Tennessee spans the Mississippi River delta from the west, rolling hills in Middle Tennessee, and the Great Smoky Mountains to the east. The population of elementary to high school students and the variety of school choices are as diverse as its landscape Though over 900,000 students are served statewide across 147 public school districts in urban, rural, and suburban settings, Tennessee families may also choose to enroll their children in charter, private, and virtual schooling options. As students and families adjust to evolving challenges, Tennessee estimates a 19% projected job growth for school counselors into 2032, higher than the national projection for this profession.
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School counselors play an integral role in Tennessee’s K-12 schools. By providing direct student services, and collaborating with families, administrators, teachers, and other support personnel, school counselors oversee academic, social-emotional, and career and college development programming. In addressing the broad range and scope of the profession, these programs prepare future school counselors to serve students, schools, and communities throughout Tennessee.
Master’s Programs in Tennessee to Become a School Counselor
Like their K-12 school counterparts, Tennessee colleges and universities range from bustling urban research centers to rural, land-grant institutions and private religious-affiliated schools. Seventeen graduate programs equip future school counselors with the tools to support students of all grade levels. If you are interested in joining this dynamic field, Tennessee has multiple options to further your career:
Freed-Hardeman University
- Henderson, TN
- 37 hours
- Hybrid
City: Henderson
Modality: Hybrid
Degree: MS
Length: 37 hours
Tuition: $8,160 per semester
Program Overview:
Requiring 37 hours to complete, Freed-Hardeman offers a faster track to a Master’s degree in school counseling. Henderson, within 2 driving hours from Memphis, is near the growing city of Jackson. A predominantly hybrid delivery with several weekends on ground, this program is flexible for working students, who can learn core school counseling competencies through a faith-based lens.
Lee University
- Cleveland, TN
- 60 hours
- In-person
City: Cleveland
Modality: In-person
Degree: MS
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: $9,045 per semester
Program Overview:
Lee University’s Master’s School Counseling program curriculum is based on the American School Counseling Association’s model. Located in Southeast Tennessee, Lee’s graduates are prepared to work in elementary, middle, and high school settings.
Milligan College
- Milligan, TN
- 48-54 hours
- Hybrid
City: Milligan
Modality: Hybrid
Degree: MS
Length: 54 hours; 48 hours for licensed teachers
Tuition: $4,725 per semester
Program Overview:
Located in northeast Tennessee, Milligan College’s school counseling program has a 100% employment rate post-graduation. CAEP-accredited, the hybrid format is ideal for working professionals hoping to advance their careers. A GRE score is required if an applicant’s GPA is below 3.0.
Tennessee Tech University
- Cookeville, TN
- 60 hours
- Hybrid
City: Cookeville
Modality: Hybrid
Degree: MS
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: In-state $5,643 per semester; Out-of-state $6,903 per semester
Program Overview:
Tennessee Tech University’s CACREP-accredited school counseling program is designed to help students meet state licensure requirements. Their program identifies professionalism and ethics as core values and is praised by recent graduates for quality instruction and field experiences.
Online School Counseling Master’s Programs in Tennessee
Online programs have increased in popularity over the past several years, especially with students who want flexible schedules. Three institutions in Tennessee offer fully online school counseling Master’s programs.
Belmont University
- Nashville, TN
- 60 hours
- Online
City: Nashville
Modality: Online
Degree: MA
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: $14,355 per semester
Program Overview:
Belmont University is a vibrant and growing presence in Nashville’s higher education community. A private, non-denominational Christian school, Belmont’s fully online school counseling program utilizes a holistic and faith-based approach to educating its counselors.
Southern Adventist University
- Collegedale, TN
- 60 hours
- Online
City: Collegedale
Modality: Online
Degree: MS
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: $6,840 per semester
Program Overview:
Southern Adventist University, affiliated with the Seventh Day Adventist Church, offers a fully online, synchronous, and CACREP-accredited school counseling graduate program. In addition to a dual track option with clinical mental health, Southern Adventist’s curriculum offers innovative courses exploring family and generational influences.
