Online Master’s in Counseling and Development

2 years to complete

Small class sizes

2 concentrations

Experienced faculty

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Programs Curriculum Careers

Earn Your Degree On Your Schedule

Winthrop University welcomes you to our online M.Ed. in Counseling and Development program. You’ll learn with a small cohort model from richly experienced faculty members who value their interaction with you.

They’ll support you in learning various theoretical models and applied settings and carefully guide you through practicums and internships so you excel in your clinical work. Throughout group discussions, case presentations, internships and practicums, they’ll help you pursue diverse, growing careers.

Winthrop is a public, comprehensive university committed to excellence, ranking among the top institutions of our kind in the nation. With our highly qualified faculty and high-quality curricula, we attract a diverse student population dedicated to achievement and social responsibility.

  • Over the next several years, more school counselors and advisors will be needed to respond to students’ developmental, academic and career-planning needs.1
  • Jobs for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors are projected to grow 18% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.2
  • Community health workers could take advantage of around 8,000 job openings each year, on average, from 2022 to 2032.3

A Career-Focused Curriculum to Fit Your Goals

Choose a concentration that aligns with your career path and get the support needed to excel in your clinical work. The program prepares you for the National Counselor Exam (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE).*

Online | CACREP Accredited | Cohort Model

Help clients address issues that interfere with their daily lives.

Course Topics:
– Foundations and Ethical Issues in Community Mental Health
– Program Planning, Consulting and Supervision

Online | CACREP Accredited | Cohort Model

Provide P-12 students with support for academic, career and personal growth.

Course Topics:
– Foundations and Ethical Issues in School Counseling
– School Planning, Consulting, and Supervision

Discover What Makes Winthrop’s Programs More Impactful

Seek your online master’s degree with Winthrop and experience the same rigorous curricula as you would in an on-campus program. Take classes in the format that fits your schedule and get the support to succeed by engaging with our dedicated faculty and your classmates. Many of our programs bolster the coursework with hands-on learning through internships, practica, interactive assignments and capstone projects.

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The Values, Education and Experience That Matter to Your Future

Founded in 1886, Winthrop University provides a distinct, value-oriented education that enables students to thrive in the 21st century. Here, you’ll discover how our commitment to service, excellence, diversity, community and leadership provide a foundation for your professional and personal development, putting you on track for long-term success.

Winthrop is a public, comprehensive university committed to excellence, ranking among the top institutions of our kind in the nation. With our highly qualified faculty and high-quality curricula, we attract a diverse student population dedicated to achievement and social responsibility.

About Our Counseling and Development Courses

Core courses in the online M.Ed. program explore topics in counseling theories and skills. You’ll become familiar with grief counseling, group counseling, family counseling, and more. Infuse your degree with real-world experience by completing 600 hours in internships and 175 hours in practicums within your chosen concentration and under close faculty supervision.

Bring Value to Schools and Communities

Help others realize their best selves and overcome mental health challenges. Be ready to support students, teachers, and individuals within a counseling role, some of which are expected to see up to 18% growth between 2022-2032.1

Top Paying Careers in Counseling

  1. School and career counselors: $60,140 per year1
  2. Substance abuse counselor: $49,710 per year2
  3. Community health worker: $46,190 per year3
  4. Clinical social worker: $55,350 per year4
  5. Marriage and family therapist: $56,570 per year5

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Sources and Disclaimer

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “School and Career Counselors and Advisors.” Retrieved Feb. 4, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.” Retrieved Feb. 4, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Community Health Workers.” Retrieved Feb. 4, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Social Workers.” Retrieved Feb. 4, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Marriage and Family Therapists.” Retrieved Feb. 4, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/.

*Professional Licensure Disclosure:
Requirements for professional licensure in counseling vary from state to state. Winthrop’s School Counseling program is designed to meet SC and NC licensure requirements for school counseling and may not meet requirements from other states. We are unable to make a determination about whether or not our program will lead to licensure in other states. Before beginning any academic program that leads to licensure, we strongly recommend you contact the state licensing board where you wish to seek licensure to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s licensing requirements.