Preparing school counselors and mental health professionals for licensing, certification, and career advancement.
Supporting individuals and communities by preparing the next generation of school counselors and mental health professionals.
The M.Phil.Ed. Program in Professional Counseling prepares students to become Certified School Counselors and/or Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). This two-year program is designed to provide the highest level of counselor preparation for work in schools, community mental health agencies, universities, and private practice. Many of our graduates elect to go on to doctoral level study in counseling or clinical psychology, human development, or a related field.
January 10 Application Deadline
Fall Entry Term
Full-Time Enrollment Format
20 Courses
2 Years Duration
On Campus Modality
The Professional Counseling program offers two study options: Track 1) the M.Phil.Ed. only, and Track 2) the M.Phil.Ed. + School Counseling certification. Students in Track 1 are preparing to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and will be able to work in any mental health setting. Students in Track 2 are preparing to become Licensed Professional Counselors in addition to earning certification in School Counseling, which allows them to work in school settings. Track 2 requires the successful completion of national exams, internship hours, and other requirements.
| This program qualifies for the STEM OPT extension for students on an F-1 visa. |
Application Requirements and Deadlines Tuition and Fees Financial Aid
Internships are a key part of the Professional Counseling program, offering students ongoing clinical experience throughout their studies. Placements are based on individual interests and arranged with the student, advisor, course instructor, and a licensed mental health professional at the field site.
Internships are a key part of the Professional Counseling program, offering students ongoing clinical experience throughout their studies. Placements are based on individual interests and arranged with the student, advisor, course instructor, and a licensed mental health professional at the field site.
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Location: Online
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm | Location: Online
Our school and mental health counseling coursework and training emphasize three primary themes: social justice, diversity in its many forms, and a person- or student-centered counseling orientation. For course descriptions, visit the Professional Counseling M.Phil.Ed. program in the University Catalog.
An integral part of the learning experience is completing an internship in a counseling setting, which provides students with practical clinical experience on an ongoing basis during the program. The nature of the internship will vary based on the student’s interests. The internship is arranged collaboratively between the student, their advisor, the Professional Counseling internship course instructor, and a licensed mental health professional at the field site. All site supervisors must hold at least a master’s-level counseling license.
Typically, students are not compensated for services rendered under the internship experience. Student performance is evaluated after the first semester by the field supervisor, faculty advisor, and counseling program faculty to ensure progress and readiness for continued practice. Satisfactory performance during the internship, combined with progress in coursework, is required to qualify for the oral clinical examination for the M.Phil.Ed. degree.
The oral clinical comprehensive examination process for the M.Phil.Ed. program is designed to assess the student’s active, working knowledge of the three major themes of the program:
The examination assesses the student’s competence in using and integrating applied skills in the setting where counselors work. The oral clinical examination uses a case presentation format to evaluate the student’s level of competency as a counselor
We're happy to help! Contact the Administrative Coordinator, Dominic Homac, homacd@upenn.edu.
Toward the end of their second year in the program, students will sit for either the National Counselor Exam (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE), which the program administers at Penn GSE.
Passing the NCE exam grants students the status of eligibility as a PA Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) once their 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised counseling work is completed. The NCC credential indicates that the program the student graduated from has been approved by a national credentialing board.
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) defines this credential as “National Certified Counselors (NCC) are board certified counselors who offer the highest standards of practice because they have met stringent education, examination, supervision, experience, and ethical requirements.”
Important Update: The NBCC has recently made changes to the NCC program, and the last application cycle for students in our program will be fall 2026. Following this date, students will sit for their licensure exam after graduation but without the NCC designation.
Note: Each state has its own licensing requirements so please check with your state board for both the internship licensing requirements and exact number of required post-master's hours.
Toward the end of the program, students sit for the PRAXIS School Counselor Exam (5422). Students can choose from a variety of testing sites both in and out of Pennsylvania.
Students who pass this exam and complete all the coursework and internship requirements are eligible for certification as an Elementary and Secondary (PK-12) School Counselor (Education Specialist I) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and can be certified as PreK-12 school counselors.
Students living outside of Pennsylvania are well-positioned to earn similar certification in other states. However, they must confirm their specific state’s certification requirements prior to beginning their internship field experiences to ensure they meet all necessary criteria for licensure.
Graduates of the Professional Counseling program become mental health counselors working at mental health clinics, schools, and rehabilitation centers. Some graduates enter doctoral programs.
A graduate degree from Penn GSE opens up whole new worlds, intellectually as well as professionally. If you are a passionate, innovative, impactful leader—or aspire to be one—Penn GSE is the place for you.
Do you have questions about the application, financial aid, or requirements? We're happy to help!
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