University of Tennessee Martin
- Martin, TN
- 60 hours
- Online
City: Martin
Modality: Online
Degree: MSEd
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: In-state $5,698; Out-of-state
Program Overview:
University of Tennessee Martin’s fully online, CACREP-accredited program offers coursework preparing students in technical areas such as behavior interventions and classroom management. With a 12:1 teacher-student ratio, UTM’s school counseling program has a 100% pass rate for the state licensure exam.
CACREP Accredited School Counseling Master’s Programs in Tennessee
CACREP-accredited programs (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) have met established standards set by the independent institution and are known for providing quality instruction, curricula, and professional advocacy. Tennessee has 14 CACREP-accredited school counseling programs, including four that don’t require a GRE for admission:
Austin Peay State University
- Clarksville, TN
- 60 hours
- In-person
City: Clarksville
Modality: In Person
Degree: MS
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: In-state $4,392 per semester; Out-of-state $7,764 per semester
Program Overview:
Located in growing and affordable Clarksville, Austin Peay State University’s school counseling program offers a dual track option with the clinical mental health concentration, fulfilling requirements for both clinical and school licensure. Twelve hours of undergraduate psychology courses are prerequisites for application.
Carson-Newman University
- Jefferson City, TN
- 60 hours
- Hybrid
City: Jefferson City
Modality: Hybrid
Degree: MS
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: $4,275 per semester
Program Overview:
Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, Carson-Newman University is a liberal arts school affiliated with the Baptist Church. Boasting a job placement rate of 100% for counseling program graduates, Carson-Newman offers an MS school counseling degree; a dual-degree program is optional for students who pursue clinical mental health and school counseling coursework concurrently.
East Tennessee State University
- Johnson City, TN
- 60 hours
- In-person
City: Johnson City
Modality: In person
Degree: MA
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: In-state $5,683 per semester; Out-of-state $13,423 per semester
Program Overview:
East Tennessee State University’s school counseling graduate program prepares students through counseling theory and practical skills application. The program has a 100% post-graduation job placement rate. Applicants whose GPAs are below 3.0 are required to submit GRE scores.
Johnson University
- Knoxville, TN
- 63 hours
- Hybrid
City: Knoxville
Modality: Hybrid
Degree: MA
Length: 63 hours
Tuition: $5,490 per semester
Program Overview:
Johnson University, affiliated with the Church of Christ, is located in a rural setting near the bustling city core of Knoxville. With a 12:1 student-teacher ratio, school counseling students can choose a dual track and take coursework in clinical mental health counseling. The program emphasizes service and engagement in diverse settings.
Lipscomb University
- Nashville, TN
- 44 hours
- Hybrid
City: Nashville
Modality: Hybrid
Degree: MS
Length: 44 hours
Tuition: $8,577 per semester
Program Overview:
The recipient of a 2023 Department of Education grant to train future school counselors in Nashville and surrounding areas, Lipscomb University’s College of Education combines practice and policy. Through innovative partnerships and pipeline programs, the school counseling program offers two degrees, an MS or an EdS, which requires the completion of a capstone project.
Lincoln Memorial University
- Harrogate, TN
- 60 hours
- Hybrid
City: Harrogate
Modality: Hybrid
Degree: MEd
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: $4,410 per semester
Program Overview:
Lincoln Memorial University is a private, independent school located near the border of Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky. With a 9:1 student-teacher ratio, the school counseling program boasts a 100% licensure pass rate and a 100% job placement rate post-graduation. Admission into the program requires submission of one of the following: GRE, Miller Analogies Test, or Praxis teaching scores.
No GRE Required Master’s in School Counseling Programs in Tennessee
Not a strong standardized test taker? The following schools in Tennessee do not require a GRE for acceptance into their school counseling Master’s programs, all of which are CACREP-accredited. Check the admissions requirements for the following programs:
University of Memphis
- Memphis, TN
- 60 hours
- In-person
City: Memphis
Modality: In person
Degree: MS
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: In-state $5,814; Out-of-state $6,903
Program Overview:
The University of Memphis’ school counseling graduate program, which is CACREP-accredited, places emphasis on developing multicultural competence and addressing current challenges in education. The curriculum explores topics such as closing the achievement gap and supporting special populations, two issues relevant to the diverse and dynamic city of Memphis.
