Online Master of Arts in Counseling
Welcome to the Online Master of Arts in Counseling Program
Student Support Services consists of Norma Cardenas and Felicia Ramsingh, the Student Support Specialists for this program. Their mission is to ensure your success in the program. They are available to answer any questions or concerns that you may have, and to make your journey through this program as seamless as possible.
You will receive communications from them via email and text which includes program schedules, student account matters and course information. Please be sure to add their email address below to your safe list so that no emails are blocked. Please note that all official correspondence will be through your wfu.edu email account.
They looks forward to assisting you in reaching your academic goals and receiving your degree. For your convenience, their contact information is provided below.
Student Support Specialists
877-830-4733, Option 2
Norma Cardenas and Felicia Ramsingh
studentsupport@wfu.edu
Letter from the Director
Teaching Professor,
Online Program Director
Wake Forest University
Counseling Department
P.O. Box 7406
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
I urge you to fully engage as a member of this community — as in life, the more you put into something (your studies) the more you will get out of it! Read scholarly articles, participate in local conferences and be involved in your community. The contacts you make will not only enrich your life but will also enrich the lives of those around you.
We are happy that you have chosen Wake Forest University for your counseling studies — let’s get started.
Letter from the Associate Director
Robert Casares
Associate Professor,
Associate Online Program Director
Wake Forest University
Counseling Department
P.O. Box 7406
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
Our students, staff, faculty and alumni value diversity, self-awareness and lifelong learning. We are delighted that you have chosen to align yourself with us as we strive to foster the well-being of people in many ways.
Letter from the Associate Director
Seth C.W. Hayden
Associate Professor, Clinical Mental Health
Counseling Program Coordinator,
Associate Online Program Director
Wake Forest University
Counseling Department
P.O. Box 7406
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
We are grateful you have decided to join us as we strive to continue building an environment that affirms diverse experiences, identities and voices for the betterment of our intellectual engagement. This journey will challenge and reward you with enhanced awareness and knowledge of effective methods of counseling those we serve. Welcome to our community and please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can be of assistance in any way!
Letter from the Department Chair
David Johnson
Associate Professor, Department Chai
Wake Forest University
Counseling Department
P.O. Box 7406
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
Our accomplished faculty members, who are leaders in their respective areas, will provide expert guidance, growth-promoting challenges, and support as you complete your educational journey. You will also benefit from the varied backgrounds and viewpoints of your fellow students, enhancing the richness of the collective learning experience. Wake Forest University’s guiding principle, Pro Humanitate, underscores our dedication to serving humanity by training dedicated students to deliver high-quality counseling services to those in need.
We are delighted by your decision to pursue your counseling education at Wake Forest University. Welcome to our community!
Important Information
Important Dates
New Student Orientation Opens:
April 27, 2026
New Student Orientation End Date:
May 10, 2026
First Course Start Date:
May 11, 2026 (A term)
Last Day for 100% Tuition Refund*:
May 10, 2026 (A term)
First Course End Date:
June 28, 2026
Second Course Start Date:
June 29, 2026 (B term)
Last Day for 100% Tuition Refund:
June 28, 2026 (B term)
Second Course End Date:
August 16, 2026
Transfer Credits
You can transfer up to six total credits, subject to approval by department faculty. Evaluations are completed upon acceptance into the program. Additionally, you must submit a syllabus for the courses you want to transfer in. Official transcripts are required prior to registration. Please be aware that taking fewer than 4.5 hours in a semester (which may happen when you receive transfer credit for one of the scheduled courses) may lower your eligibility for financial aid.
Disability Policy and Procedures
Wake Forest will consider the application of any qualified student, regardless of disability, on the basis of the selection criteria established by the University, which include personal and academic merit.
Upon matriculation, all students will be required to meet the same standards for graduation. The University endeavors to provide facilities which are in compliance with all laws and regulations regarding access for individuals with disabilities.
Reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities are provided through the Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success (CLASS). Information can be found at class.wfu.edu on the “Disability Services” link. Peer tutoring and academic coaching are not provided at the graduate level.
Documentation of a disability and a request for accommodations can be sent to Michael Shuman, Ph.D., Director, Learning Assistance Center & Disability Services at this address:
Wake Forest University
P.O Box 7283
Winston-Salem NC 27109
Phone:
336-758-5929
Fax:
336-758-1991
If there are questions after reviewing the documentation guidelines at class.wfu.edu under Disability Services then please call the CLASS office at 336-758-5929 for clarification.
