Make an impact with Rider’s 60-credit Master of Arts in Counseling Services program. As a student in the school counseling concentration, you’ll prepare for a rewarding career as a school counselor in an elementary or secondary school. With our cutting edge instruction, hands-on practice in schools and supportive faculty, you’ll gain the skills needed to succeed. Students have the option to choose from four focus areas or take a range of electives in different interest areas. Courses are offered in the evenings with full-time and part-time enrollment options available to meet the needs of returning and professional students with busy lives.
The data below is updated for AY 2023-2024.
100%
program completion rate
100%
employment rate (Spring '23-Fall '23 graduates)
Watch this informative video or contact our student ambassador for more information on school counseling.
Rider graduates have a strong reputation within the counseling community and are employed in K-12 schools throughout New Jersey.
My favorite aspect about my education at Rider is that I feel prepared for the day-to-day tasks of my job, but I also feel confident enough in my skills and abilities to take on those unexpected challenges that arise in the counseling profession."
Students may tailor their learning to their goals by choosing from four focus areas or taking a variety of elective courses on various topics.
The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program (CACREP), the premier national accrediting body that ensures excellence in counselor preparation and training and is approved for certification with the New Jersey Department of Education.
The MA Counseling and MA CMHC programs are on an 8-year accreditation cycle and are CACREP-accredited until March 31, 2031. CACREP accreditation is sought for our programs on an ongoing basis.
Compare Rider's graduate programs in school counseling, school psychology, applied behavior analysis and clinical mental health counseling.
Our undergraduate accelerated option makes it possible to earn both your bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree in less time. Rider students pursuing the accelerated option work closely with an academic advisor to develop a personal education plan.
Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) is the honor society of the counseling profession. The local chapter exists to promote excellence in counseling and recognize the outstanding academic achievements of our graduate students in the Counseling Services program.
Ready to get started? Learn more about licensure, certification, internships and more.
Students take 51-credits of courses focused on counseling issues such as:
For the remaining 9 credits, students can choose from a range of focus areas that fit their interests and career goals, such as play therapy, trauma issues in counseling, addictions counseling, and creativity in counseling.
Students should reference the Counseling Program Handbook and consult with their faculty advisor about elective choices.
*This applies to the 60-credit MA Counseling Services program.
Associate Professor
Graduate Education, Leadership and Counseling
Bierenbaum Fisher Hall
tpertuit [at] rider.edu
(609) 895-5449
Academic Focus: Counseling Services
