Counselor Education, MS

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Dr. Kathleen A. McCleskey, Program Director
434.395.4962, mccleskeyka@longwood.edu

The Counselor Education program offers three (3) tracks for college graduates interested in preparing for counseling roles in a wide variety of settings including K-12 schools, colleges/universities, and mental health centers. Students will receive solid grounding in the theoretical frameworks of counseling and how they translate into individual and group interventions tailored to diverse client needs. Graduates will assist clients in self-discovery, personal growth, and in making healthy lifestyle choices. All tracks culminate in a supervised internship.

Applications are processed for admission to summer (school counseling and college counseling/student affairs tracks) and fall semesters (mental health counseling track)- no spring admission. The deadline for applications is February 1 for all tracks. Applicants must provide a criminal background check. A valid teaching license is not required for admission to this program. Upon successful completion of this 60 hour program, a Master of Education in Counselor Education will be earned.

Program Requirements

Core Courses: (30 credit hours)

Students in all three tracks complete the following core courses and comprehensive exam.

Tracks: (30 credit hours)

One track must be selected and completed.

College Counseling and Student Affairs Track

The College Counseling and Student Affairs track is designed to prepare graduates for counseling and student development roles in college and university settings. Students learn the theoretical frameworks of counseling and how they translate into individual and group interventions with an emphasis on evidence-based treatment strategies tailored to diverse client needs. The program values diversity of experience and ideas and emphasizes the application of knowledge in college and university settings. Students complete a 100 clock hour college- or university-based practicum. The program culminates in a supervised internship in a postsecondary setting for 600 clock hours. Students seeking licensure as Professional Counselors (LPC) through the Virginia Board of Professional Counseling (http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/) must understand licensure regulations relating to practicum and internship requirements prior to arranging placements.

Complete the following thirty (30) credit hours:

Elective Course: (3 credit hours)

Select one from the following courses:

Total Program Hours Required: 60

Mental Health Counseling Track

The Mental Health Counseling track is designed to prepare graduates for counseling roles in community mental health agencies, human service agencies, in-home counseling agencies, outpatient counseling centers, social services, youth development services, or court services and Is appropriate for students seeking licensure as Professional Counselors (LPC) through the Virginia Board of Professional Counseling (http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/counseling/). Students learn the theoretical frameworks of counseling and how they translate into individual and group interventions with an emphasis on evidence-based treatment strategies tailored to individual client needs. The program values diversity of experience and ideas and emphasizes the application of knowledge in a mental health setting. It culminates in a supervised internship in a community setting for 600 clock hours.

Complete the following thirty (30) credit hours:

Elective Courses: (6 credit hours)

Select two from the following courses.

Total Program Hours Required: 60

School Counseling Track

The School Counseling track is designed to prepare graduates for a counseling role in an elementary, middle, or high school setting. The curriculum emphasizes the knowledge and skills needed for the practical application of counseling theory and research to the diversity of developmental f and systemic challenges experienced by school-age young people. School counseling students complete three semester-long placements in an (1) elementary, (2) middle, and (3) high school prior to graduation. The program culminates in a supervised two-semester school-based internship in the remaining two school levels for a total of 600 clock hours. Graduates will be eligible for licensure as a School Counselor through the Virginia Department of Education (VADOE).