Point Loma Nazarene University Online Master’s in Counseling
Point Loma Nazarene University offers online counseling programs in clinical counseling and school counseling. The programs include the online MA in clinical counseling, the online MA in school counseling, the online MA in school counseling with PPS credential, and the online MS in school counseling with PPS credential.
PLNU is built around a Christ-centered mission that values grace, truth, holiness, and service. Its counseling programs are designed to prepare students with flexible online study, personal mentoring, practical clinical training, and strong professional support. Students can choose synchronous or asynchronous learning, and the school counseling programs also offer embedded fieldwork and credential pathways for California.
The online MA in clinical counseling is a 63- to 66-unit program that can be completed in 24 to 48 months. It is designed to prepare students for licensure as an LMFT or LPCC in California, and it focuses on faith-based principles, cultural awareness, clinical skill development, and licensure exam preparation. Important courses include counseling theory and faith integration; multicultural theories and development; psychodiagnostics and mental disorder treatment; clinical skills; crisis and trauma counseling; and marriage and family therapy.
The clinical counseling program includes supervised practicum training, a 20-hour personal therapy requirement, and a comprehensive examination. Students complete about 700 supervised training hours, including direct client contact, and they also complete a 10- to 12-month traineeship. The program is offered online in synchronous and asynchronous formats, with classes that are flexible for working adults and with practicum placements in settings such as non-profit agencies, community mental health, couples counseling clinics, and youth and family services.
The online MA in school counseling prepares students to support academic, social, emotional, and vocational growth in school settings. It includes courses such as counseling theory and techniques; foundations of school counseling; school counseling and academic development; leadership and advocacy in social justice; and action research and capstone. The program can be completed with or without the PPS Credential, depending on the career path the student wants to follow.
The online MA in school counseling with a PPS credential is designed for students who want to work in California public school settings. It includes a school counseling practicum, fieldwork seminars, fieldwork placements, and culminating courses such as action research, a capstone project, and a presentation.
The online MS in school counseling with a PPS credential has the same core structure and fieldwork requirements, but it includes a thesis path instead of the capstone route and is designed for students who plan to pursue doctoral study.
Admission to the clinical counseling program requires a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, prerequisite courses in general psychology, abnormal psychology, and human development, a statement of purpose, a resume, references, an interview, and a background check. Admission to the school counseling programs requires a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and an interview. The PPS credential track may also require a basic skills test, and international students are not eligible for the clinical counseling program.
Point Loma Nazarene University is a private university located in San Diego, California. It is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and the school counseling programs are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
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Online MA in Clinical Counseling
Online MA in School Counseling
Online MA in School Counseling (with PPS Credential)
Online MS in School Counseling (with PPS Credential)
3900 Lomaland DrSan Diego, California
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
63-65
Fall, Spring, Summer
Complete in as few as 2 years or as many as 4 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
63-65
$848.00
$53,424 – $55,120
$848.00
$53,424 – $55,120
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
39
Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II, Fall, Fall II
Complete in as few as 16-18 months
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
39
$680.00
$26,520.00
$680.00
$26,520.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
50
Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II, Fall, Fall II
Complete in as few as 16-24 months
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
50
$680.00
$34,000.00
$680.00
$34,000.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
50
Spring, Spring II, Summer, Summer II, Fall, Fall II
Complete in as few as 16-24 months
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
50
$680.00
$34,000.00
$680.00
$34,000.00
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.