Northwestern invites students from all backgrounds and experiences who share the same goal: to advance as mental health professionals while assisting people in their communities to attain mental well-being.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has certified this program. It takes place both on campus and online, providing students from all over the country with the tools they need to launch successful careers as counsellors. The numbers below represent all students enrolled in the program for the 2024/2025 academic year.
Northwestern University Online Counseling Degree
Northwestern University’s Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies provides an online Master of Arts in Counseling program with an optional specialization in child and adolescent counselling.
The degree is available in two options: a Standard Program for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in counselling and previous counselling experience, and a Bridge to Counseling Program for those with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline but no prior counselling experience.
The degree program combines synchronous online weekly class sessions, online roundtable discussions, online face-to-face study sessions, immersions, practicums, and internships to provide a hands-on, personalized learning experience.
Counselling at Northwestern focuses on creating each student’s counselling identity. This emphasis assists students in completely understanding themselves and how their experiences and difficulties may impact the counselling interaction.
The curriculum includes two distinct experiences for self-reflection. During the practicum year, students engage in reflective practitioner supervision, which involves weekly meetings with two to four peers and a supervisor to reflect on their own experiences, personalities, and prejudices.
During their internship year, students participate in the Psychodynamic Case Conference Experience, where they meet with a supervisor to explore difficult cases, and the psychodynamic viewpoint, and address areas of concern as future counsellors.
Students in the Bridge to Counseling program must also complete the following courses: Introduction to Clinical Practice, Introduction to Clinical Interviewing, and Current Topics in Counseling. California citizens can only enrol in the conventional or part-time routes owing to state practicum restrictions.
Northwestern University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Counseling@Northwestern is approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Northwestern University
Programs: Online MA in Counseling
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
Online MA in Counseling
Program Highlights
A main focus of the program is developing each student’s counselling identity, which helps students fully understand themselves and how their experiences and issues can affect the counselling relationship
During the two in-person immersions in Chicago, students develop their counsellor identity and interact with peers and faculty
A combination of synchronous online weekly class sessions, roundtable discussions, study sessions, immersions, practicums, and internships create a hands-on, personal learning experience
Program Overview
Program Structure: Online instruction with two required campus immersions, plus practicums and internships
Example Courses: Counseling Methods: Skills for Counseling and Psychotherapy; Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy; Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling; Assessment of Counseling (Adult/Child);
Counselling Methods: Outreach, Prevention & Advocacy
Instruction Methods: Courses are delivered synchronously with weekly online class sessions, roundtable discussions, study sessions, immersions, and sometimes with asynchronous components; students also complete a practicum and internships
Degree Requirements
Credits Required: 24 credits needed to graduate
Campus Visits Required: 2
Program Options
Program Start Dates: Four starts per year: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms
Curriculum Options: Accelerated Full-time, Traditional Full-time, or Part-time
Length of Program: The program can be completed in 6 quarters accelerated full-time, 9 quarters traditional, 12 quarters part-time
Admission Requirements and Tuition Costs
GPA Requirements: No minimum GPA is specified
Testing Requirements: No GRE required
Work Experience: The Standard Program is designed for students with counselling experienceTuition Costs: ~$120,120 + fees
Cost per Credit Hour: $5,005
Online MA in Counseling – Child and Adolescent Emphasis
Program Highlights
Two specific experiences for self-reflection are included in the program: a practicum and an internship
The program also includes two in-person immersions in Chicago, where students further develop their counselor identity, and interact with peers and faculty Immersions are Group Dynamics and a Capstone Immersion Experience
Child and Adolescent Counseling graduates take the same number of credits as the main degree and are fully prepared to counsel child, adolescent, and adult populations
Program Overview
Program Structure: Online instruction with two required campus immersions, plus practicums and internships
Example Courses: Human Growth and Development (Child and Adolescent Focus); Child and Adolescent Counseling and Psychotherapy; Counseling Methods: Skills for Counseling and Psychotherapy; Theories of Counseling & Psychotherapy; Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
Instruction Methods: Courses are delivered synchronously with weekly online class sessions, roundtable discussions, study sessions, immersions, and sometimes with asynchronous components; students also complete a practicum and internships
Degree Requirements
Credits Required: 24 credits needed to graduate
Campus Visits Required: 2
Program Options
Program Start Dates: Four starts per year: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms
Curriculum Options: Accelerated Full-time, Traditional Full-time, or Part-time
Length of Program: The program can be completed in 6 quarters accelerated full-time, 9 quarters traditional, 12 quarters part-time
Admission Requirements and Tuition Costs
GPA Requirements: No minimum GPA is specified
Testing Requirements: No GRE required
Work Experience: The Standard Program is designed for students with counselling experience
Tuition Costs: ~$120,120 + fees
Cost per Credit Hour: $5,005
Conclusion
The Counseling at Northwestern Standard Program consists of 24 courses, each worth one credit. The Bridge to Counseling curriculum adds three courses to the curriculum, for a total of 27 credits.
Cohorts start in January, April, June, and September. Students can choose from three study paths: accelerated full-time, conventional, or part-time.
The Standard Program completion times are as follows: six quarters for accelerated full-time, nine quarters for traditional, and 12 quarters for part-time students. Regardless of the academic route, the Bridge to Counseling Program adds one-quarter.