Wake Forest Technology
Wake Forest Credentials
Instructions for how to access many WFU resources such as Google Mail, WebEx, Workday, Canvas and Workday Student Financials are sent to all students via email approximately 72 hours after they accept admission into the online Master of Arts in Counseling program. These credentials are unique to you and your student account at Wake Forest; therefore, they should not be shared with anyone.
WFU Google Mail
Wake Forest University provides email service to all students, faculty and staff via WFU Google Mail. Please note that ALL electronic communications from Wake Forest University are sent to the WFU Google Mail account upon acceptance of admission. Therefore, if you have not already done so, please go to google.wfu.edu to complete the initial login process. You will need your Wake Forest username and password to access the account. Your WFU Google email is your user name followed by @wfu.edu (example: jdoe12@wfu.edu).
Workday is Wake Forest’s student information system (“SIS”), supporting data and processes related to the student educational journey through admission, enrollment, academic records, academic advising, curriculum management, degree planning, and financial aid.
Please visit Project WakeDay for resources on how to navigate Workday Student and access step-by-step tutorials and videos on various topics such as Academic Advising, Student Financials, and Student Records and Registration.
You will be responsible for registering yourself in your specific courses each semester. Before your first semester in the program, you will receive a message from Wake Forest with information on the registration process and the specific courses and sections to register for. In your first semester, you will be assigned a faculty advisor who will assist you with registration processes and questions moving forward.
If you have questions or general inquiries about Workday Student, please contact the project team.
Technical Requirements
This link lists the minimum computer requirements for students.
If you would like support navigating Canvas, please reach out to our Help Desk.
Students may find an external microphone and headphones helpful as well.
Students are required to have a laptop; tablets are not recommended.
Financing Your Education
Tuition and Fees
For the Master of Arts in Counseling program for the 2025-2026 academic year, the tuition rate will be $1700 per credit hour, for a total tuition of $102,000 (60 credits X $1700), using the 2025-2026 rate. Tuition increases are typically between 3% and 6%. Tuition for the upcoming semester is due June 1, 2026.
Beginning the Spring 2025 term, to confirm enrollment to Wake Forest University’s Online Counseling program, admitted students must pay a deposit of $250. All admission deposits are nonrefundable and must be submitted when the student accepts their offer of admission in their admissions portal. The applicable deposit is credited to the student’s charges for the semester for which the student has been accepted.
Tuition Payment Options
Wake Forest University provides students online access to their financial accounts via Workday Student Financials. This system permits students and authorized payers to view account activity in real-time, 24/7. Students are also able to pay tuition and fees via e-check through an Authorized Clearinghouse (ACH). Workday Student Financials.
Financial Aid Information (F.A.Q.’s)
Many questions about tuition, fees and other costs can be answered by referring to our Graduate & Divinity School Cost of Attendance section on the Graduate School Website.
Need More Money?
If your program cost is more than $20,500, and you need additional funding - you can also apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. If you are interested in receiving additional GRAD PLUS Loan funding, please note the following below.
- Determine how much GRAD PLUS Loan you actually need. Direct costs and charges such as tuition and fees will appear in Workday. Start there!
- On the PLUS Application - indicate how
- much GRAD PLUS Loan you want to borrow. Please consider long-term debt accrual.
- Complete GRAD PLUS Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note – similar to the Direct Stafford Loan.
- You must first accept the full amount of $20,500 in Direct Stafford Loan, before we will process your GRAD PLUS Loan.
Applying for Need Based Financial Aid
If you want to apply for Need Based Financial Aid - we welcome you to do that! Instructions on how to apply for financial aid as well as eligibility requirements - can be found on our website. ONLY Federal Direct Loans and Federal Work Study are available need based financial aid options for Graduate School. No other need-based aid is offered.
Here are a few quick tips on how and when to apply for your Federal Direct Stafford Loan:
- Determine the cost of your program using the Cost of Attendance link referenced above.
- Complete your 2025-2026 FAFSA as soon as possible.
- Sign Master Promissory Note, which is required before your loans can be processed and disbursed to your account.
- Complete Federal Entrance Counseling, which is required before your loans can be processed and disbursed to your account.
- Wait to hear back from the Financial Aid Office regarding your financial aid notification.
- Please Note: The MAXIMUM amount of direct student loan you can borrow per academic year, is $20,500.
Do you still have questions or concerns?
Be sure you have completed the following steps.
- Review the Graduate School Websites to determine the costs associated with your program.
- Check Workday to determine what charges have been applied, your balance information, what financial aid has or has not been applied, what scholarships has been applied (if applicable), and what your anticipated financial aid will be (in future semesters).
- Complete your FAFSA to apply for Direct Loans.
- Determine if you need a PLUS Loan - if so, apply.
