Master of Science in Counselor Education
The application portal will reopen in July 2026 for admissions for Summer & Fall 2027 starts.
The Fall 2026 Residency experience will be held virtually on Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept 12 via MS Teams. Only students beginning the Counselor Education program in the Fall 2026 semester and are enrolled in the COAD 6409: Counseling Skills and Techniques course are required to attend.
Integrated Behavioral Health with Rural Youth
School Counseling Certificate
Supervisor Information
Counselor Education Student Handbook (PDF)
Program Objectives
McClammy Counseling & Research Lab
Counselor Education flyer (PDF)
Contact Us
For more information about our programs, please contact:
Devlyn McCreight, PhD
Program Area Coordinator
Our CACREP-accredited Counselor Education master’s program is offered 100% online, with the exception of any required on-campus residencies. Designed to support students across diverse locations and life stages, the program prepares counselors to work in a variety of educational and human service settings. Students choose from one of three specialization areas: School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, or Student Affairs and College Counseling.
Mission of the Program
The mission of the Graduate Counselor Education program at East Carolina University is to promote human development and learning by preparing culturally competent professional counselors to work with diverse populations to improve the mental health of individuals in the schools and communities in which they serve. Students and faculty are expected to work in accord with the highest ethical and professional standards while engaged in the fulfillment of this mission. The Counselor Education Program began in 1951 and, today, offers graduate studies at the Master’s (MS) level.
Counselor Education faculty. Back row from left: Jason Perry, Janeé Avent Harris, Scott Glass, Loni Crumb, Allison Crowe, Devlyn McCreight. Front row from left: Shanita Brown, Shontell Zenon, Ashley Cannan, Laura Craven, Allison Fears
Program Approval and School Accreditation
The program of study is approved by the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction in accordance with competencies required for a school counselor license, and the College of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The master’s program in counselor education satisfies the educational requirements for graduates to be eligible to sit for the National Counselor’s Examination (NCE) and to apply for a license with the North Carolina Board of LCMHC.
The Counselor Education Program is accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs.
View the CACREP 2024-2025 Vital Statistics on the Counselor Education program
The program offers an overview of many theories of practice and encourages students to develop personal styles and approaches to professional helping. A key feature of the program is the flexibility given to students to design elective study to suit their career interests. Faculty members represent diverse theoretical orientations, counseling experiences, and research interests. All full-time faculty hold doctorates in Counselor Education or counseling psychology.
Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students
ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different.
If you are considering a degree program that may, would, could or potentially lead to a professional license and/or certification, please note that at this time ECU may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina. Prior to enrolling in a degree program, please discuss this important topic with your program of interest.