Master in Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services (Master's)

Tuition is Program tuition is currently $962 per credit hour., and applications for the Jan 2027 intake are open until Oct 1, 2026.

Graduates are qualified to become licensed clinical mental health counselors in Tennessee. The programme prepares students through a structured curriculum focused on ethical practice, clinical skills, and personal development. Students complete 750 hours of supervised clinical experience during their second year, including practicum and internship placements at community mental health centers, non-profits, and university counseling offices. The programme is faith-based and CACREP-accredited, with a strong emphasis on character development through the HERD dispositions.

Focus areas include Play Therapy, Addiction.

The programme requires 7 semesters and 60 credit hours. Students complete coursework, a 750-hour supervised clinical experience, and meet licensure requirements through practicum and internship. The curriculum includes specialized courses for the Play Therapy and Addiction tracks.

Graduates enter careers as licensed clinical mental health counselors in community mental health centers, non-profit agencies, university counseling offices, and addiction treatment facilities.

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA or provide alternative documentation such as a GRE score or explanation of GPA. Required materials include official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a resume, a 45-60 second video, a 3-page essay on HERD dispositions, and an interview. International students must meet additional requirements.

The programme totals about 60 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, 7-semester programme. For international students, tuition is below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 67% of applicants.

For 135 years, Lipscomb University has prepared learners for purposeful lives through rigorous academics and transformative experiences. Its Christ-centered mission brings faith into education, with a focus on intellectual curiosity, character, leadership and service. Students can choose from more than 200 programs of study, with academic opportunities spanning areas such as business, nutrition and dietetics, natural sciences, engineering, film, music, animation, graphic design and fashion.

Professional preparation is closely connected to the Nashville setting. Many majors require internships, and students in the College of Business have worked with companies including HCA, Philips, Schneider Electric and Tractor Supply Company. Faculty-student partnerships include natural-science research through the Ward Summer Research Fellowship and creative projects through CEA Studios. Service-learning, volunteer work and international mission teams give students additional ways to apply their studies.

The campus is in Green Hills, a neighborhood a few miles from downtown Nashville, with restaurants, shopping and green space nearby. Students can engage with the city through internships, service-learning and volunteer opportunities, while accessing its employers, professional sports, museums, parks, nature and restaurants. Nashville International Airport is minutes from campus and served by major airlines. International students should expect a supportive, faith-integrated community and a learning experience that combines classroom study with practical involvement in the city.