- Sign your Master Promissory Note(s) and Complete your Entrance Counseling(s).
- Wait for your financial aid to be awarded.
- Check your Financial Aid Portal to determine what Financial Aid has been awarded and confirm that the FAO has received your FAFSA.
- Complete your Refund Request with Student Financial Services if you anticipate a refund.
- Contact the Graduate School Financial Aid Office at: gradaid@wfu.edu if you are having difficulties.
- Contact Student Financial Services if you have questions about your bill, balance or charges.
Account Responsibility
Payment Plan Option
An interest-free, monthly payment plan is available through Nelnet Business Solutions. To enroll in the plan as a first-time user, log in to your Workday account. Under the ‘Personal’ tab, click on ‘WFU-NBS Agreement,’ then click on ‘Set up a payment plan.’
Payment methods that are accepted through the plan are electronic funds transfer (eCheck) from a checking or savings account or debit/ credit card (Mastercard, Discover and American Express only).
A convenience fee of 2.7% per transaction is charged for credit/debit card payments. A nonrefundable $125 enrollment fee per semester is charged to participate in the plan. The payment plan is a separate transaction from the first scheduled payment. If the payment plan returns, the monthly plan agreement will automatically terminate.
The enrollment periods for the payment plan option are:
Spring
November 1
Summer
April 1
Fall
July 1
Third Party Payment Plans
Wake Forest University permits students to set up accounts for authorized users. Authorized users can make online payments on behalf of the respective student. To set up an authorized user account, the student must begin the process online.
Credit Balances & Refunds
Credit Balances: Adjustments to charges, prepayments, financial aid disbursements and overpayments often result in credit balances on student accounts. A credit balance is indicated on the student account statement by parentheses ( ) surrounding the balance.
Refunds: Financial Aid Disbursement Refunds All Financial Aid must be received and posted to your account before a refund will be issued.
Financial aid refunds are processed after the start of classes for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, and seven to ten business days after the credit appears on the account.
Refund Requests: Please visit the Student Financial Services website for information regarding how to request and receive a student refund.
Past Due Accounts
A student with past-due balances cannot:
- Register for future semesters
- Receive an official transcript of academic record
- Have academic credits certified
- Receive a diploma at graduation
In addition, a student with a past-due balance may be subject to cancellation from classes.
Financial Aid Process
Students enrolled in the online Master of Arts in Counseling program may be eligible for federal financial aid provided they are enrolled at least half time (4.5 credit hours per semester for graduate students) in a degree seeking program. Students who are unclassified, non-degree seeking students or enrolled less than halftime are ineligible for federal aid. To receive any federal loan, a student must be accepted or enrolled in a degree or certificate program. Admittance to a graduate program as a “Special Student” does not meet the admissions criteria to qualify for federal financial aid.
To be considered for federal financial aid, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Once you have been accepted and the FAFSA received, Wake Forest Student Financial Aid will review your file for accuracy and completeness, including:
- Admission to an eligible degree or a certificate program
- Birth date
- Social Security number
- Loan history
- Academic transcripts
- Financial aid history from the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
- Selective Service registration
- INS (Immigration & Naturalization Service) documentation
Returned Checks/Rejected Payments
(This policy not applicable to the monthly payment plan.)
All returned checks and rejected eCheck payments will be assessed a $25 fee.
Student Financial Services will notify students/ authorized payers of returned or rejected payments as follows:
Returned Checks: Letter will be mailed to the student’s primary address on file, or an email will be sent to the student’s Wake Forest email address.
Rejected eCheck Payments: Email will be sent to the student and authorized payer email addresses as specified in Workday Student Financials.
If an account indicates a history of returned checks: The University may require future payments by cash, money order or certified check.
You may submit a FAFSA at any time during the academic year. Financial aid awards are assessed for the academic year. Wake Forest determines an academic year to consist of a fall, spring and summer semester. If you are admitted into the program beginning in the fall semester, your award will consist of a fall/spring/summer award package. If you are admitted in the spring semester, the award will consist of a spring/summer award. Summer admits will receive a summer semester award and will need to complete a new FAFSA to be considered for aid for the upcoming fall/ spring/summer academic year.
A FAFSA must be submitted each academic year to determine federal aid eligibility.
Wake Forest’s Federal Title IV school code is E00429.
You do not need to be admitted to the University to submit the FAFSA, but financial aid eligibility will not be assessed until you have been officially accepted by the Wake Forest Department of Counseling and registered for classes. The standard time for the Department of Education to process and release a FAFSA to a college or university is 5-10 business days.
