Program Overview
Our Master’s in School Counseling will prepare you to have a positive and sustained impact for students, families, schools, and communities, especially those who have been historically marginalized. Our aim is to develop you into a skilled, ethical school counselor who advocates for positive change by learning, leading, and serving your students and communities.
As you approach graduation at Niagara, you’ll be able to facilitate the academic, career, personal, and social development and achievement in all pre-K to grade 12 students.
Flexibility
You’ll have the option to complete our program on a full- or part-time basis with a timeline that ranges from 24 to 26 months. Courses are typically held in the evenings to accommodate your schedule.
Opportunities for Non-Traditional Students
We offer personalized support for students from non-traditional backgrounds by managing employment in school settings while fulfilling internship requirements or recognizing previously-completed graduate work in school counseling.
Personalized Expert Instruction
You’ll receive individual attention and personal instruction from our award-winning faculty in our small class settings.
Elevate your career at NU
Discovery Awaits
What You’ll Study at Niagara University
Our rigorous curriculum is in line with contemporary expectations and innovative best practices to help you facilitate the mindsets and behaviors necessary to define, manage, deliver, and assess school counseling programs in New York state.
Once you graduate from the program, you’ll have the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to close achievement gaps for students, advocate for the delivery of multi-tiered services to meet the needs of the community, and engage in decision-making that is grounded in the models, ethics, and standards of the American School Counselor Association.
Find Your Best Self
Knowledge, Experience, and Skill Development
Foundations in professional school counseling
Career development and college readiness
Fostering a supportive school climate and collaborative work school, family, and community
Equity, advocacy, and diversity in programming and in support of students
Child growth, development, and student learning
Group and individual counseling theories and techniques
Best practices for the profession and in school counseling programming
Research and program development
Niagara by the Numbers
The school counseling program at Niagara has provided me with the tools needed to be successful as an emerging future school counselor. The all-inclusive and diversified approach that drives the program, close-knit community with faculty and other students, and the immense amount of support, empowerment, and opportunities given, have truly shaped the well-rounded woman I have become. Hopefully you have a chance to see why Niagara is such a special place to spend two years in the Master’s program. You will not regret it.Ariana Sanders, '22
Completing my first year in the School Counseling Program at Niagara University has amplified my intelligence in ways I am excited to embrace. The course content has been immeasurably empowering and implementation has been satisfying. My heart’s posture is nothing short of grateful for every seed that has been sown in my life through my incredible professors thus far. With the intention of being a multi-culturally competent school counselor, I have been committed to immerse myself in the school-home-community to invoke the best understanding possible to assist my students and families with holistic development. With humility, I await the opportunity to bring my passion and skill set to enhance the comprehensive school counseling program I will have the pleasure of being assigned to.Mia Crumpton, '24
Through the program thus far, I have learned multiple counseling theories and techniques, and the ethical guidelines that are to be used as an aspiring school counselor. I know I will continue to grow personally and professionally through the knowledge and skills gained from Niagara University’s School Counseling program. My future aspiration is to return to my alma mater, Niagara Falls High School as a School Counselor to help guide and support the youth of my community as they transition to adulthood.Ta-Shara Carter
I highly recommend the school counseling masters program at Niagara University. From the moment I started, I could tell that the faculty and staff were very committed to ensuring that each student was successful. The classes were engaging, and provided a great balance of theory, practical application, and hands-on experience. I also appreciated the support and guidance from my professors and classmates. They were always willing to answer questions, offer feedback, and provide encouragement. I felt like I was part of a community that was truly invested in my success as a future school counselor.Julianna Jacoby-Patronski, ‘97 ‘23
Accreditations
Ready to Apply?
Filling out an application is easy!
NU offers rolling admissions, which means that you can apply at any time for the upcoming semester. Applications are reviewed as they come in, and students are typically notified of an admission decision in 3-4 weeks. What’s stopping you?
Apply NowMain Contact
Dr. Derron Hilts
Assistant Professor
MTW: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (virtual or by appointment)