MEd in Professional Counseling, School Counseling Concentration

The MEd in professional counseling, school counseling concentration is a 60 credit masters program leading to certification as a school counselor in the state of New Jersey. The program consists of a common core of 42 Credits, 12 Credits specific to school counseling, and 2 electives. A New Jersey Standard Teacher's certificate is not required to obtain School Counseling Certification. 

View Required Courses and Course Descriptions in the University Course Catalog
Click Here: Professional Counseling: School Counseling Concentration, MED

Admission Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended.
  • Cumulative grade point average of no less than 2.75 on 4.00 scale or a master’s degree from an approved college/university.
  • Essay
  • Two professional letters of reference.
  • Interview with counseling faculty and writing sample.

Application Deadline

August 1st: Fall semester
December 1st: Spring semester
*Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a space availability basis

*International students are advised to apply by:
April 1st: Fall (September intake)
November 1st: Spring (January intake)

Contact

Professor Meredith Drew
Program Director, Department of Special Education, Professional Counseling, and Disability Studies
drewm2@wpunj.edu
973-720-3092

Additional Information

In order to begin internship, students must successfully complete a student portfolio as well as passing the Pre-Internship Benchmark Exam (PIB). After successfully completing these requirements and the 60 Credits, the student is eligible to apply and be endorsed for the NJ School Counselor Certification.

*Please be advised that admissions requirements, curriculum, and course schedules are subject to modification without notice.

There are approximately 108 matriculated students in the Professional Counseling Program (2023-2024). Of those students, approximately 44% identify as female, 10% identify as male, and 46% have not reported gender. The racial make-up of students is approximately 26% White, 15% Black/African American, 7% Hispanic, 2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 2% Multi-Racial, 2% Middle Eastern, and 46% unidentified. Approximately 37% of students reported non-Hispanic origin, while 17% reported Hispanic, Latino, Spanish origin, and 46% did not respond. Approximately 52% of students reported not having a documented disability, 2% reported a documented disability, and 46% did not respond to this question. One percent of students reported veteran status, while 53% reported not being a veteran, and 46% did not respond. No students reported active duty, though 46% did not respond. Two percent (2%) of students are international and 46% did not respond to this status. 

Overall, approximately 99% of matriculated students graduate from the program in the expected time frame, three years for full time students and four years for part time students. We have an approximate program completion rate of 99% along with a job placement rate of 97% for our students/graduates. In 2024 there were 13 graduates from the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration and 10 graduates from the School Counseling Concentration. Out of the 23 graduates, 17 students completed the National Counselor Exam (NCE), resulting in a program pass rate of 88%, with Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration students achieving an 85% pass rate.