a CACREP-accredited Master of Science in School Counseling. The program is designed to be completed “in a reasonable amount of time,” which is defined as 2.5 to 3 years. However, students can speak with an advisor if they wish to complete the program in under two years to arrange this.
Why We Like This Program:
- This plan of study allows for three elective courses to concentrate on specialized topics like play therapy.
- Students in this program are from many backgrounds, aged 22 to 65.
Additional Considerations:
- This program requires applicants to submit GRE scores.
Nicholls State University
- Thibodaux, LA
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Education
City: Thibodaux, LA
Modality: In-Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $20,734.80 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Nicholls State University offers a CACREP-accredited program at an affordable cost. This program has strong relationships with several neighboring school districts. There is a strong emphasis on cultural competency, pluralism, and diversity embedded into the mission of the program. Students can complete their coursework on a full-time or part-time schedule.
Why We Like This Program:
- This program boasts a 100% job placement rate for school counseling graduates for the past two years.
- 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio for small classes and individual attention.
Additional Considerations:
- Applicants are required to submit GRE scores but this requirement may be waived for those with “significant and meaningful experience and a strong academic background.”
Louisiana State University
- Baton Rouge, LA
- 60 credits
- In Person
Program:
Master of Education
City: Baton Rouge, LA
Modality: In Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $32,135 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The flagship public university in Louisiana, LSU offers a high-quality and competitive school counseling master’s degree program. This program is CACREP-accredited with nationally-recognized faculty and a small student-to-faculty ratio. There are also numerous scholarships available for graduate students pursuing a degree in the school of education.
Why We Like This Program:
- The school counseling program accepts rolling admissions but notes that applicants should submit all materials by January 31 to be considered for the fall semester of the same year.
- School counseling students can specialize in certain areas, such as grief and loss, or trauma and crisis.
Additional Considerations:
- Applicants are required to submit GRE scores for admission to this program. The official requirements are: “297 on the GRE (verbal plus quantitative). Applicants with lower scores may be considered, but the verbal score should be 153 or higher, and the total quantitative scale score must each be 144 or higher.”
Xavier University of Louisiana
- New Orleans, LA
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Arts
City: New Orleans, LA
Modality: In-Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $6,821 per semester, $40,926 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Xavier University of Louisiana has a rich history of training counselors starting in the 1950s. Nowadays, the counseling program has expanded into offering a school counseling track and has earned CACREP accreditation. While applicants must submit their GRE scores for admission, there is no minimum score they must meet.
Why We Like This Program:
- Xavier University is the only university in the United States that is recognized as both Historically Black and Catholic. This one-of-a-kind distinction makes for a diverse, multicultural student body.
- This plan of study allows for students to take two elective courses in specialized counseling topics.
Additional Considerations:
- Students may begin their coursework in the school counseling program in either the fall or spring semesters. The fall priority deadline is April 1st and the general deadline is May 1st. The spring priority deadline is October 1st and the general deadline is December 1st.
Online School Counseling Programs In Louisiana
There are two fully online school counseling master’s degree programs in Louisiana.
Online graduate programs have 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.
The University of Louisiana at Monroe
- Monroe, LA
- 60 credits
- Online
Program:
Master of Science
City: Monroe, LA
Modality: Online
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $550 per credit hour, $33,000 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The University of Louisiana at Monroe offers a highly flexible online master’s program in school counseling. With a majority of asynchronous online classes taught in a small cohort model, students can learn at their own pace. Two in-person residences will allow students to forge face-to-face connections with their professors and peers.
Why We Like This Program:
- Classes are small, with a maximum of 15 students in core classes and a maximum of 6 in internship classes.
- This program is CACREP-accredited.
- Students can choose from a broad selection of elective courses in this plan of study.
Additional Considerations:
- Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 will need to submit their GRE scores.
The University of the Holy Cross
- New Orleans, LA
- 60 credits
- Online
Program:
Master of Arts
City: New Orleans, LA
Modality: Online
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $620 per credit hour, $37,200 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
The University of the Holy Cross offers the only 100% online school counseling master’s degree in Louisiana. Students take two to three classes per week in this CACREP-accredited program. There is also the opportunity to present research at the annual Law & Ethics in Counseling Conference.
Why We Like This Program:
- The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
- This program has a 100% exam pass, job placement, and completion rate.
Additional Considerations:
- Applicants must first be admitted to the School of Graduate Studies before applying to the school counseling program.
CACREP-accredited School Counseling Programs In Louisiana
All nine of the school counseling master’s degree programs in Louisiana are CACREP-accredited because this is a requirement for certification.
