There are seven school counseling master’s programs offered by public and private institutions in Mississippi.
Mississippi is a medium-sized southern state with a robust public education system. Its flagship institution, affectionately known as Ole Miss, is the largest university in Mississippi and offers a master’s program in school counseling. There are also other state schools to choose from, such as Delta State University. Mississippi is home to a handful of private colleges as well, such as Mississippi College. Many of these programs are CACREP-accredited, and some are offered in a hybrid or online modality. Keep reading to learn more about the school counseling programs in Mississippi.
Mississippi School Counseling Programs Quick Facts
- Number of School Counseling Programs in Mississippi: 7
- CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Programs: 5
- Hybrid or Online School Counseling Programs in Mississippi: 3
- Tuition Cost Range: $16,870 – $36,000
- Average Cost of Tuition: $24,811
William Carey University
- Biloxi, MS
- 60 credits
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Science
City: Biloxi, MS
Modality: Hybrid
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $485 per credit hour, $29,100 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
William Carey University is a private Christian university that offers a Master of Science in school counseling. The counselor education department hosts most of its classes online, with some taking place at the Tradition campus. Graduates of this program will become Nationally Certified School Counselors.
Why We Like This Program:
- Students can complete this program on either a full-time or part-time basis, provided that they finish all coursework within the six-year time limit.
- There is space allocated to nine elective courses in this program of study.
Additional Considerations:
- Applicants must submit their GRE scores for consideration.
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
Online School Counseling Masters Programs in Mississippi
There is one fully online school counseling program in Mississippi. Additionally, 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 is the online option available in Mississippi:
Delta State University
- Cleveland, MS
- 60 credits
- Online + Hybrid
Program:
Master of Education
City: Cleveland, MS
Modality: Online or Hybrid
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $4,217.50 per semester, $16,870 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Delta State University offers both a hybrid and a fully online version of its CACREP-accredited school counseling master’s program. Students who live within a 100-mile radius of campus will be automatically enrolled in the hybrid version. Those who live more than 100 miles from the campus will be automatically enrolled in the fully online version.
Why We Like This Program:
- Delta State University offers scholarships specifically for students in the school counseling program.
- This program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores for consideration.
Additional Considerations:
- Applications are accepted year-round.
CACREP-Accredited School Counseling Masters Programs in Mississippi
There are five CACREP-accredited master’s programs in school counseling in the state of Mississippi.
“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.
In addition to the programs listed below, Delta State University also offers a CACREP-accredited school counseling master’s program.
Mississippi College
- Clinton, MS
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Education
City: Clinton, MS
Modality: In Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $600 per credit hour, $36,000 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Mississippi College is a private Christian college that offers a CACREP-accredited school counseling program. This program prides itself on recruiting students from diverse backgrounds who “demonstrate character, maturity, scholarship, leadership, church/community involvement, and interest in the counseling profession.”
Why We Like This Program:
- Graduates of this program will be eligible to apply for licensure as a school counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores for consideration.
Additional Considerations:
- Applications are accepted year-round, but there are deadlines to begin in a specific term. June 1st is the fall semester deadline, and October 1st is the spring semester deadline.
Mississippi State University
- Starkville, MS
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Science
City: Starkville, MS
Modality: In Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $10,454 per year, $21,090 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Mississippi State University offers a master’s program in school counseling that fuses the ASCA National Model, the Mississippi Counseling Model, and the National Standards for School Counselors. Students can choose from unique elective offerings, including “Counseling the Gifted Student” and “Utilizing Art in Counseling.”
Why We Like This Program:
- This program is CACREP-accredited.
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores for consideration.
- Students can transfer up to 12 credits from another approved program.
Additional Considerations:
- The priority application deadline for the school counseling program is March 1st.
