Pennsylvania Western University Online MS in Counseling Program
Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) offers online master of science programs in counseling in art therapy, clinical mental health counseling, and school counseling, along with a post-master’s counseling certificate. These programs are designed for students who want flexible graduate study in counseling and related specialties.
PennWest Global Online is built for students who need accessible learning options while still wanting a high-quality academic experience. It offers dedicated coaching support, flexible online learning, and a structure that supports academic, professional, and personal goals. The counseling programs are all offered online and are organized to help students build strong counseling knowledge, ethical practice, and professional skills.
The master of science in counseling program includes three concentrations and is intended to prepare students for counseling practice in different settings. Throughout the program, students develop the knowledge and skills needed for the profession, learn to work in diverse cultural and social contexts, and integrate theory and research with practical counseling skills. The program also emphasizes ethical behavior and self-directed professional growth.
The art therapy concentration focuses on the creative process, therapeutic artmaking, art therapy theory, and the use of human experience in the therapeutic encounter. Important courses include history and theory of counseling and consultation in art therapy; media and materials in art therapy; clinical and group art therapy; and art therapy practice and assessment. Students also complete practicum and internship requirements.
The clinical mental health counseling concentration prepares students to work with couples, individuals, groups, and families in outpatient, inpatient, agency, and other mental health-related settings. Key courses include counseling and consultation theories; group counseling and group work; ethical and legal issues in counseling; professional orientation in clinical mental health counseling; and family counseling. The program also includes practicum, clinical field, and internship experiences.
The school counseling concentration prepares students to function as effective school counselors in PK-12 settings. It focuses on developing comprehensive school counseling programs and student support services. Important courses include Professional orientation in school counseling; current issues in school counseling: evidence-based practices; child and adolescent counseling; and school counseling-related field experiences. The program also includes the PDE requirement for school counseling if a student has not taken ELL or special education as an undergraduate.
The post master’s counseling certificate is a 12-credit flexible graduate option for students who already hold a master’s degree and want licensure support, school counseling certification, or professional development. It allows students to choose counseling courses based on their needs and to complete them fully online or face-to-face at the California campus. The certificate is designed to help professionals maintain or strengthen certification and licensure requirements.
Admission requirements for the art therapy concentration include a preferred 3.0 undergraduate GPA, required prerequisites, 18 credits of studio art, 12 credits of psychology, two professional recommendation forms, an admissions essay, a faculty interview, a digital portfolio, and transcripts from all colleges attended. Admission to the clinical mental health counseling and school counseling concentrations also requires a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, two professional letters of recommendation, an admissions essay, a faculty interview, a resume or CV, and a transcript from the most recent degree. If the undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, the MAT or GRE may be required. The post master’s counseling certificate is designed for students who already hold a master’s degree.
Pennsylvania Western University California is a campus of Pennsylvania Western University in California, Pennsylvania, United States. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and the art therapy concentration is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Council for Art Therapy Education (ACATE).
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MS in Counseling – Art Therapy
MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
MS in Counseling – School Counseling
Post-Master's Counseling Certificate
219 Meadville StEdinboro, Pennsylvania
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
60
Fall, Spring
Complete in as few as 2.5-3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$545.00
$32,700.00
$545.00
$32,700.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
60
Fall, Spring
Complete in as few as 2.5-3 years
Program Admissions
Yes (Conditional) – GRE required if GPA <3.0
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$545.00
$32,700.00
$545.00
$32,700.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
60
Fall, Spring, Summer
Complete in as few as 2.5-3 years
Program Admissions
Yes (Conditional) – GRE required if GPA <3.0
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$545.00
$32,700.00
$545.00
$32,700.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master's Certificate
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
18-30
Spring, Summer, Fall
Complete in as few as 6 to 12 months.
Program Admissions
None specified
None specified
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
18-30
$545.00
$9,810.00 – $16,350.00
$545.00
$9,810.00 – $16,350.00
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.