“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 Programs In Louisiana
There are three school counseling master’s degree programs in Louisiana that do not require applicants to submit GRE scores for consideration.
Many of the school counseling master’s degree programs in Louisiana require applicants to submit GRE scores. But, ff taking standardized tests isn’t your strong suit, fear not! There are graduate schools that understand that test scores don’t tell the full story, especially for school counseling programs. Additionally, The University of the Holy Cross does not require applicants to submit their GRE scores.
The University of New Orleans
- New Orleans, LA
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Education
City: New Orleans, LA
Modality: In-Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $28,776 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
A private university in one of the nation’s most vibrant cities, The University of New Orleans offers a CACREP-accredited school counseling graduate program with evening classes. Classes are held on campus from 4:00pm to 7:00pm to accommodate working students. The program is designed to be completed in 2.5 to 3 years.
Why We Like This Program:
- The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
- There is an active chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society for counseling students, on campus.
Additional Considerations:
Applications for the fall semester are due by February 15th in order to be considered for scholarships and March 15th for the final deadline. Applications for the spring semester are due by October 15th.
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- Natchitoches, LA
- 60 credits
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Arts
City: Natchitoches, LA
Modality: Hybrid
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $475 per credit hour, $28,500 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Northwestern State University of Louisiana offers a CACREP-accredited school counseling program in which approximately half of its classes are held online and half are on campus. School counseling students in this program will also be qualified to work as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Louisiana.
Why We Like This Program:
- GRE scores are not required for admission to this program.
- This program has a 100% job placement rate for its graduates who have actively sought employment after graduation.
Additional Considerations:
- Applicants must be admitted to the Graduate School at Northwestern State University before being admitted to a Counseling program.
Louisiana’s Most Affordable School Counseling Program
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. Below is the most affordable school counseling masters program in Louisiana.
Southeastern Louisiana University
- Hammond, LA
- 60 credits
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Science
City: Hammond, LA
Modality: Hybrid
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $16,710 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
This CACREP-accredited program is designed for busy, working students and meant to be completed in three years. With an active chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society for counseling students, and a 100% job placement and exam pass rate, Southeastern Louisiana University has lots to offer aspiring school counselors.
Why We Like This Program:
- Students in the school counseling concentration also meet the requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Louisiana.
- Students can also seek National Certified School Counselor status by taking the exam after graduation.
Additional Considerations:
- While this program is technically hybrid, it should be noted that many classes are face-to-face.
Accelerated School Counseling Programs In Louisiana
While there are no programs in Louisiana that are explicitly designed as accelerated, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette allows students to complete the degree in under two years. This must be arranged with an advisor. The typical timeline to complete a school counseling master’s degree in Louisiana is two and a half to three years.
School Counseling In Louisiana
As of February 2024, there were 680,023 students enrolled in K-12 public schools (including public charter schools) in Louisiana. The state’s population has declined steadily since the pandemic in 2020. Approximately 73% of the students attending Louisiana public schools are categorized as low-income/economically disadvantaged. While unfortunate, this is not surprising as Louisiana’s poverty rate is significantly higher than average in the US.
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends a student-to-school counselor ratio of 250:1. While most states do not meet this standard, Louisiana is much higher with a student-to-school counselor ratio of 441:1. This puts it among only 14 states with a ratio over 400. Clearly, Louisiana is in need of dedicated school counselors to support its students.
School Counselor Certification In Louisiana
In order to be eligible for a school counseling certification in Louisiana, candidates must have completed a master’s program from a CACREP-accredited program. They must also complete a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship in a school setting. Candidates will need to pass both a criminal background check and the Professional School Counselor (ETS 5421) exam with a qualifying score of 156 or higher. Professional school counseling certificates are valid for five years. School counselors who hold a valid certificate from another state may be eligible for a Louisiana school counseling certificate through the reciprocity policy.
FAQs
How much does a school counselor make in Louisiana?
Sources vary on the average pay for a school counselor in Louisiana. The range appears to be between $48,000 and $60,000.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Louisiana?
Unlike some other states, there is no teaching experience required to be a school counselor in Louisiana. Most master’s programs take 2.5 to 3 years to complete.
What is the best school counseling program in Louisiana?
It’s difficult to determine an objective “best” program. For students looking for the most flexibility, The University of the Holy Cross’ online program is a good fit. If budget is the number one concern, students should consider the most affordable program which is offered by Southeastern Louisiana University. Additionally, several programs allow for students to also work as LPCs which opens up more career options. Ultimately, the “best” program depends on your priorities.
