Master of Arts
School Counseling
Master of Arts
Master of Arts
Stand Out in your calling.
NEXT START August 26 Cohorts begin every fall + spring
STREAMLINED Finish in less than 2 years Complete your degree in 5 consecutive semesters
ONLINE 100% online coursework With synchronous virtual class meetings
AFFORDABLE $590 per credit Affordable tuition + 48 credit program saves you time and money

Professional Preparation

Professional Preparation

Professional Preparation

Prepare for a rewarding career providing supportive, competent school counseling services in elementary (K-8) or secondary (5-12) settings. With 100% online coursework and experiential learning, gain the skills necessary to use your calling in a professional counseling role for elementary through high school students. 




Why Northwestern?

Why Northwestern?

Why Northwestern?

Why Northwestern?

Northwestern's faith-integrated program, you will be part of a community dedicated to the development of outstanding counselors who are called to serve students and families across your school district through school-wide prevention and intervention programs, social and cultural competencies, and trauma-informed care processes. You'll be equipped to apply legal and ethical principles, professional standards, and ASCA competencies to implement a school counseling program that drives systemic change and supports student success by addressing cultural, social, and environmental influences. 

Earn your M.A. in School Counseling Online

Earn your M.A. in School Counseling Online

Earn your M.A. in School Counseling Online

Earn your M.A. in School Counseling Online

Integrate a Christian perspective with culturally sensitive and ethical skills to courageously and faithfully support, empower, and contribute to students success.

Throughout 8-week courses, you will complete weekly self-paced assignments and attend occasional live virtual class meetings. Practicum and internship experiences provide hands-on training to apply theory and develop as a clinical counselor in supervised local settings. Designed for working professionals, the program can be completed in less than 2 years (5 semesters).




"Professionally, I feel very well-prepared for a job in the school counseling field. I was consistently pushed to develop the skills needed to serve in the school counseling profession or similar career areas. Because of my Northwestern education, I feel prepared to make the next steps in my career. This program has provided the knowledge and skills needed to move forward with my career in education."

-Megan, M.A. School Counseling Student

"Professionally, I feel very well-prepared for a job in the school counseling field. I was consistently pushed to develop the skills needed to serve in the school counseling profession or similar career areas. Because of my Northwestern education, I feel prepared to make the next steps in my career. This program has provided the knowledge and skills needed to move forward with my career in education."

-Megan, M.A. School Counseling Student

"Professionally, I feel very well-prepared for a job in the school counseling field. I was consistently pushed to develop the skills needed to serve in the school counseling profession or similar career areas. Because of my Northwestern education, I feel prepared to make the next steps in my career. This program has provided the knowledge and skills needed to move forward with my career in education."

-Megan, M.A. School Counseling Student




Program approval

Northwestern's Master of Arts in School Counseling is approved by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and aligned with the standards and competencies of the American School Counseling Association (ASCA). 

Teaching license

Teachers licensed in Iowa complete the program to receive endorsements in K-8 (#172) and/or 5-12 (#173) school counseling.

If you do not hold a teaching license, you are still eligible for this program. Please reach out to your enrollment counselor for more information.

Tuition + fees

Continuing your education is more than a time investment. Learn more about our tuition, fees, and financial aid resources and discover what resources that may help you finance your master's degree with Northwestern College. We strive to offer our quality programs at an affordable cost. 

For M.A. School Counseling tuition and fees, see below. 

Financial aid information

Alumni Grant

The Alumni Grant is available to Northwestern College alumni who completed either their undergraduate or a graduate degree through Northwestern. Alumni wishing to pursue their Master of Arts in School Counseling degree online at NWC can apply a tuition discount of 50% for their first course. 

TEACH Grant

The TEACH Grant may be available to help pay for your master's if you plan to become a school counselor in a low-income area. For more information visit the TEACH Grant website.

Teach Grant

Additional resources

Click the link below to access a variety of additional resources designed to support your educational journey. Here you'll find helpful tools to provide further assistance as you move forward. 

additional resources

Northwestern's Master of Arts in School Counseling is approved by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and aligned with the standards and competencies of the American School Counseling Association (ASCA). 

Teachers licensed in Iowa complete the program to receive endorsements in K-8 (#172) and/or 5-12 (#173) school counseling.

If you do not hold a teaching license, you are still eligible for this program. Please reach out to your enrollment counselor for more information.

Continuing your education is more than a time investment. Learn more about our tuition, fees, and financial aid resources and discover what resources that may help you finance your master's degree with Northwestern College. We strive to offer our quality programs at an affordable cost. 

