Empower and advocate for others as an ethical, culturally responsive, and effective counseling professional, in today’s high-demand schools or in clinical mental health settings.
Whether you’re inspired to help today’s youth navigate school challenges or to support mental health for people of all ages, the Johns Hopkins Master of Science in Counseling can help you achieve your goals.
Led by a distinguished faculty and supported by a network of partner school districts and mental health organizations, our CACREP-accredited M.S. in Counseling program offers two distinct concentrations, each leading to specific state licensure opportunities: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. Both concentrations offer a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum aligned with national and state standards.
STEM Designation
This STEM-designated degree program meets the qualifications for students on an F-1 visa to apply for a 24-month extension of post-completion optional practical training (OPT). For more information regarding OPT, please visit the Department of Homeland Security’s Optional Practical Training for F-1 Students.
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Upcoming Admissions Events
Have questions about our degree programs, the application, or financial aid and costs? Join us for an inside look at a graduate experience defined by innovation and driven by evidence-based research. Learn more about your area of interest or career path, meet some of our faculty, and connect to the Johns Hopkins School of Education community. Check out our admissions events and register for a virtual information session today.
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Core Faculty
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Matthew Bonner, PhD
Assistant Professor
Faculty Lead, Counseling ProgramAffiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
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Nathaniel Brown, PhD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Director of Field Experience PlacementAffiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
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Isaac Burt, PhD
Associate Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
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Brenda Dorsch , PhD
Lecturer
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
Matthew Bonner, PhD
Assistant Professor
Faculty Lead, Counseling Program
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
Nathaniel Brown, PhD
Assistant Professor
Clinical Director of Field Experience Placement
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
Isaac Burt, PhD
Associate Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
Brenda Dorsch , PhD
Lecturer
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
-
Justin Lauka, PhD
Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
-
Michelle Muratori, PhD
Lecturer
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
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Sean Newhart, PhD, LCPC
Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
-
Hsin-Ya Tang, PhD
Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
Justin Lauka, PhD
Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
Michelle Muratori, PhD
Lecturer
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
Sean Newhart, PhD, LCPC
Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
Hsin-Ya Tang, PhD
Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
-
Sterling P. Travis, PhD
Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
-
Yiying Xiong, PhD
Associate Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
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Anita Young, PhD
Associate Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
Sterling P. Travis, PhD
Assistant Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
Yiying Xiong, PhD
Associate Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
Anita Young, PhD
Associate Professor
Affiliation
Counseling & Educational Studies
Expertise
Counseling & Human Development
Program Overview
Led by a distinguished faculty and supported by a network of partner school districts and mental health organizations, the program’s content includes professional orientation and ethical practice, social and cultural diversity, human growth and development, career development, helping relationships, group work, assessment, and research/program evaluation. Students learn through didactic experiences, small-group projects, and applied learning at community- or school-based sites. The Master of Science in Counseling degree program is accredited by CACREP.
Our M.S. in Counseling program offers two distinct concentrations, each leading to specific state licensure opportunities: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. Both concentrations offer a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum aligned with national and state standards.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration
Prepare for a career in a range of clinical, community, and human service settings. Through coursework and fieldwork, you’ll gain the skills, knowledge, and academic credentials needed to begin the licensure process in Maryland and many other states. With full-time and part-time program sequences, students have a maximum of five years to complete the program. Students must complete their practicum and internship in a clinical mental health setting.
22% Increase
Mental health counselor positions are expected to grow in demand by 22% through 2031, which is much higher than the average occupations
22% Increase
Mental health counselor positions are expected to grow in demand by 22% through 2031, which is much higher than the average occupations
School Counseling Concentration
Prepare to serve and guide students in a variety of K-12 settings. With an emphasis on urban school settings, our curriculum includes practicum and fieldwork experience. The program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), and graduates are eligible for MSDE certification as school counselors. With full-time and part-time program sequences, students have a maximum of five years to complete the program. Students must complete their practicum and internship in a school setting.
Recruit, Educate, Support, Evaluate, and Train (RESET) Initiative
The Recruit, Educate, Support, Evaluate, and Train (RESET) Initiative prepares students in the School Counseling concentration of the MS in Counseling program to address mental health issues in high-need urban, rural, and suburban school districts.
10% Increase
Demand for school and career counselors is predicted to grow by 10% over the next decade, which is faster than the average growth for all occupations
Recruit, Educate, Support, Evaluate, and Train (RESET) Initiative
The Recruit, Educate, Support, Evaluate, and Train (RESET) Initiative prepares students in the School Counseling concentration of the MS in Counseling program to address mental health issues in high-need urban, rural, and suburban school districts.
10% Increase
Demand for school and career counselors is predicted to grow by 10% over the next decade, which is faster than the average growth for all occupations
Field Experience Prospective Site Application, State Licensure Verification Request, and Professional Associations
- Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists
- American Counseling Association
- American School Counselor Association
State Licensure Verification Request Steps and Contact Information
- Current and former students need to view the state regulatory board to learn the requirements to practice clinical or professional mental health counseling in their chosen state before submitting a state licensure verification request to the Office of Field Experience or your request may be delayed.
- Current and former students can request state licensure verification by contacting the Office of Field Experience via e-mail at [email protected]. Sending your request to another office or department may delay processing time.
- State licensure verification request processing time is 5-15 days.
After SOE
Our graduates use their skills and compassion to make a difference in public and private schools, behavioral health agencies, private practice, and other facilities and programs across the greater Baltimore-Washington, D.C., area—and beyond.
Clinical Mental Health Careers
- Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- Clinical Psychotherapist
- Mental Health Therapist
- Mental Health Clinician
- Clinical Research Associate
- Resident Counselor
- Director, Outpatient Services
School Counseling Careers
- High School Counselor
- Middle School Counselor
- Counseling Department Chair
- College and Career Support Counselor
- Transfer Student Adviser
- Assistant Director, Student Affairs
- Senior Program Manager
- Children and Adolescent Therapist
Clinical Mental Health Careers
- Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- Clinical Psychotherapist
- Mental Health Therapist
- Mental Health Clinician
- Clinical Research Associate
- Resident Counselor
- Director, Outpatient Services
School Counseling Careers
- High School Counselor
- Middle School Counselor
- Counseling Department Chair
- College and Career Support Counselor
- Transfer Student Adviser
- Assistant Director, Student Affairs
- Senior Program Manager
- Children and Adolescent Therapist