If additional information is required to assess or disburse eligible federal aid, Wake Forest will notify you through your Wake Forest email account. You will be instructed to log into Workday, review your financial aid status and complete any unsatisfied requirements. The award will be on hold and no federal financial aid will disburse until all of the unsatisfied requirements are received by Wake Forest Student Financial Aid. Final processing for financial aid occurs once you have accepted your admittance to Wake Forest.
IMPORTANT
If for any reason loans or scholarships are not received or are reduced, you are responsible for the balance due. Student borrowers of federal loans have the right to cancel all or a portion of the loan disbursement within a certain period of time. You should be aware that canceling any aid may result in unpaid charges and prevent enrollment.
For more information, visit financialaid.wfu.edu, or contact:
Veronica Trujillo-Cuadrado
Financial Aid Counselor
gradaid@wfu.edu
Student Orientation Course
On April 27th, 2026, two weeks before for-credit classes begin, you will be given access to and required to complete an introductory orientation course (please note you won’t have access to the Canvas Orientation course until 4/27). This course is designed to acquaint you with important facts about Wake Forest University; with the history, mission statement and program policies of the Department of Counseling; and with the tools you will be using during your online program of study. In addition to Orientation, you will have access to a resource page called Deacon’s Den, which will serve as a central hub for receiving important information about your program.
Accessing the Orientation Course and Deacon’s Den
- Begin by logging into Wake Forest’s Canvas portal and entering your Wake Forest login information in the appropriate fields:
- Select the “Book” icon on the left navigation bar to show your published courses, then select Student Orientation to get to your orientation course. Follow steps 2 and 3 to access and become familiar with Deacon’s Den as well.
- Familiarize yourself with the purpose and contents of the Student Orientation by selecting and reading through the Welcome Message on the Home Page.
- Begin your orientation course by reviewing the Syllabus and viewing the Modules.
Wake Forest Online Library
The Z. Smith Reynolds Library is available to all WFU students. You are encouraged to make use of its services and databases for all of your research needs.
A comprehensive guide to using your Library Resources can be found in the Online Student Orientation Research Guide. Here you will find links to resources and instructions to help you make use of the library for your research needs, including:
- Links to databases and search tools
- Tutorials on how to search for resources
- Guides to documenting sources in APA style
- Support service information
- How to use interlibrary loan
- Note: please allow 1-2 additional weeks for in-home delivery of materials.
In order to search certain library databases, you will need to download VPN software.
To install this software, go to the VPN installation page on the Information System Service Portal.
Once you have installed the VPN software, the VPN page of the IS portal will tell you how to configure and use it to retrieve articles from the Z. Smith Reynolds library. All of this information is available through the VPN tab of the Online Student Orientation Research Guide.
If you need additional assistance when accessing or using the Wake Forest library system, please contact:
Kyle Denlinger
eLearning Librarian
336-758-5964
denlinkd@wfu.edu
Online Bookstore
You can build a book list; view those titles available for rent, purchase e-books, and buy textbooks online.
The University Store’s website accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. You can also get educational pricing on Apple computers using the Wake Forest Apple online store.
For more information, you may contact:
Kyle Williams
Course Materials Manager
Phone: 336-758-3388
Fax: 336-758-4155
1368422@follett.com
MAC Program Requirements
Program Feature
MA Counseling
Credit Hours: 60
Tracks: School Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Campus-based Residencies: 2 residencies organized as intensive weekends occurring on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and half-day on Sunday
Applied Learning Education: One practicum @ 185 hours, completed in one semester, AND One internship @ 600 hours, completed in one semester, OR Two internships @ 300 hours each, completed over two consecutive semesters, OR Three internships @ 200 hours each, completed over three consecutive semesters
Semester Structure: 14-week semesters with two 7-week courses offered back-to-back, except for applied learning education
Time to Degree Completion: 3 years
Semesters to Complete Degree: 9 semesters
Checklist
Check when complete:
- If necessary — complete all preliminary financial aid requirements and documentation (i.e FAFSA, GRAD Plus Loan, MPN/Entrance Counseling, Award Letter, etc.)
- Submit all required documents for application if not already submitted (i.e., transcripts)
- Ensure Wake accounts are set up and you can access Workday, your email, Canvas, etc.
- Gather all appropriate technical equipment for online classes (i.e., computer, webcam, etc.)
- Complete Welcome Call and Meet and Greet Webinar (Meet and Greet Webinar is a video conference, so be prepared to be on camera)
- Complete all Canvas Orientation Modules in the Orientation Course
- Order required course materials
- Confirm registration via Workday and pay tuition
- Complete prior course call with your Student Support Specialist (Will be scheduled during Welcome Call)
- Start classes!