The Evergreen State is home to several of the most well-known companies worldwide. Microsoft, Boeing, Amazon, and Starbucks are among the prominent corporations based in Washington. With over 8 million residents also calling Washington home, the Pacific Northwest state has experienced steady population gains since COVID-19.
More than 1.1 million students are enrolled in public schools across 295 school districts and 8 state-tribal education compact schools, and an additional 80,000 students attend private schools. In 2021, Washington legislators passed a bill requiring districts to develop and implement comprehensive school counseling programs. In addressing the rapidly evolving academic, career-development, and social-emotional needs of students, the state has received recognition for its commitment to providing quality public education.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in school counseling, Washington has seven masters degree programs from which to choose. Read below to find the perfect fit for your professional goal.
Masters Programs in Washington To Become a School Counselor
School counselors are integral in developing comprehensive programming and providing direct services to support the academic, career, and personal growth of all students. Though Washington has a low number of school counseling master’s programs relative to its population, all six options in the state offer quality, rigorous education. Five of the seven programs are accredited through CACREP, and all emphasize service, advocacy, and equity in developing future professionals.
City University of Seattle
- Seattle
- 90 hours
- Hybrid
City: Seattle
Modality: Hybrid
Degree: MA
Length: 90 hours
Tuition: $7,100 per quarter
Program Overview:
This CACREP-accredited, hybrid program is located in Seattle, Washington’s most populous city. The program’s framework is steeped in social justice principles, as future school counselors are oriented to serve all students regardless of race, immigration status, and socio-economic status. Didactic courses are worth 5 hours, and the program has 100% completion, licensure exam pass, and post-graduation employment rates.
Whitworth University
- Spokane
- 60 hours
- In-Person
City: Spokane
Modality: In Person
Degree: MEd
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: $6,075 per semester
Program Overview:
Working professionals hoping to earn a school counseling master’s degree within 3 years may be interested in Whitworth University. Professional skills such as multicultural sensitivity, advocacy, and counseling competency are built through in-person instruction. The GRE is required for applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0. The program is accredited through the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council and is the recent recipient of a federal grant to increase the number of licensed school counselors in Washington’s highest-need districts.
Online School Counseling Masters Programs in Washington
Washington has one fully online school counseling masters degree program, offered through Seattle University. As a testament to the quality of the programs in the state, the online program is also CACREP-accredited.
Seattle University Online
- Seattle
- 90 hours
- Online
City: Seattle
Modality: Online
Degree: MAEd
Length: 90 hours
Tuition: $11,853 per semester
Program Overview:
Seattle University’s school counseling master’s program allows students to choose between online and in-person delivery. The online, CACREP-accredited program frames student support and advocacy through a data-driven, anti-racist lens and explores the challenging issues facing today’s young population, including substance abuse and mental health. Several of the didactic and internship courses are worth 4 hours each.
CACREP Accredited School Counseling Masters Programs in Washington
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs is the most prominent accrediting organization for counselor preparation programs. Rigorous curricula, qualified educators, and competency-based instruction are among the standards set by CACREP. Washington state has five CACREP-accredited school counseling masters programs. In addition to the schools below, City University of Seattle, the University of Puget Sound, and Seattle University’s online program are all CACREP-accredited.
Gonzaga University
- Spokane
- 60 hours
- In-Person
City: Spokane
Modality: In Person
Degree: MA
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: $10,080 per semester
Program Overview:
Gonzaga University’s collaborative, cohort-based school counseling masters program is designed to be completed in two years. Taught in the Jesuit traditions of service and social justice, Gonzaga prepares students to be theoretically knowledgeable, professionally competent, and ethical interpreters of research and best practices.
Western Washington University
- Bellingham
- 90 hours
- In-Person
City: Bellingham
Modality: In Person
Degree: MEd
Length: 90 hours
Tuition: $4,501 per quarter
Program Overview:
The northernmost institution in the contiguous United States, Western Washington’s small, cohort-based model can be completed in two years with full-time enrollment. Operating on a quarterly calendar, the immersive, cohort-based program equips students to be ethical, skilled advocates for diverse populations. Students may opt into a research project, completing a thesis along with clinical fieldwork.
No GRE Required School Counseling Masters Programs in Washington
Over the past several years, many graduate programs have suspended the GRE requirement in favor of a holistic applicant review. Academic record, prior experience, recommendations, and interviews have taken the test’s place as part of the comprehensive admission process. Six of Washington’s seven school counseling programs do not require the GRE; Whitworth University asks students to submit a recent test score if the applicant’s undergraduate GPA is below 3.0.
University of Puget Sound
- Tacoma
- 15 units
- In-Person
City: Tacoma
Modality: In Person
Degree: MEd
Length: 15 units
Tuition: $5,155 per unit
Program Overview:
The University of Puget Sound’s school counseling masters program prepares students to become advocates for educational equity. Through collaboration and experiential learning, this cohort model program trains students to apply counseling theory to culturally responsive practice. Courses are worth units, and this CACREP-accredited program can be completed in two years.
Seattle University In Person
- Seattle
- 90 hours
- In-Person
City: Seattle
Modality: In Person
Degree: MAEd
Length: 90 hours
Tuition: $11,853 per semester
Program Overview:
Along with its online option, Seattle University offers an in-person delivery of its school counseling masters program. Designed to be completed in three years, students are prepared to be leaders and advocates for social justice and are trained to develop and implement a comprehensive school counseling program.
Washington’s Most Affordable School Counseling Masters Programs
Cost is an important factor when considering which masters degree program is the best fit for you. With Washington’s higher-than-average cost of living, Whitworth University’s masters program is the most affordable of the state’s options. With their semester calendar and recently awarded grant to support high-need regions, this program is an attractive option for individuals interested in the school counseling profession.
Accelerated Washington School Counseling Masters Programs
Washington does not have a designated accelerated school counseling masters program for individuals who have already obtained a bachelor’s degree. However, the University of Puget Sound has an accelerated pathway to a masters degree in school counseling for enrolled undergraduate students who meet specific admissions criteria.
FAQs
How Much Does a School Counselor Make in Washington?
Factors such as the state’s cost of living, previous experience, and school district can influence a school counselor’s salary. Washington is among the more expensive states to reside in, with a cost of living that is 8.6% higher than the national average. As a result, the average salary for school counselors in Washington is $79,688, which is 30% higher than the national average.
How Long Does It Take to Become a School Counselor in Washington?
Washington’s school counseling programs typically include 15 didactic classes and multiple clinical placements. A masters degree can take 2 to 3 years to earn, depending on the length of the program, your enrollment status, and the institution’s academic calendar.
What Is The Best School Counseling Program in Washington?
Washington has seven school counseling masters degree programs, all of which thoroughly prepare students to serve public and private schools through rigorous, equity-informed instruction and engaging fieldwork placements. Among the high-caliber options, Seattle University’s CACREP-accredited online program stands out for its data-driven focus, social justice framework, and continuous growth.
