Counseling Degree Programs in Virginia

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Updated December 2, 2022

Readers can refer to this page to learn more about earning counseling degrees in Virginia, including information about the career outlook for counselors in the state.

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Counselors serve many different client populations to help work through substance abuse, homelessness, and professional concerns. Counselors across disciplines in Virginia enjoy a strong job outlook and higher-than-average salary opportunities. Virginia employs 7,220 educational, guidance, and career counselors who earn an annual mean wage of $63,200. The 3,350 rehabilitation counselors in the state enjoy an annual mean wage of $40,060. Learners interested in exploring Virginia counseling degrees can refer to the list below to learn about available programs in the state. Our ranking of accredited schools provides degree-seekers with relevant and important aspects to help them determine the school that best fits their needs. Along with earning a degree in counseling, candidates must meet their state-specific licensing requirements before they can practice professionally. In Virginia, an eligible candidate must hold a master's degree in counseling or a related field and satisfy clinical experience before applying to earn their license.

Top 10 Counseling Degree Programs in Virginia

College of William and Mary Williamsburg, VA
Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA
James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA
Lynchburg College Lynchburg, VA
Marymount University Arlington, VA
Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
Radford University Radford, VA
Regent University Virginia Beach, VA
University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA

Featured Online Programs

Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.

Career Outlook for Counselors in Virginia

Virginia boasts the fifth-highest concentration of jobs for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, employing 12,100 in the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a job growth rate of 29.6% for these professionals from 2016-26. Mental health counselors in Virginia enjoy the highest concentration of jobs and the third-highest employment levels in the nation, with 8,980 employed across the state. BLS data indicates a projected job growth of 34.5% in 2016-26. These counselors earn around $48,310 annually, which reaches higher than the national annual mean wage of $46,050. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors enjoy annual mean wages of $51,610, much higher than the national annual mean wage of $49,950. Both mental health counselors and substance abuse and behavioral counselors can experience the highest concentration of jobs in the outpatient care services industry.

Counseling Degree Programs in Virginia

  • College of William and Mary
    Location

    Williamsburg, VA

    Renowned for being the second oldest public institution in the United States since being founded by King William III and Queen Mary II of England in 1693, the College of William and Mary has a long illustrious history of liberal arts education and a growing research commitment on its vast 1,200-acre suburban campus in historic Williamsburg. Named among the nation’s prestigious “Public Ivies,” William and Mary is ranked as the 32nd best college and 6th top public school in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. As the 39th best education school, the School of Education is home to accredited school psychology and counseling programs that prepare qualified professionals for practicing in educational or mental health settings.

    With the goal of preparing graduate students for service as Licensed Professional Counselors to find employment in public or private human service agencies, the M.Ed. Community Counseling program places a strong emphasis on the needs for prevention, social justice, advocacy, and positive social change in communities as well as individual and group counseling intervention. In order to prepare counselors for being the critical first point of contact for troubled community members, the program is focused on delivering the skills and confidence to provide helping services. Within the 60-credit two-year program, students are required to complete a 100-clock hour practicum and a 600-clock hour internship under the guidance of a field supervisor. Students can also choose an optional specialization in Addictions Counseling to learn counseling interventions related to the use of alcohol and other drugs.

    Offering coursework in family counseling theories and techniques with a particular emphasis on working with multi-challenged families, the M.Ed. Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling/Therapy program is designed to satisfy the academic requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Virginia. Through a multi-dimensional and culturally inclusive approach, the program builds upon classroom instruction by offering counseling practicum and internship experiences at the on-campus New Horizons Family Counseling Center. After completing the required 60 hours of graduate coursework for the master’s degree, graduates must complete 2,000 hours of post-master’s supervision and successfully pass the licensure examination in order to practice independently in Virginia and many other states.

    Based on a balanced programming approach to address the developmental needs of students as well as the mechanisms of support for children susceptible to arrested development, the M.Ed. School Counseling program is focused on guiding children through the school years to prepare graduates for assuming positions in elementary, middle, and secondary schools. With a strong emphasis on the cognitive, affective, and physical growth of children through young adulthood, the program ensures that all graduates have the knowledge and skills needed to maximize students’ learning for reaching their fullest potential. With a 150-hour practicum and 600-hour internship, the program’s didactic instruction and field work can typically be completed in two years and one summer full-time.

    Structured to prepare qualified students for competency in graduate-level teaching expertise to contribute new knowledge to the field, train the nation’s next generation of counselors, and act as competent counselor supervisors, the Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision program encourages students to extend their abilities, explore experiential learning activities, develop critical thinking skills, and build a focused research agenda. In addition to delivering advanced clinical training in couples, family, and sexuality counseling at the New Horizons Family Counseling Center, students can choose to provide addictions counseling at the New Leaf Clinic. For a minimum total of 60 hours, the program includes seminars, counseling practicum, a counselor education internship, approved electives, and doctoral dissertation.

