Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in Educational Counseling and Embedded School Counseling Credential
Lead with compassion and insight through Azusa Pacific University’s Master of Arts in Education in Educational Counseling.
Why Earn Your MAEd in Educational Counseling at APU?
Our MAEd in Educational Counseling program emphasizes hands-on experience and in-depth clinical training to sharpen your skills in problem-solving, crisis response, and student advocacy. In addition to your master’s degree, you earn the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential in School Counseling, which seamlessly integrates your training into the optional Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) pathway.
Over the course of our two-year program, you strengthen and refine your school counseling competencies through
- a rigorous study of practical techniques and counseling strategies rooted in an evidence-based and Christian framework;
- transformative fieldwork and internship experiences that turn theory into practical knowledge;
- guidance and mentorships from practicing school counselors; and
- an efficient pathway that aligns with credentialing requirements to accelerate your career.
Start Your Program This Summer
If you take advantage of APU’s Graduate Plus Loan, you can start on May 4 or June 29 of this summer! Apply now and ask your admissions representative for details.
Program at a Glance
Encourage and empower students to be who God made them to be. APU’s Department of School Counseling and School Psychology emphasizes purpose-filled leadership and connects you with other education professionals ready to serve their communities.
Upcoming Events
Virtual Information Session- Wednesday, March 11, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 8, 4-6 p.m.
Application Deadline
Apply anytime! We accept and review applications on an ongoing basis and fill seats as they open each term.
Program Information
- Program Units: 50
- Cost per Unit: $815
- Base Cost: $40,750*
Location
- Azusa (Main Campus)
- Murrieta
- Orange County
APU Ranked Among Best Grad Schools by Money
Azusa Pacific University was ranked in Money’s Best Graduate School Programs 2025 for education and nursing, focusing on affordability, value, and return on investment.
What You’ll Learn
APU’s MAEd in Educational Counseling program integrates rigorous coursework, clinical training, and real-world field placements and internships to prepare you for meaningful work as a school counselor. You gain the skills to support students from all backgrounds with their academic, social, emotional, and developmental needs.
Each class within our 50-unit curriculum builds practical expertise while grounding your work in ethical leadership and Christ-centered service. You learn how to
- apply evidence-backed counseling theories, techniques, and interventions to serve students;
- respond effectively to crisis and trauma using culturally responsive counseling strategies that support prevention, intervention, and postvention in diverse academic settings;
- assess student growth and development by understanding the biological, psychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors that shape learning;
- promote positive behavior, social-emotional skills, and learning environments through classroom and school-wide support; and
- collaborate with families, educators, and communities to strengthen student outcomes and overall education from birth through high school.
Guiding Students to a Brighter Future
Jodi Spoon-Sadlon, MA ’09, lives out her calling as a school counselor at Lisa J. Mails and Tovashal Elementary schools in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District Jodi was named Riverside County School Counselor of the Year in 2018 and featured in a film by the Riverside County Office of Education. She holds a Master’s in Education, Educational School Counseling from Azusa Pacific University.
Get Started
Program Details
Informational Meetings
Ready to explore how APU can transform your educational counseling career? Join us for an information meeting to learn more about program expectations, admission requirements, and academic support, so you can apply with confidence.
To find upcoming meeting dates, locations, or registration details, visit our event calendar or call (626) 815-5376.
MAEd Admission Requirements
As you prepare to apply to APU, our dedicated admissions team will help you navigate the process. When applying to our educational counseling master’s program, you must submit the following:
- Graduate application for admission
- $45 nonrefundable application fee
- Official transcripts from all institutions leading to and awarding your bachelor’s
degree from a regionally accredited institution and all postbaccalaureate study
- An official transcript is one that Azusa Pacific University receives unopened in an envelope sealed by the former institution and that bears the official seal of the college or university.
- A cumulative minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade-point average on the posted degree is required for regular admission status. Provisional admittance may be granted to individuals with a lower GPA if competency can be shown through multiple measures.
- Two letters of recommendation that assess your competence and character
- Appropriate recommendations include an employer who directly supervised you, or one faculty/academic reference. References from neighbors, friends, and relatives are not appropriate unless they have served as supervisors. Additional letters are optional.
- Résumé (preferred) or statement of experience, including your most relevant work and volunteer experience
- A 5-page essay or autobiography describing personal and professional history
- Proof of Certificate of Clearance (COC)
- Applicants for summer or fall terms must have a COC valid through January 31. Applicants for the spring term must have a COC valid through June 30. Review instructions on Obtaining a Certificate of Clearance (PDF). Applicants are encouraged to begin this step as soon as possible to allow time for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to process your information.
- Proof that the Basic Skills Requirement has been satisfied
Send official transcripts to:
Office of Graduate and Professional AdmissionsAzusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
[email protected]
How to Apply to Azusa Pacific
Ready to apply to APU? Watch our helpful how-to video to learn more about the process. Get started today!
Next Steps
After all admission materials have been received, the faculty or department chair reviews your application and issues a written admission decision.
International Admission Requirements
Azusa Pacific University is authorized under federal law by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State to enroll nonimmigrant, alien undergraduate and graduate students. APU issues and administers the I-20 and DS 2019 (F-1 and J-1 status documents, respectively).
Along with meeting the standard admission requirements, if you are an international applicant you must also:
- demonstrate proficiency in English through a placement test with the Academic Success Center, or through a TOEFL/IELTS score that meets program-specific requirements. Review APU’s English proficiency requirements to learn more.
