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Advance your leadership skills on a Vincentian foundation
With a master’s degree in Counseling, you’ll transform lives using careful, considered approaches to complex human problems. Our graduate counseling program is one of the largest in Illinois and produces skilled leaders in each of its
three specialty areas, all of which are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Educational Programs (CACREP).
The CACREP accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling practitioner-oriented program prepares graduates to work in settings such as community agencies, private practices, hospitals, foster care agencies, and correctional facilities. You’ll be prepared to help clients overcome the obstacles that prevent them from leading healthy and productive lives.
Please note: As of July 1, 2023, the College Counseling and Student Affairs specialty area is no longer accepting applications for admission.
The CACREP accredited College Counseling and Student Affairs specialty area is for professionals who will work in student affairs offices, including career centers, residential life, and college counseling programs. Coursework will touch on national policy, management theory, and the foundations of student affairs.
The CACREP accredited School Counseling specialty area leads to professional school counselor licensure through the Illinois State Board of Education. You’ll be ready to work in public and private K–12 school systems with a strong background in data-driven counseling.
You have the option to pursue an initial teaching license (PEL) with a School Counselor endorsement. Students who are already licensed can add a School Counselor endorsement to their PEL.
Courses are offered weekday evenings and Saturdays on the Lincoln Park Campus. The program can be completed in three years.
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Provide guided instruction for Chicago students
Directly impact the diverse population of Chicago by working in our Education and Counseling Center. This learning laboratory offers a variety of programs and events for children and teens. You’ll gain experience providing individual and group counseling to school-aged children.
Application Deadlines
The Counseling program admits new students every fall quarter. It has set admission deadlines and prospective students must complete an application by the following dates to be considered for admission:
- Fall: August 15 (or until program reaches capacity)
Admission Requirements
Submit an online application, letters of recommendation, essay, résumé, personal statement and official transcripts.
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Required Courses
Based on your specialty area, you’ll take 60 to 90 quarter hours of core curriculum and specialty area coursework, as well as practicum, internship, and elective courses.
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1st
DePaul’s Counseling program was the first in Illinois and 24th in the United States to affiliate with Education Trust’s National Center for Transforming School Counseling.
91%
of Counseling graduates were employed, continuing their education or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.
Expand your knowledge with educational leaders
At DePaul, you’ll learn from faculty like Assistant Professor Rebecca Michel who recently published an article that was recognized as the Most Valuable Article of the Year by ACA AdultSpan Journal. At DePaul, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from her in courses like contextual dimensions of college student development and career counseling.
“In my work and travels as the 2019 National School Counselor of the Year, I often talk about my ‘unicorn philosophy,’ which is all about taking a strengths-based approach to youth support and modeling this approach through affirmation and validation of the skills, passions, and perspectives that make us all unique. I learned how to do that at DePaul. I learned how my identities as a first-generation, Black, gay, cisgender man and my backgrounds in theatre and sociology could be leveraged and supported via creative, intentional (and comprehensive) counseling programming to make a positive impact in the lives of others. With my own eyes, I’ve come to truly see that the counseling program at DePaul is highly respected in the school counseling profession for producing excellence in the field, and we all carry that legacy with us from the moment we begin our DePaul journeys.”
Brian (MEd ’14)
Counseling Department Chair, William Jones College Preparatory High School
Alumni Network
Your degree connects you with DePaul’s community of more than 195,500 alumni, 122,500 of whom are in the Chicago area. You’ll also have access to College of Education alumni resources, including networking, professional development workshops and certifications.
Program Data
Each year the Counseling Program conducts a self-evaluation to inform curricular and programmatic changes.
Program Data 2021-2022
Program Evaluation Report 2021–2022
Scholarships
Graduate school is an investment in your future. Learn more about the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available to you.
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Contact Information
For more information about applying, contact The Office of Graduate Admission for DePaul’s College of Education at
(773) 325-4405 or
edgradadmissions@depaul.edu.
Take the next step
We’ll send you information about the degree, admission requirements and upcoming info sessions. Let’s get started.
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