Assumption University Online Counseling Programs
Assumption University offers online graduate programs in counseling through its School of Graduate Studies in the Department of Health and Human Services. These include a 60-credit master of arts (MA) program in rehabilitation counseling and a 60-credit master of arts (MA) program in school counseling.
These programs prepare students for certifications like certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC), national certified counselor (NCC), Massachusetts school counselor licensure (all levels), and school adjustment counselor or school social worker licensure.
All programs emphasize practical training through practicum and internship experiences in local settings, with online students arranging placements locally and receiving support from coordinators. They feature small classes, primarily asynchronous delivery with some synchronous elements, and a focus on ethical practice, cultural responsiveness, evidence-based interventions, and real-world skills like counseling, assessment, case management, and advocacy. Students must pass a comprehensive oral exam for graduation.
The MA in rehabilitation counseling provides a CACREP-accredited path to CRC certification, training students in medical or psychiatric rehabilitation, vocational assessment, job placement, disability management, assistive technology, and consumer advocacy. Key courses include foundations of the rehabilitation counseling profession; introduction to medical rehabilitation; occupational analysis, career development theory, and job placement strategies; rehabilitation research and program evaluation; practicum experience and counseling/ethics seminar; and internship and internship seminar I & II. The 60-credit online program can be completed in eight semesters, includes two five-day summer on-campus residencies, and offers electives in areas like addictions or veterans.
The MA in school counseling prepares students for Massachusetts initial licensure (all levels) via two tracks: school counseling (focusing on academic, career, and social-emotional support) or school adjustment counselors or school social workers (emphasizing mental health via MTSS, collaboration with families or agencies, and individual or group counseling). Approved with Distinction by DESE, it trains for NASDTEC reciprocity and NCC or NCSC certification.
Key shared courses include fundamentals of school counseling; counseling theories, principles, & practices; cultural responsiveness in counseling; and group counseling & leadership. Track-specific ones cover vocational, career & college counseling or introduction to principles and practices of school adjustment counselors/school social workers. The synchronous online program includes 100 hours of pre-practicum, 600 hours of practicum school counseling, or 900 hours for the adjustment track over two semesters, and requires MTEL or Praxis exams.
Admission to all programs uses a holistic review without requiring GRE, GMAT, or MTEL scores. MA programs need a graduate application, three professional letters of recommendation, official transcripts, a personal statement, a current resume, TOEFL or IELTS test scores if English is the native language, and an interview with faculty. A 3.0 GPA is preferred, but 2.75 or higher is considered, with conditional acceptance possible for those who have a GPA between 2.5 and 2.74 based on their full application.
Assumption University is a private Catholic university located in Worcester, Massachusetts, United States. It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The rehabilitation counseling program holds CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accreditation. The school counseling program is approved with distinction by Massachusetts DESE for initial licensure (all levels) as a school counselor, school adjustment counselor, or school social worker.
When you click on a sponsoring school or program advertised on our site, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
MA – Rehabilitation Counseling
MA – School Counseling
500 Salisbury StreetWorcester, Massachusetts
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Rehabilitation Counseling
No
2 – One 5-day on-campus session will take place during each of two summer semesters. This residency week will always begin on the third Monday of June.
60
Fall, Spring, Summer
Complete in as few as 2.5 to 3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
2.75
CA
Program Tuition
60
$880.00
$52,800.00
$880.00
$52,800.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
60
Fall, Spring, Summer
Complete in as few as 2 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
Not specified
CA
Program Tuition
60
$710.00
$42,600.00
$710.00
$42,600.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.