Accreditation
Bushnell University’s School Counseling programs are accredited by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), ensuring they meet the highest standards for preparing professional school counselors.
These programs are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to support the success of K-12 students.
Why Choose School Counseling at Bushnell?
Small cohorts, personalized faculty mentorship, and extensive field experience prepare you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students. Bushnell’s Master of Arts in School Counseling combines professional counseling preparation, student advocacy, and practical training to help you develop the skills needed to support academic, social, emotional, and career development in K–12 schools.
Faculty include experienced educators and school counselors who invest personally in your success while providing guidance throughout the program. Students benefit from discussion-based evening classes, collaborative cohort learning, and mentorship that continues from admission through graduation.
Through practicum and internship experiences in elementary and secondary school settings, you’ll apply counseling theories, intervention strategies, crisis response techniques, and student support practices in real educational environments. Graduates leave prepared for Oregon school counseling licensure and leadership opportunities in schools across the region.
600
Hours of supervised internship experience
K–12
School counseling licensure preparation
24 Months
To complete your master’s degree
What You’ll Study
How the Curriculum is Structured
The School Counseling curriculum combines counseling theory, child and adolescent development, crisis intervention, career counseling, ethics, assessment, and school-based counseling practices. You’ll develop the knowledge and skills needed to support students academically, socially, emotionally, and professionally across diverse school environments.
Coursework explores counseling theories, group counseling, family systems, multicultural counseling, substance abuse prevention, crisis management, career development, and student advocacy while emphasizing ethical practice and evidence-based decision-making.
Experiential learning is integrated throughout the program through practicum experiences, supervised internships, and field-based learning opportunities that help you apply classroom learning in real educational settings.
Clinical Practice and Internship Experience
School Counseling students gain hands-on experience through supervised practicum and internship placements that connect classroom learning to real K–12 school environments. You’ll work directly with students, families, educators, and school communities while developing counseling, advocacy, intervention, and crisis response skills under the guidance of licensed school counselors.
Students complete 600 hours of supervised internship experience across both elementary and secondary school settings, providing broad exposure to the responsibilities and opportunities within the profession. Track II students also complete an additional 200-hour classroom practicum that strengthens their understanding of teaching, learning, and school culture. These experiences help students graduate with the confidence and practical skills needed to support student success from day one.
Program Pathways
Track I Pathway
Designed for licensed teachers with at least two years of successful teaching experience, Track I builds on your classroom expertise while preparing you for Oregon school counseling licensure. You’ll develop counseling, leadership, advocacy, and intervention skills through coursework and supervised field experiences while preparing to support the academic, social, emotional, and career development of K–12 students.
Track II Pathway
Designed for students who do not hold a current teaching license or have fewer than two years of licensed teaching experience, Track II includes additional coursework and field experiences that strengthen your understanding of teaching, learning, curriculum development, and classroom management. This pathway provides comprehensive preparation for Oregon school counseling licensure and K–12 counseling practice.
School Counseling Certificate
The School Counseling Certificate provides an alternative pathway for individuals who already hold a qualifying graduate degree in mental health counseling and want to pursue school counseling licensure. Through specialized coursework and supervised field experiences, you’ll build the skills needed to support the academic, social, emotional, and career development of K–12 students in school settings.
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Skills You’ll Gain as a School Counselor
Through Bushnell’s School Counseling program, you’ll develop professional skills, including:
- Individual and group counseling techniques
- Crisis intervention and student support strategies
- Career and academic counseling practices
- Child and adolescent development knowledge
- Multicultural counseling and student advocacy
- Assessment and intervention planning
- Family and community collaboration
- Ethical and legal decision-making
- Leadership within school systems
- Professional communication and relationship building
Planning Your Path to School Counseling
Learn more about admissions, licensure, internship requirements, program expectations, and additional resources as you prepare for a career in school counseling.
Admission to the Master of Arts in School Counseling program requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, official transcripts, a statement of purpose, resume, recommendation materials, and participation in an admissions interview. Bushnell takes a holistic approach to admissions, considering academic achievement, professional experience, leadership potential, and personal goals throughout the review process. Students who do not meet minimum GPA requirements may still be considered for admission through additional review and supporting documentation.
Bushnell University’s Master of Arts in School Counseling program is accredited by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and prepares graduates to pursue Oregon school counseling licensure. Coursework, field experiences, and professional preparation are aligned with state requirements and industry standards to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to serve as school counselors in K–12 settings. Students seeking licensure outside Oregon should review their state’s requirements and consult with program faculty for additional guidance.
Hands-on experience is a central component of the School Counseling program. Students complete 600 hours of supervised internship experience under the guidance of licensed school counselors and Bushnell faculty supervisors, with placements divided between elementary and secondary school settings. Students in Track II also complete an additional 200-hour classroom practicum designed to strengthen their understanding of teaching, learning, and school environments. These experiences help students build confidence while applying counseling skills in real educational settings.
The School Counseling program is designed for working professionals and can typically be completed in as few as 24 months. Classes meet in person during evening hours and follow a cohort model that encourages collaboration, professional networking, and peer support throughout the program. While many students continue working during graduate study, internship and practicum experiences occur during regular school hours and may require schedule flexibility.
Students planning to pursue licensure outside Oregon should review the requirements established by their state’s licensing agency. While Bushnell’s School Counseling program is designed to meet Oregon licensure standards, requirements may vary by state. Program faculty can help students understand potential licensure considerations and identify additional steps that may be needed after graduation.
Oregon licensure requirements include fingerprint clearance through TSPC and successful completion of Civil Rights in Educational Settings training modules. Fingerprint clearance must be obtained before official admission to the program, and all required civil rights training must be completed prior to beginning field experiences. Program faculty provide guidance throughout the licensure preparation process to help students understand and complete all professional requirements.
More information on testing requirements can be found here.
What drew me to Bushnell was the supportive community and the faculty who genuinely invest in student success. Throughout the program, I’ve learned from professors who care deeply about their students while studying alongside a passionate cohort that challenges and encourages me every step of the way.”
One of the most valuable parts of the program was learning alongside classmates with diverse experiences and perspectives. The relationships I built continue today, both personally and professionally, and many of my colleagues in the field are fellow Bushnell graduates.”
The coursework was directly connected to the responsibilities I now have as a school counselor, and I still reference materials, projects, and resources from the program today. Every course helped me build skills and confidence that continue to serve me in my career.”
Frequently Asked Questions
A Master’s in School Counseling prepares graduates to pursue licensure and work as school counselors in public and private K–12 schools. School counselors support students’ academic success, social-emotional development, career exploration, and overall well-being while collaborating with families, educators, and community partners.
Bushnell’s Master of Arts in School Counseling can typically be completed in as few as 24 months (five semesters). The program is designed for working professionals and features evening classes, a cohort model, and supervised field experiences that prepare students for school counseling licensure.
Students complete 600 hours of supervised internship experience in elementary and secondary school settings under the guidance of licensed school counselors and Bushnell faculty supervisors. Students in Track II also complete an additional 200-hour classroom practicum.
Yes. Bushnell University’s Master of Arts in School Counseling program is accredited by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) and prepares graduates to pursue Oregon school counseling licensure for K–12 school settings.
Contact Us
Have questions about Bushnell’s School Counseling program? Your admissions counselor can walk you through requirements, discuss transfer credits, and help you figure out your next step.
Our faculty and staff are 100% committed to your learning and invested in your success.
Come learn with us!
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