    Accreditations

    • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
  • Eastern Mennonite University
    Location

    Harrisonburg, VA

    Rooted in the peace-oriented traditions of the Anabaptist faith, Eastern Mennonite University is a comprehensive four-year Christian liberal arts institution of over 1,200 students on a 93-acre suburban campus in Harrisonburg within Virginia’s gorgeous Shenandoah Valley. With nearly 40 religious groups represented on-campus and the unique opportunity to join a cross-cultural program with students around the globe, EMU is ranked as the 180th best national liberal arts college by the U.S. News and World Report. The Graduate Counseling Division creates a supportive community atmosphere to nurture the inner workings of aspiring counselors.

    As a psychologically and spiritually grounded graduate program focused on experiential learning, the M.A. in Clinical Community Mental Health Counseling program strives to prepare students for clinical practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia. Since many students commute from Roanoke, Charlottesville, and the District of Columbia, the program has been designed in a unique two-day back-to-back course schedule to accommodate students’ busy schedules of balancing work and family life with returning to school. Within the 60-credit program, students will learn about emotionally focused therapy (EFT), psychoanalytical perspectives, mindfulness, expressive arts, and contemplative practice. Students also have the option of pursuing the dual degree program to earn both the M.A. and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) concurrently.

    Accreditations

    • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
  • James Madison University
    Location

    Harrisonburg, VA

    Centrally located on a 721-acre urban campus in Harrisonburg within a two hour’s drive from both Washington, DC and the state’s capital city of Richmond, James Madison University is a comprehensive four-year public liberal arts institution that offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to 18,600 students. Named in the top 100 “Best Values in Public Colleges” by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, JMU is ranked as the 6th best college and 2nd top public school in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. Also recognized for the 141st best psychology degree programs, the Department of Graduate Psychology has been granted the “Outstanding Program at the Master’s Level” for its innovations by the Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision.

    Leading to the awarding of both the Master of Arts and the Educational Specialist degrees, the M.A./Ed.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is designed to provide the coursework needed for graduate students to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in community agencies, mental health centers, psychiatric facilities, and private practices across Virginia. As a three-year program consisting of 60 credit hours with a close-knit cohort of students, the curriculum covers topics in statistics, assessment procedures, developmental psychology, counseling techniques, substance abuse counseling, group counseling, family systems, career development, intervention planning, psychopathology, and multicultural perspectives. After completing the 4,000 clock hours of supervised counseling residency after graduation, students have a 100% pass rate on the licensure examination.

    Requiring the completion of 54 credit hours in two full-time calendar years with a summer start, the M.Ed. School Counseling program has been established to enable graduates to become licensed school counselors for practicing in elementary, middle, and high schools across Virginia to help youth reach their maximum potential. With small experiential-based classes that rarely consist of more than ten students, the program prides itself on offering students immediate feedback and close supervision from award-winning faculty members. Founded with a special emphasis on personal and professional growth through practical application, the program goes beyond didactic learning to include on-campus practicum and community-based internships at local schools.

    Accreditations

    • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
  • Lynchburg College
    Location

    Lynchburg, VA

    As a small comprehensive private residential institution of around 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students, Lynchburg College is nestled on a beautiful 250-acre urban campus in central Virginia at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains within 130 miles from downtown Richmond. Included in the “Colleges that Change Lives” by education author Loren Pope, Lynchburg is currently ranked as the 32nd best college in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the School of Graduate Studies, the Counselor Education programs are devoted to training effective and ethical mental health practitioners with a unique emphasis on diversity of experiences in the counseling profession.

    Building on the core courses for the Master of Education degree with additional classroom instruction specific to clinical counseling interventions, the M.Ed. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is intended to provide graduate students with the dynamic learning opportunities needed to develop a successful career in individual, family, or group counseling. In preparing students to assume entry-level counseling positions in community mental health centers, human service agencies, outpatient counseling clinics, drug/alcohol treatment facilities, psychiatric hospitals, and private practices, the program offers relevant on-site training in various mental health settings with a formal practicum and internship experience. All students must complete at least 60 credit hours to complete the degree and pursue professional licensure in Virginia.

    Founded with a special emphasis on consultation skills, guidance curriculum development, and coordination of guidance program components, the M.Ed. School Counseling program prepares graduate students to become highly skilled school counselors who have the professional competencies needed to meet the K-12 guidelines mandated by the Virginia Department of Education. Individuals can choose to specialize in Elementary School to meet the needs of young children, Middle School to focus on the unique needs of middle school-age students, or High School to emphasize the developmental challenges and career development decisions of secondary school students. For completion of the program, students must complete at least 48 credit hours of advanced coursework, including a full-time supervised internship experience totaling 600 clock hours in a chosen school setting.

    Accreditations

    • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
  • Marymount University
    Location

    Arlington, VA

    First established in 1950 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) as a comprehensive independent Catholic institution, Marymount University is home to over 3,700 students on its 21-acre suburban campus in Arlington within minutes from our nation’s capital. According to the U.S. News and World Report, Marymount is ranked as the 46th best college and 8th top university for veterans in the South. As one of only three universities to receive the 2011 Professional Identity Award by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) in recognition for its commitment to promoting counselor professional identity, the Department of Counseling offers rich clinical opportunities with human service agencies throughout the Washington metropolitan area.

