Buena Vista University Online Master’s in Counseling Programs
Buena Vista University offers online master of science in education counseling programs in clinical mental health counseling and professional school counseling. Both combine online coursework with virtual sessions and a four-day, in-person summer residency on the Storm Lake, Iowa, campus to build real-world counseling skills.
Both programs emphasize ethical, culturally competent, and trauma-informed practice grounded in national counseling standards. Courses develop skills in human development, counseling theories, group counseling, assessment, research, and advanced intervention, with supervised practicum and internship experiences that let students “hit the ground running” in the field. Each program is designed so that most learning can be done while continuing to work, using short-term, online platforms, and an annual residency for face-to-face training.
The MSEd in clinical mental health counseling is a 60-credit, CACREP-accredited program that can be completed in as little as two years. Students complete online coursework through Canvas, biweekly live video classes during practicum and internship, and two four-day summer residencies. Key courses include assessment and appraisal techniques; theories of counseling; trauma-informed counseling and crisis interventions; and diagnosis and treatment planning, along with multiple supervised practicums and internships in mental health counseling. Students must pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) before beginning internship and are prepared for Iowa professional licensure and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination.
The MSEd in professional school counseling is a 48-credit program designed to prepare K–12 school counselors in line with Iowa licensure requirements and the American School Counselor Association model. It uses online 7.5‑week terms with one weekly virtual class and an annual four-day residency in Storm Lake.
Courses include counseling children and adolescents; program evaluation and consultation in counseling; psychopathology and psychological disorders; and supervised practicum and internships in school counseling at elementary and secondary levels. The degree can be completed in about two years through evening, summer, and online coursework, with supervised field experiences integrated into school settings.
Admission to both counseling programs requires a regionally accredited bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree completed before summer courses, a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts from all prior institutions, a written essay or personal statement, and a graduate interview. Applicants also need access to required technology, and final acceptance is determined by the counseling admissions committee.
Buena Vista University is a private university in Storm Lake, Iowa, and has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1927. The clinical mental health counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), while the professional school counseling program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and approved by the Iowa Department of Education.
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M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
M.S.Ed. in Professional School Counseling
610 West 4th St.Storm Lake, Iowa
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No
2 – One visit each during the first and second summers of enrollment
60
August, January, May
Can be completed in as little as 24 months
Program Admissions
No GRE required
Not specified
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$495.00
$29,700.00
$495.00
$29,700.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
No
2 – One visit each during the first and second summers of enrollment
48
August, October, January, March, May, July
Can be completed in as little as 24 months
Program Admissions
No GRE required
Not specified
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
48
$495.00
$23,760.00
$495.00
$23,760.00
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.