• Individuals with a bachelor’s degree seeking licensure as school counselors
• Educators interested in transitioning to a school counseling career
• Practicing school counselors pursuing official licensure
• Professionals passionate about fostering PreK-12 students’ academic, career, and personal/social growth
• Those committed to making a positive impact in educational settings through counseling and student support

• School Counselor (PreK-12)
• College/Career Counselor
• Student Support Specialist
• Academic Counselor
• Educational Leadership positions (e.g., Counseling Program Coordinator)
• Life and Wellness Coach

• Educational Background: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution recognized by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM). This degree must be completed prior to beginning the program.
• Academic Performance: A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is required for admission consideration.
• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts can be sent for application review. If applicants are accepted, official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions they have attended (except for UH system transcripts) must be submitted to the Graduate Division. These transcripts should be sent directly from the institutions to the Graduate Division at gradss@hawaii.edu
• Personal Statement: A well-written personal statement is required as part of the application. This statement should detail the applicant’s interest in school counseling, describe any relevant experiences, and outline their professional goals in the field.
• Resume/CV: Applicants must submit a current resume or curriculum vitae that highlights their educational background, work experience, and any relevant volunteer or extracurricular activities.
• Letters of Recommendation: Three professional letters of recommendation are required. These should be from individuals who can speak to the applicant’s academic abilities, professional potential, and personal qualities relevant to success in school counseling.
• English Language Proficiency: Applicants who are not native English speakers may need to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test. Prospective students should refer to the Graduate Division website for specific score requirements and information about possible exemptions.
• We are not accepting International students for Fall 2025. International students may apply for Fall 2026. International Student Requirements: Admitted international students are required to complete a Confidential Financial Statement, which includes identification documents and show proof of sufficient funding. More information can be found on the Graduate Division Forms website.
• Interview: Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an interview with faculty members.

* Please note that we are not currently accepting applications from international students.

The current tuition rate is $650 per credit for residents and $1402 per credit for non-residents. Information on tuition and fees can be found under the “General & Post-Baccalaureate Unclassified” heading on the Office of the Registrar’s website.

There are many resources available to help students pay for graduate school, including College of Education scholarships. There are also several scholarships listed generally through the UH Manoa General Scholarship List, STAR website (please note that this is only accessible to students with a valid UH ID number – must be admitted as a student prior to looking for scholarships on this site) and the Financial Support section of the Graduate Division website. For more information on financial aid and additional resources, please visit the UH Mānoa Financial Aid Office (finaid@hawaii.edu).

At this time, the School Counseling program is not accepting faculty, staff, and employee spouse and domestic partner tuition waivers.

The MEd in School Counseling is a hybrid program with courses delivered online, featuring synchronous class sessions typically held in the early evenings, from 4:30pm to 7:00 pm Hawai‘i Standard Time (HST). This format allows for real-time interaction with faculty and peers while providing the flexibility of distance learning. Additionally, students are also required to complete in-person practicum and internships at Hawai‘i school sites. Students are also required to attend in-person full-day sessions at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa twice each year, typically on Saturdays. These on-campus sessions provide valuable face-to-face interaction and networking opportunities.

The Master of Education in School Counseling program consists of 48 credit hours of coursework, designed to provide comprehensive training in school counseling theory, practice, and research. The curriculum is aligned with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model and meets Hawai‘i State licensure requirements. A list of the courses can be found in the School Counseling Program Student Handbook.

Course Sequence: The program is a cohort program and is designed to be part-time or full-time and is offered to students to complete over two or three years. In the two-year program, students will take three or four courses per semester, for the three-year program, students will take two courses each term, including in the summer. For your reference, here is a tentative course schedule outlining the sequence of courses you would be expected to take throughout the program (information is subject to change): https://www.uhonline.hawaii.edu/sample-schedule-school-counseling-med-man

Professional Development: In addition to coursework, students are expected to engage in ongoing professional development activities, including attendance at workshops, conferences, and participation in professional organizations.

In order for you to participate in a future field experience with the Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE), you will be required to pass:

1. A Harm to Students Registry check and
2. A background check.

The Harm to Students Registry (Act 156, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024) is a database maintained by HIDOE that includes individuals who have been found to have inflicted harm on students through offenses such as sexual abuse, physical assault, harassment, or other forms of misconduct.

As part of the preparation for your field experience, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) College of Education will be required to submit your information for both the Harm to Students Registry check and the background check on your behalf.

Failure to meet these requirements may impact your eligibility for field placement. Please note that if you are unable to successfully pass the background check, you will not be able to move forward with program requirements or graduate, as the program prepares individuals to work with minors in school and community settings.

Please ensure all necessary steps are completed promptly to avoid delays in your program progression.

For questions or further clarification, contact your program advisor.