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
- Chattanooga, TN
- 60 hours
- Hybrid
City: Chattanooga
Modality: Hybrid
Degree: MEd
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: In-state $5,555; Out-of-state $9,587
Program Overview:
The CACREP-accredited Counselor Education program prepares future school counselors through challenging coursework and fulfilling field experiences in Chattanooga. The hybrid program includes independent reading, research, and both instructor and student-led presentations.
University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Knoxville, TN
- 60 hours
- In-person
City: Knoxville
Modality: In-person
Degree: MS
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: In-state $6,860; Out-of-state $16,104
Program Overview:
Knoxville, the mountainous backdrop for the University of Tennessee system’s flagship institution, offers school counseling graduate students with several options for field placement. As counselor-advocate-scholars, students can choose rural Appalachia, suburban, or urban schools to fulfill field requirements for UTK’s CACREP-accredited program.
Vanderbilt University
- Nashville, TN
- 60 hours
- In-person
City: Nashville
Modality: In-person
Degree: MEd
Length: 60 hours
Tuition: $20,916 per semester
Program Overview:
Located in Nashville, Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education boasts a rigorous, CACREP-accredited school counseling program focusing on human development and emotional well-being. The on-ground delivery prepares graduates to work in a variety of school environments.
Tennessee’s Most Affordable School Counseling Master’s Programs
Are you looking for an affordable option to earn your Master’s in School Counseling? At $488 per credit hour, Austin Peay University is the most affordable option for Tennessee residents. Carson-Newman University’s school counseling program is $530 per credit hour, making this an attractive option for out-of-state applicants.
Accelerated Master’s in School Counseling Programs in Tennessee
Though there are no designated accelerated master’s programs for school counseling in Tennessee, several programs offer a quicker path to a degree and licensure, making this an attractive option for working professionals. With fewer required hours, Freed-Hardeman University (37 hours) and Lipscomb University (44 hours) offer coursework grounded in general counseling and school-specific practice; Carson-Newman University and Milligan College’s programs also require fewer than 60 credit hours to graduate.
FAQ
How much money does a school counselor earn in Tennessee?
Factors such as degree, years of professional experience, and school district can significantly influence a school counselor’s salary. The range in salary is between $33,000 to nearly $70,000 annually, with an average of $49,000.
How long does it take to become a school counselor in Tennessee?
Most of the school counseling graduate programs in Tennessee require 60 credit hours to complete, though there are several programs with fewer hours. Included in this total are fieldwork experiences. Students typically take anywhere between 2-3 years to complete a graduate program, depending on the number of credit hours taken per semester.
What is the best school counseling program in Tennessee?
Students looking for highly-rated school counseling Master’s programs have many choices in Tennessee. If you are looking for an accredited and dynamic program which consistently exceeds expectations, Lipscomb University may be for you. Their College of Education has been recognized as the most effective educator preparation program in Tennessee. This designation, its 44-hour credit requirement, and the 2023 federal Department of Education grant to train future school counselors in Middle Tennessee makes Lipscomb University an attractive option for school counseling students.
EdS in School Counseling Programs in Tennessee
Education Specialist degrees (EdS) in the field of school counseling are offered by several graduate programs in Tennessee. Between a Master’s degree and PhD, EdS School Counseling degrees are earned through completing required coursework and additional, specialized courses or projects. Though Carson-Newman University, Lipscomb University, and Tennessee Tech offer opportunities to earn an EdS, Middle Tennessee State University is the only institution in Tennessee to offer exclusively an EdS degree in School Counseling.
Middle Tennessee State University
- Murfreesboro, TN
- 61 hours
- In person
City: Murfreesboro
Modality: In person
Degree: EdS
Length: 61 hours
Tuition: In-state $5,859 per semester; Out-of-state $14,850 per semester
Program Overview:
Murfreesboro, a suburb of Nashville, is experiencing an increased need for school personnel to address its growing population. MTSU’s school counseling EdS program, delivered on-ground, seeks students interested in exploring social justice and equity in the education system. Applicants must submit a GRE or Millers Analogies Test score with their application.