Request that official test scores be sent to APU. All other forms of proof indicated in the English proficiency requirements must be submitted directly to International Services; - provide a Graduate Affidavit of Financial Support and a bank statement from within the last six months, proving financial ability to pay for education costs through personal, family, or sponsor resources;
- submit a copy of a valid passport showing biographical data, including your name, country of citizenship, date of birth, and other legal information; and
- get foreign transcripts evaluated. International credentials (transcripts, certificates, diplomas, and degrees) must be evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation agency. Review our policy and a list of approved foreign transcript evaluation agencies.
Master’s in Educational Counseling Program Tuition
| Cost | |
|---|---|
|
Education master’s degree in school counseling and school psychology programs (per unit) |
$815 |
| Audit (per unit) | half-price tuition |
|
Intent to Commence and/or Graduate Fee |
$100 |
| Base Cost | $40,750 |
Note: This information is current for the 2026-27 academic year, but all stated academic information is subject to change.
*Base Cost (cost per unit x program units) is provided to aid in program comparison only.
Financial Aid
Discover affordable Christian education at Azusa Pacific University. To lower the cost of your educational counseling graduate program, you have access to a range of financial aid opportunities, including federal loans, state grants, fellowships, and scholarships. Availability varies by program, and a dedicated admissions advisor can help you understand your options and plan with confidence.
APU also provides information on numerous financial aid resources for prospective students in the School of Education. Discover more available scholarship opportunities.
For more information, contact the Student Services Center at (626) 815-2020.
Military and Veterans Benefits
If you are a veteran, serve in the military, or qualify as a spouse or dependent, you may access financial assistance that helps cover the cost of tuition, housing, and books. As a Yellow Ribbon and Military Friendly School, APU offers the support and flexibility needed to help you complete your master’s degree in educational counseling.
APU Alumni Tuition Discounts
Continue your journey at APU and build on the foundation you’ve already established. APU’s School of Education offers a tuition discount for Azusa Pacific alumni starting a graduate program.
You must be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory academic progress with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0. You must be enrolled at least half-time.
If you meet the qualifications, your discount may be renewed each term. APU will pay $500 per term (up to $2,000 over the course of the program). This discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid.
Notes on Eligibility: The School of Education’s doctoral program (EdD in Educational Leadership) is not eligible for the alumni tuition discount. APU doctoral alumni are also not eligible for the School of Education alumni discount. Additionally, the alumni discount cannot be combined with other institutional aid, such as School of Education scholarships. If you qualify for both, you may choose to receive either the alumni discount or an APU scholarship.
Students participate in live, scheduled online classes alongside other students (synchronous learning), rather than self-paced coursework.
Each semester includes one required in-person Saturday session, designed for hands-on learning, connection, and cohort formation.
This format balances flexibility with real-time engagement and community. It’s all about convenience with connection!
If you have questions, we’re here to help! Connect with a representative who can walk you through the program details and application process.
Additional Program Contacts
- Michael Salce, EdD, Department of School Counseling and School Psychology Department Chair, [email protected], (626) 815-5130
- School Counseling Email - [email protected]
Phone
(626) 815-5424
Azusa Pacific University
PO Box 7000
Azusa, CA 91702-7000
Student Services Center
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (626) 812-3016
For details on the admissions process, financial aid, and class registration, visit apu.edu/ssc/.
International Services
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (626) 812-3055
Visit apu.edu/international/.
At APU, we deliver the highest quality education, backed by respected accreditation and academic excellence:
- Azusa Pacific University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
- The School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), making APU one of only three universities in California with this distinction.
By the Numbers
Career Outlook for School Counselors
Create safe, supportive learning environments as a school or educational counselor. With the comprehensive clinical preparation you gain through our MAEd program, you’re equipped to evaluate student needs, cultivate well-being, and invest in their long-term academic and personal success.
Our educational counseling alumni, grounded in faith and trained to deliver evidence-based care, have gone on to serve students at Southern California schools such as:
How APU Alumni Guide Students to a Brighter Future
Watch how APU alumna Jodi Spoon-Sadlon, MAEd in Educational Counseling ’09, lives out her calling as a school counselor—and why her work earned her the title of Riverside County School Counselor of the Year.
Department of School Counseling and School Psychology Faculty
Discover a community of school counseling experts who invest in your success. At APU, faculty bring years of real-world experience and a passion for mentorship that strengthens your skills and ignites your sense of purpose.
Michelle Cox
Director, School Counseling Program; Professor, Department of School Counseling and School Psychology
Roberta Alba
Assistant Professor, Department of School Counseling and School Psychology
Embrace God’s Calling to Help Others Thrive
Earn your Master of Arts in Education in Educational Counseling in just two years and make a lasting impact on the lives of students. Through your real-world training and practice-driven coursework, you build a diverse skill set to implement effective counseling strategies and interventions, assess student progress, and advocate for their well-being and success.
Begin your journey to Azusa Pacific University today!
Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling FAQs
Full-time students in the master’s in educational counseling program take 6 units every eight weeks, but many candidates are working adults and do not take classes full-time. Academic advising is highly recommended to determine the appropriate course load.
Have more questions? Connect with APU’s academic advisors.
A term consists of two eight-week sessions, including final exams. Most classes are offered in accelerated eight-week sessions.
For more information, review our academic calendar.