Natashia Bacchus
Faculty Member
Master of Education (MEd) in School Counselling
CREDENTIAL
Master’s Degree
DURATION
24-33 months
NEXT INFO SESSIONS:
Wednesday, September 23 • 4pm-5pm
Wednesday, October 21 • 4pm-5pm
Wednesday, November 18 • 4pm-5pm
About
Important Dates — Master of Education in School Counselling
Program Description
Earn your MEd in School Counselling degree at CityU in Canada, with options to study in Vancouver, Surrey, or online. Approved by the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
Become a school counsellor, advocate and change maker. Build the knowledge, practical skills, and professional values needed for effective practice, and graduate with a strong theoretical foundation and the confidence to support diverse learners, families, and communities.
The program is designed for individuals pursuing careers in school counselling, child and youth counselling, or related helping professions, as well as working professionals seeking graduate-level training while maintaining employment commitments.
Program Outcomes
- Professional Identity and Ethical Practice: Develop a professional identity as a School Counsellor, gain awareness of own strengths and limitations and make decisions based on legal and ethical issues within accountability structures.
- System Leadership: Collaborate and consult with students, school staff, families, community agencies, and health care systems—leading social-emotional learning initiatives, building strong partnerships, advocating against barriers to equity and inclusion, and coordinating care plans tailored to students’ goals and strengths.
- Counselling Skills & Processes: Apply developmentally and culturally appropriate theories, strategies, and interventions to promote mental health and wellbeing. Build strong therapeutic relationships, apply mental health literacy, conduct thorough assessments including risk evaluations, and design and facilitate group sessions effectively.
- Developmental Contexts: Apply knowledge of human development and cultural diversity to support students’ growth, wellbeing, and inclusion. Integrate career planning into counselling and help enhance students’ academic skills.
- Research and Inquiry: Use research methodology and relevant data to make effective decisions for school counselling program improvement plans and to inform own practice based on evidence and contextual understanding.
The CityU program offers
- Flexible delivery that supports working professionals. Students may choose either an in-person or online synchronous format. Classes are held 3 Saturdays per month during the school year, along with a two-week summer intensive in July. This structure allows students to continue balancing professional, family, and personal responsibilities while completing their degree.
- A collaborative cohort learning environment. Students learn alongside peers and faculty in a supportive community that values co-learning, diverse perspectives, and meaningful dialogue. Through shared experiences and collaboration, students build lasting professional relationships and networks that continue beyond graduation.
- Applied learning and professional preparation. Our curriculum blends current research, theory, and practice to prepare you for real-world counselling roles in schools, and community settings. Grounded in contemporary approaches—including person-centered, trauma-informed, advocacy, and DEI-informed practices—you’ll build the skills needed to support diverse children, youth, and families.
- Internship and real-world experience. Gain meaningful, hands-on experience through internship opportunities tailored to your career goals. With mentorship and supervised practice, you’ll apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world counselling settings while building your professional identity as a school counsellor. Students secure their own placements and complete required supervised hours as part of their journey
- Applied learning and professional preparation. The curriculum integrates current scholarship, theoretical frameworks, and practical application to prepare students for real-world counselling settings. Graduates are equipped to work as school or district counsellors, while some pursue careers supporting children and youth in community agencies or private practice settings.
Graduate with Credentials and Confidence
Graduates of the MEd in School Counselling are eligible for Teacher Qualification Service (TQS) upgrades and meet the course requirements for registration as a Registered Clinical Counsellor (BC Association of Clinical Counsellors) and a Canadian Certified Counsellor (Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association), supporting professional practice opportunities across British Columbia and Canada.
As part of CityU’s commitment to continuous improvement and academic excellence, the University undergoes regular internal and external academic reviews by independent experts. Below are summaries of recent reviews and planned initiatives based on their recommendations.
2021 External Review Findings
2020-5-Year Internal Review Findings
Cohort Model
At CityU, you’ll learn in a supportive cohort model that values diversity, inclusion, and holistic well-being. Our experienced faculty bring real-world expertise as school counsellors, clinical counsellors, and social workers ensuring a rich, collaborative environment.
If you’re ready to elevate your career and make a difference in the lives of young people, apply now and join our thriving community of learners.
Still undecided about which is the right program for you?
Find here the comparison between Master of Counselling and Master of Education in School Counselling
| Criteria | MEd in School Counselling | Master of Counselling (MC) |
| Credential | Master of Education (MEd) | Master of Counselling (MC) |
| Target Audience | Educators, aspiring School/District Counsellors | Aspiring Clinical counsellors, Therapists, Private Practitioners |
| Program Focus | School and child/adolescent counselling | Professional counselling in diverse settings, addressing mental health across the lifespan |
| Key Courses | Child and adolescent counselling, mental health assessments, ethics, group counselling, research | Multicultural counselling, trauma counselling, couple and family counselling, ethics, research |
| Delivery Format | In-person or online synchronous (select Saturdays + July intensive) | Mixed-Mode (online/in-person), Saturday in-person cohort, or Full-Time weekday in-person stream. |
| Schedule | In-person or online synchronous classes on select Saturdays (oct-June), plus a two-week summer intensive | Part-time (Saturdays and Mixed-Mode) or Full-Time (2 weekdays) |
| Program Length: | 2 to 2.75 years (52 Quarter Credits) | 2 years full-time or 3-4 years part-time (72 Quarter Credits) |
| Program Start Dates | Fall (October) and Spring (April) | Fall (October: Mixed-Mode & Sat. cohort), Winter (January: Weekday stream) |
| Internship | Required, independently secured | Required, including practicum and fieldwork |
| Capstone Requirement | Yes – Final project or paper | Yes – Clinical case presentation and integrative paper |
| CityU Accreditation/ Consent | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, approved by BC Ministry of Advanced Education | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, approved by BC Ministry of Advanced Education |
| Career Pathways | School or district counsellors, child and youth counsellors, private practice | Clinical counsellor, private practice, community mental health |
| Credentialing Eligibility* | RCC, CCC, TQS upgrades | RCC, CCC |
| TQS (Teacher Qualification Service) | Eligible for upgrades | Not applicable (unless student holds teaching certification) |
| *Credentialing Eligibility: Graduates may be eligible for professional designations such as RCC (Registered Clinical Counsellor), CCC (Canadian Certified Counsellor), and for Teacher Qualification Service (TQS) category upgrades, depending on individual circumstances and regulatory body requirements. | ||
Our Curriculum Covers
- Child and adolescent counselling
- Mental health, trauma, and assessment
- Ethics and group counselling
- Research in counselling practice
- A community-based internship (independently secured)
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MEd in School Counselling Vancouver
789 W Pender Street
Suite 310
Vancouver, BC V6C 1H2
Ph: 604.689.2489 or 1.800.663.7466
vancouverbc@cityu.edu
MEd in School Counselling Victoria
Vancouver Island Technology Park
Suite 2307 – 4464 Markham St, Victoria, BC V8Z 7X8
Ph: 250.391.7444 or 1.800.663.7466
vanisle@cityu.edu
General Inquiries
789 W Pender Street
Suite 310
Vancouver, BC V6C 1H2
Ph: 604.689.2489 or 1.800.663.7466
vancouverbc@cityu.edu