Join a growing field of counseling professionals

The need for counselors in the United States continues to rise, with a 10-22% increase in demand from 2021-2031, depending on the job title, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. UNK’s programs are designed to help you fill this ever-increasing need, pairing seasoned instruction with assignments that give you the tools you need to succeed in the field. UNK’s department has more than 70 years of experience successfully placing students after graduation.

Choose from a variety of degrees with varying course delivery, each designed to help you receive the best educational experience. Our counseling programs offer flexible course scheduling, video conferencing, blended and online courses. Professors hold state and national credentials and have extensive clinical experience in a variety of settings. You’ll start to gain clinical experience, as well, with a state of the art, on-site clinic housed in UNK’s College of Education.

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Explore our counseling degree options:

  • Clinical Mental Health CounselingDegree: M.S.Ed. | Credit Hours: 60 (Blended Delivery)
    In-State: $337/cr | Out-of-State: $476/cr
    Gain experience and licensure for a counseling career with an M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This degree can be applied to a variety of settings, from individual counseling with all ages to group counseling in community agencies and beyond. The program offers long distance accessibility with a combination of evening/campus courses, blended/online courses, and fieldwork to prepare graduates for immediate career application.
  • School PsychologyDegree: Ed.S. | Credit Hours: 72 (On Campus)
    In-State: $ 277/cr | Out-of-State: $609/cr
    Become a school psychologist, a uniquely qualified member of your school team that supports students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach. Through this program, you’ll gain the skills you need to provide assessment, support, and intervention services to students, partner with families, teachers, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments, work with school administrators to improve school-wide policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate services for students.
  • CounselingDegree: Ed.S. | Credit Hours: 66+ (On Campus)
    In-State: $277/cr | Out-of-State: $609/cr
    The Counseling Ed. S. program is designed to provide you with knowledge and theory beyond your master's degree and below the doctorate degree. Gain the additional coursework needed for a Nebraska Department of Education endorsement (for example, School Counselor or School Psychologist) or the Nebraska Mental Health Practitioner License (LMHP) requirements.
  • School CounselingDegree: M.S.Ed. | Credit Hours: 43 (Blended Delivery)
    In-State: $337/cr | Out-of-State: $476/cr
    Shift into a career as a school counselor, with a degree available for the Elementary PK-8 or Secondary 7-12 level. Our dual program pathways provide options whether you’re coming from a teaching career or outside of the field. Either way, you will gain an understanding of guidance curriculums, individual student planning, special population needs, ethics and policies in school counseling, and intervention techniques for counseling positions in your chosen setting.
  • Higher Education Student AffairsDegree: M.S.Ed. | Credit Hours: 36 (Fully Online)
    In-State: $337/cr | Out-of-State: $476/cr
    Advance your career at your college or university with a degree in Higher Education Student Affairs. This program will teach you to identify what students need—along with the reasons behind those needs—and how to effectively guide them toward a successful and positive college experience.
  • Alcohol and Drug Counseling CertificateDegree: Graduate Certificate Program | Credit Hours: 12 (Fully Online)
    In-State: $337/cr | Out-of-State: $476/cr
    Gain the education you need for Alcohol and Drug Counselor licensure. Pair the certificate with your Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.Ed. or earn the certificate standalone as a current practicing professional to gain this specialty license.

Affordable and flexible online program

$337

In-state Tuition per credit hour

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$476

Out-of-state Tuition per credit hour

Hear from a recent graduate of the Higher Education Student Affairs M.S.Ed.:

Jennifer Bucci, a University of Nebraska at Kearney international student from Toronto, Ontario, Canada graduated in May of 2023 from the online Higher Education Student Affairs M.S.Ed. program. This is Bucci’s second master’s degree from the United States.

Jennifer Bucci

Higher Education Student Affairs M.S.Ed.

start your online degree at UNK

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