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Eastern Illinois University

School Counseling

We offer facilties and research-based training for Masters level professional counselors. The cohort model provides ongoing support and connections amovng students for a close-knit feel. The Department has an outstanding,caring, and accessible faculty composed of individuals who ar extensively qualified as instructors and have impressive experience in the field to give you a well-rounded, practical educaitonal experience.

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School Counseling

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Degree Level
Master of Science
Delivery
In Person
Time to Degree
6 Semesters
Credit Hours
60 Total, 60 in Major
Careers
Counselors, Guidance,, Advisors

Why Study School Counseling at EIU?

  • Learn through hands-on, project-based coursework.
  • Engage in counseling settings for practice and experience.
  • Prepare in real-world settings to serve clients.
"I chose EIU again for my graduate degree primarily because of the CACREP Accredited Counseling program where I have been able to work towards dual-licensure in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I was also offered a GA after accepting a spot on the school track with the Freshman Connection program that is well-known on campus. ... EIU has been my home since 2020 and I will forever be grateful for the growth and opportunities that came from both of my degrees."
Serena Voss
Master of Science in Counseling - School | Class of 2026
Serena Voss, Master of Science in Counseling - School at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Collaborative learning experiences.
  • Required internships and applied work.
Hands-On Experience, School Counseling students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The School Counseling prepares you for certification as a School Counselor in Illinois (Professional Educator License). It is a fit if you want to support students' academic, career and personal growth in schools.

View in Catalog
$51,527
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Mental Health Counselors
  • Educational, Guidance, & Career…

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Bright OutlookBright Outlook careers are ones with a promising future. They're expected to grow quickly, to have lots of job openings, or to be brand new and emerging. A career earns the label if it meets any one of these: projected growth of 5% or more, at least 75,000 projected openings, or New & Emerging status.
Grow Rapidly: Jobs in this career are expected to grow 5% or more over the next several years, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Grow Rapidly
Preparation Needed Extensive (5/5)Job Zone 5: Extensive preparationMost of these careers require graduate school, and many also call for more than five years of experience.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit SocialSocial interest typeYou like helping people. This work centers on supporting others by helping, teaching, advising or serving them.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Financing Your Degree Under the 2026 Rules

Federal graduate lending changed on July 1, 2026 - Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers and new federal borrowing caps now apply to graduate students. Here's why the math still works at EIU:

Estimated total for this degree: ~$30,300 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 30% of the new $100,000 lifetime graduate borrowing limit - leaving room for whatever comes next in your career.
  • ✓ A typical full-time year here runs about $9,090 - well under the new $20,500 annual federal loan limit. Annual limits are reduced in proportion for part-time enrollment.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education.

Estimates use 2026-2027 Illinois-resident tuition and fees and typical full-time enrollment. Your actual costs and aid depend on your program, enrollment, FAFSA, and prior borrowing. Students who borrowed for the same program before July 1, 2026 may have different limits.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid → Read about the 2026 federal aid changes
30% of lifetime limit

$30,300 total, just 30% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Danessa Carter
Counseling Program Director & Associate Professor
dacarter3@eiu.edu
2104 Buzzard Hall
Danessa Carter Message Danessa

Message Danessa

or email dacarter3@eiu.edu directly
Heidi Larson
School Counseling Graduate Coordinator, Professor
halarson@eiu.edu
2114 Buzzard Hall
Heidi Larson Message Heidi

Message Heidi

or email halarson@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

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