For M.A. School Counseling tuition and fees, see below. 

Financial aid information

The Alumni Grant is available to Northwestern College alumni who completed either their undergraduate or a graduate degree through Northwestern. Alumni wishing to pursue their Master of Arts in School Counseling degree online at NWC can apply a tuition discount of 50% for their first course. 

The TEACH Grant may be available to help pay for your master's if you plan to become a school counselor in a low-income area. For more information visit the TEACH Grant website.

Teach Grant

Click the link below to access a variety of additional resources designed to support your educational journey. Here you'll find helpful tools to provide further assistance as you move forward. 

additional resources




Application Requirements

Application Requirements

Application Requirements

No GRE required. No application fee.

No GRE required. No application fee.

No GRE required. No application fee.

Application materials reviewed on a rolling basis. They will be evaluated as they are received. Following a review of all completed application materials, applicants will be invited to a virtual interview with a faculty member.

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Baccalaureate degree

Official transcripts showing a degree from an accredited institution.

  • Official transcripts are needed from your bachelor's degree institution as well as from any institution showing graduate credit if seeking transfer credit.
  • No undergraduate transcripts are required of NWC alumni

Send official transcripts to onlineadmissions@nwciowa.edu or Northwestern College, Graduate & Professional Studies, 101 7th St SW, Orange City, IA 51041. 

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GPA requirements

Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants with a GPA under 3.0 may be eligible for conditional admission on a case-by-case basis.

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Updated résumé

Updated résumé can be uploaded and submitted with your application or emailed to online@nwciowa.edu following submission of your online application.  

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Background check

Background check must be completed through CastleBranch.

Preferred application process for Northwestern College graduates
Graduates of Northwestern College receive the benefit of a more streamlined application process and do not need to submit their NWC undergraduate transcripts. All other application requirements are required.

Preferred application process for Northwestern College graduates
Graduates of Northwestern College receive the benefit of a more streamlined application process and do not need to submit their NWC undergraduate transcripts. All other application requirements are required.

Preferred application process for Northwestern College graduates
Graduates of Northwestern College receive the benefit of a more streamlined application process and do not need to submit their NWC undergraduate transcripts. All other application requirements are required.




Program Specifics

Program Specifics

Program Specifics

48 credit program

48 credit program

48 credit program

COUN510 - Assessment and Appraisal
COUN515 - Ethics
COUN520 - Social & Cultural Foundations
COUN525 - Human Growth & Development
COUN530 - Group Counseling and Group Work
COUN550 - Theories & Skills Of Counseling I
COUN555 - Crisis, Trauma and Suicide
COUN580 - Career Development
COUN585 - Research and Program Evaluation
COUN635 - Capstone
SCO515 - Foundations of School Counseling
SCO520 - Child and Adolescent Diagnosis and Treatment
SCO540 - School Counseling Practice and Programs
SCO610 - Practicum
SCO615 - Internship I
SCO620 - Internship II



Tuition + Fees

Tuition + Fees

Tuition + Fees

Graduate school is an investment in your career. Northwestern College strives to be transparent by displaying all of the estimated financial costs for your time as a student. Below you will find estimated program costs so you can plan now and feel fully prepared to begin your studies at Northwestern. For financial aid questions, contact the financial aid team

Graduate school is an investment in your career. Northwestern College strives to be transparent by displaying all of the estimated financial costs for your time as a student. Below you will find estimated program costs so you can plan now and feel fully prepared to begin your studies at Northwestern. For financial aid questions, contact the financial aid team

Graduate school is an investment in your career. Northwestern College strives to be transparent by displaying all of the estimated financial costs for your time as a student. Below you will find estimated program costs so you can plan now and feel fully prepared to begin your studies at Northwestern. For financial aid questions, contact the financial aid team

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View program cost estimates

These estimates do not include loan fees which will vary depending on the type of loan. This page is intended to provide estimates for prospective students. Exact costs may change, and the costs of tuition and fees are subject to change. Policies and procedures for refunding tuition and fees can also be found in the Northwestern Graduate Catalog

These estimates do not include loan fees which will vary depending on the type of loan. This page is intended to provide estimates for prospective students. Exact costs may change, and the costs of tuition and fees are subject to change. Policies and procedures for refunding tuition and fees can also be found in the Northwestern Graduate Catalog

These estimates do not include loan fees which will vary depending on the type of loan. This page is intended to provide estimates for prospective students. Exact costs may change, and the costs of tuition and fees are subject to change. Policies and procedures for refunding tuition and fees can also be found in the Northwestern Graduate Catalog




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