Mississippi State University at Meridian
- Meridian, MS
- 60 credits
- Hybrid
Program:
Master of Science
City: Meridian, MS
Modality: Hybrid
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $5,227 per semester, $20,908 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
This program is similar to the one offered at Mississippi State University’s main campus. The most noteworthy difference is that the program at the Meridian campus is a hybrid format that is predominantly conducted online.
Why We Like This Program:
- This program is CACREP-accredited.
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores for consideration.
- This program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.
Additional Considerations:
- Students may begin their coursework in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The spring application deadline is December 1st. The summer application deadline is May 15th. The fall application deadline is August 1st.
The University of Mississippi
- Oxford, MS
- 60 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Education
City: Oxford, MS
Modality: In Person
Length: 60 credit hours
Tuition: $484.25 per credit hour, $29,055 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
While its formal name may be The University of Mississippi, this flagship institution is better known as “Ole Miss.” The school counseling master’s program is CACREP-accredited, and classes are held at the Oxford campus.
Why We Like This Program:
- This program has 100% completion, job placement, and exam pass rates.
- Applicants are not required to submit their GRE scores for consideration.
Additional Considerations:
- This program is structured to be completed in two years, with classes held year-round.
No GRE Required School Counseling Masters Programs in Mississippi
There are six institutions within the state of Mississippi 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 program listed below, Delta State University, Mississippi College, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State University at Meridian, and The University of Mississippi also do not require applicants to submit their GRE scores.
Alcorn State University
- Lorman, MS
- 51 credits
- In-Person
Program:
Master of Science in Education
City: Lorman, MS
Modality: In-Person
Length: 51 credit hours
Tuition: $405 per credit hour, $20,655 estimated total program cost
Program Overview:
Alcorn State University offers a Master of Science in Education in School Counseling with a generous six-year completion time limit. There are numerous optional electives for students to choose from that include topics like grief, spirituality, and human sexuality.
Why We Like This Program:
- The GRE requirement is currently waived for applicants to the school counseling program.
- Students have the option to complete their master’s degree by attending during summers only, which could be suitable for those already working in a school setting.
Additional Considerations:
- This program is not CACREP-accredited.
Mississippi’s Most Affordable School Counseling Master’s Program
With an estimated total cost of $16,870, Delta State University is the most affordable choice in Mississippi to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling.
School Counseling In Mississippi
There were 436,523 students enrolled in Mississippi public schools in the 2023-2024 school year. Mississippi is home to a diverse student population. 46.86% of students are black/African American, 42.14% are white, 4.96% are Hispanic, 4.63% are two or more races, 1.12% are Asian, and .29% are American Indian or Pacific Islander. Recently, Mississippi’s public schools have ranked among the best in the nation.
The American School Counseling Association (ASCA) recommends a student-to-school counselor ratio of 250:1. In the 2022-2023 school year, Mississippi’s student-to-school counselor ratio was 376:1. While this is higher than the official recommendation, this is within the typical range for most states.
School Counselor Certification In Mississippi
There is more than one pathway to earning a school counseling license in Mississippi. All candidates must hold a master’s degree in school counseling. Those with five years of teaching experience do not need to complete an internship. Candidates must also pass the appropriate Praxis exam. However, school counselors who are National Certified School Counselors are exempt from other requirements. Click here for more information on school counseling licensure in Mississippi.
FAQs
How much does a school counselor make in Mississippi?
The salary of a school counselor in Mississippi varies between school districts. The average salary statewide is $49,600.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Mississippi?
Typically, it takes between two and three years to become a school counselor in Mississippi. 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, Mississippi does not require school counselors to have any prior teaching experience.
What is the best school counseling master’s program in Mississippi?
It’s challenging to determine one program that is objectively “the best.” Students who want to learn either in an online or hybrid modality should consider Delta State University, Mississippi State University at Meridian, or William Carey University. Those who are looking for a larger university with more resources may find The University of Mississippi more suitable for them. Ultimately, the best school counseling master’s program depends on each individual’s preferences and priorities.
