Leah Smock
Associate Director of Enrollment for Graduate Studies & Adult Education
717-796-1800 Ext. 2350
CAGS - Counseling
Messiah University’s post-master’s CAGS in counseling is designed for students who have earned a master’s degree in an appropriate counseling-related field and who desire to take continuing education coursework, often to meet the state requirements for Pennsylvania licensure or certification.
Counseling overview
The post-master’s CAGS in counseling is designed for students who have already earned a master’s degree. The coursework (a minimum of 12 credits) can be structured to your professional goals. If you elect to have a field experience, there is a weeklong, on-campus intensive course; a CAGS that does not include field experience may be completed fully online.
- 12 credits (minimum)
- Online coursework (those taking field experience must take a one-week on-campus course)
- Eight-week courses
- Rolling admission
- Coursework is tailored to needs of each student
- Designed to prepare you to meet education goals and to meet state requirements for Pennsylvania licensure or certification
- No-fee tuition
- No application fee
- School counselor
- Family counselor
- Couples counselor
- Marriage counselor
- Therapist
Messiah University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education. It is the highest accrediting authority recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for degree-granting colleges and universities located in Pennsylvania, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and several other locations internationally.
Messiah’s Graduate Program in Counseling houses three CACREP accredited Master’s degree tracks but CACREP does not accredit certificate programs nor whole departments. Therefore, the post-master’s CAGS cannot be designated as CACREP accredited.
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Counseling
(Credits vary)
The CAGS is designed for students who have earned a master’s degree in an appropriate counseling-related field and who desire to take continuing education course work, often to meet state requirements for licensure or certification. The particular courses (a minimum of 12 credits) for students in the CAGS program will be tailored to the specific needs of each student. Students pursuing the CAGS with field experience are required to successfully complete COUN 501 (intensive), COUN 520 (online) or COUN 540 (intensive) prior to beginning field experience.
Counseling tuition cost
No-fee tuition
Know what you are paying for with Messiah’s no-fee tuition. With our graduate programs, the cost per credit is what you pay – there are no hidden fees for labs, courses, services or technology. We put the true cost of your program upfront so that you can accurately compare and plan for your graduate education.
Deferred billing
Deferred billing is available for students with employer reimbursement. For more information contact Student Financial Services at gradfinancialserv@messiah.edu.
2025-2026
The tuition rate for all CAGS course work is $800.
CAGS and certificate students are eligible to apply for federal financial aid. Learn more about financial aid.
Tuition is reviewed and subject to adjustment each year.
Next steps for admissions
Applying for admission to a graduate program at Messiah University is the first step to making your personal and professional goals a reality.
Continuous accreditation
Messiah University's Graduate Program in Counseling has earned a nationally recognized reputation for delivering excellent online counselor education and has been continuously accredited by CACREP since 2012.
Faith committment
Our program effectively integrates faith commitments with academic distinction. We value each student as a unique person who deserves respect and encouragement as demonstrated by Jesus Christ. Students can expect supportive interaction from our faculty, administration and staff as a part of this commitment to gracious Christianity and our distinct Christian educational mission. In recognition of the important role faith and spirituality plays in our clients’ lives, we offer students the opportunity to be trained in Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy while in the program.
Mentoring by experienced faculty
Students in Messiah’s counseling program learn from faculty with different theological perspectives and global experiences who embrace students’ cultures, beliefs and backgrounds. Our faculty, who are experienced counselors, engaging teachers and accomplished scholars, are well equipped to mentor students as they seek to define their counseling specialties. All student advising is done by core faculty who assist students in creating a customized plan of study, which includes choosing elective courses to promote career planning.
Online and classroom delivery
We offer a flexible blend of instructional methods, ensuring personalized interaction and support along with student-paced learning. With regular synchronous sessions and optional on-campus intensives, students benefit from both virtual convenience and face-to-face skill development. This approach allows for program completion in students’ desired timelines, empowering them to achieve their academic and professional goals efficiently from wherever they are.
A national network of field placement and support
In Messiah’s counseling program, we prioritize the success of our students by fostering network of alumni and quality field experience sites, built over many years. We offer extensive placement support for field experience, with dedicated full-time and part-time staff guiding students all along the way.
Tele-mental health training
In the Graduate Program in Counseling, students from across the United States and around the world engage through meaningful virtual interaction. We offer structured tele-mental health training as a part of our program to prepare students for technological innovation that works alongside face-to-face counseling.