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Nov 19, 2024
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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Counseling and Human Development, M.S.
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Academic Quality Standards
The following courses will require that students complete the course with a grade of “B” or better:
Comprehensive Examinations
A written comprehensive examination, scheduled in the fall or spring semester, is required of all students who do not elect to write a thesis. Students are eligible to take the examination during the semester in which they complete all required core coursework. Additionally, all students who register to take the comprehensive examination must have an approved letter of candidacy and have a signed copy of their program of study on file. A student must complete the examination no later than two weeks prior to graduation. The comprehensive examination is a written examination and typically includes essay and objective examination questions. (See “Final Comprehensive Examination” here .)
Thesis Option
Students may elect to write a master’s thesis instead of taking the comprehensive examination. The master’s thesis is directed by graduate faculty in the department. Students who plan to write a master’s thesis should begin designing their research and planning the thesis during their first year in the program. A thesis grade is recorded “Pass” or “Fail.” School Counseling (60 hrs)
The school counseling program consists of 60 credit hours of courses in the Department of Counselor Education, including nine hours of electives approved by the faculty advisor. The school counseling program educates and trains students to become knowledgeable, thoughtful and skillful counselors at K-12 levels.
The curriculum includes core courses which introduce the student to human growth and development, counseling theory, professional issues in counseling and consulting skills. A blend of other courses is more specifically directed toward continued development of school counseling knowledge and thoughtful application of this knowledge in self-development and clinical practice. Finally, the curriculum focuses on the integration of knowledge, skills and abilities into a skillful counselor.
Licensure as a Virginia school counselor requires that the candidate have a master’s degree from a state approved program in counseling. The school counseling concentration requires 60 semester hours of course work and is CACREP accredited. It prepares students for state licensure as school counselors in Virginia and similar states. Graduates of the program are prepared to be licensed by the state at the K-12 grade levels.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 hrs)
The clinical mental health counseling program is designed to provide the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for counselors to work in a variety of community settings, including mental health centers, substance abuse programs, marriage and family clinics, career counseling agencies, social service agencies and employee assistance programs in business and industry. Students enrolled in the clinical mental health counseling option are required to take 60 hours within the College of Education and Human Development. Through course work, practica and clinical internship placements, students may prepare to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Private Practice Counselor, Community Mental Health Counselor, Clinic or Hospital Psychotherapist, Career Counselor, Employee Assistance Counselor, Gerontology Counselor, Marriage and Family Counselor and Substance Abuse Counselor.
School Counseling Concentration (18 hrs. including internship)
The purpose of this concentration is to prepare students to work as school counselors in primary and secondary schools. The coursework allows students to learn and demonstrate a variety of counseling skills. The required coursework is based on the CACREP standards and the Virginia Department of Education’s School Counselor requirements.
Electives (9 cr)
Electives – 9 credit hours. Students may take graduate courses from across the University. The courses must be approved by the advisor and program director.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Concentration (21 credit hrs. including internship)
The purpose of this concentration is to prepare students to become mental health counselors in settings such as hospitals, private practice and mental health agencies. The coursework allows students to learn and demonstrate a variety of counseling skills. The required coursework is based on the CACREP standards and the Virginia Board of Counseling’s Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) requirements.
Electives (6 cr)
Electives – 6 credit hours. Students may take graduate courses from across the University. The courses must be approved by the advisor and program director.
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