I don't think anything that you've reported about this therapist sounds at all over the top or concerning. He appears to be more of a sounding board--you bounce ideas off him and he responds with a solid view. As others have said, school is an area that's hard to go wrong with, sort of like being supportive of an athlete who is considering taking something to the next level by getting a trainer. It's not an either or situation, which seems to be how your friend sees it.

Maybe there is something more going on that your friend is picking up on, but I don't see it as a red flag that a therapist is being encouraging of getting a good education to pursue professional goals that require higher education (thinking of grant applications where you have to submit the qualifications of staff and organization).