    Focused on integrating theoretical and research-based knowledge with practical skills in psychotherapy, the M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares graduates for becoming ethical and caring counselors for functioning effectively in a broad range of mental health services. Boasting a 98% pass rate on the NCE examination for graduates wishing to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) in Virginia, the program includes the completion of 60 credits, a 180-hour practicum, and a two-semester 600-hour internship placement to allow students to grow professionally. Regardless of whether students choose to complete the program full-time or part-time, there is also the option of receiving a Master of Arts in Forensic and Legal Psychology concurrently for a greater understanding of criminal justice.

    With full accreditation through the CACREP and the NCATE, the M.A. School Counseling program strives to prepare graduates as effective professionals who are competent in the broad array of clinical, administrative, and consultative roles required at elementary, middle, or secondary school levels. Featuring an intensive hands-on curriculum that combines counseling theories with experiential field placements in area schools, the program requires the completion of at least 60 credits with a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship. With an emphasis on classroom guidance activities, family counseling, career development, peer mediation, and group counseling, the program offers a stimulating classroom atmosphere that fulfills the requirements for licensure as school counselors (PK-12) in the Commonwealth.

    Accreditations

    • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
    • National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
  • Old Dominion University
    Location

    Norfolk, VA

    Since being created in 1930 as a division of the College of William and Mary, Old Dominion University has become an independent public four-year research-driven institution of more than 24,600 students on a 251-acre urban campus in downtown Norfolk. With a reputation for being Virginia’s best forward-focused residential metropolitan research university for high-achieving students, ODU is consistently named as a “Best Southeastern College” by the prestigious Princeton Review. Within the nation’s 70th best education school according to the U.S. News and World Report, the Department of Counseling and Human Services prepares practitioners for providing supportive, educational, and counseling services in a wide range of settings.

    Designed to prepare graduate students to work in all settings where counselors can find employment outside of PreK-12 schools and universities, the M.S.Ed. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program aims to cover a wide range of counseling and human development issues in preparation for obtaining entry-level positions in community-based mental health settings. Within the 60-credit curriculum, students are required to take courses in addictive disorders, counseling supervision, mental health counseling, diagnosis, treatment planning, family systems, psychotherapy, group counseling, lifespan development, professional ethics, career development, and socio-cultural counseling issues. For completion, students also must complete a 100-hour practicum, 600-hour internship, and a comprehensive examination before qualifying to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

    With the goal of preparing students with the knowledge and skills to work as counselors in institutions of higher education in counseling centers, career centers, student services offices, international student offices, and programs for special populations, the M.S.Ed. College Counseling program is focused on the counseling interventions needed to help young adults transition smoothly into the new college campus lifestyle to meet their highest academic, professional, and social potential. Graduates of the program can find a rising number of openings at technical schools, community colleges, four-year universities, vocational services, and employee assistance programs. Individuals seeking to work as student services administrators in colleges or universities can also pursue an M.S.Ed. in Higher Education with a track in Student Affairs.

    Leading to professional licensure as a school counselor through the Virginia State Department of Education and many other state governments, the M.S.Ed. School Counseling program is specifically focused on the knowledge and skills needed to work in elementary, middle, or secondary school levels to meet the needs of students in grades PreK-12. Through the 60-credit curriculum, 100-hour practicum, and 600-hour internship in a local school building, the program prepares graduates to become systemic thinkers, partnership builders, leaders, child advocates, and proactive professionals who help all students achieve at the highest levels. After completing coursework in school counseling, classroom management, learning theories, child psychology, counseling program development, career development, family therapy, and psychotherapy techniques, individuals must complete a written comprehensive exam for graduation.

    For students who already have a master’s degree program in counseling that was accredited by the CACREP, the Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision degree is available to offer the preparation needed for employment as counselor educations in colleges and universities or as supervisory leaders in clinical mental health counseling or school counseling. Comprised of 60 credit hours beyond the master’s degree, the rigorous curriculum includes advanced graduate courses, two doctoral practicums, an internship, teaching experience, and 12 credits of dissertation with a faculty mentor. In order to complete the degree, students must complete all courses in a satisfactory manner, pass a comprehensive examination, and defend an acceptable doctoral dissertation.

    Accreditations

    • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
  • Radford University
    Location

    Radford, VA

    As a mid-size student-centered comprehensive public institution of more than 9,900 diverse students, Radford University is situated on a residential 191-acre urban campus in the New River Valley near the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains within just 36 miles southwest of Roanoke. Consistently named a “Best Valley College” by the prestigious Princeton Review, Radford is ranked as the 32nd best college and 13th top public school in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. With over 31 outstanding academic degree programs, the College of Education and Human Development is dedicated to developing responsive professionals who meet the real needs of people and communities across Virginia.

    Focused on the professional knowledge, skills, values, and practices required to address a wide variety of circumstances within the mental health context, the M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program prepares emerging entry-level counselors with a systemic curriculum based on experiential learning and infused with current counseling-related research. In order to meet the needs of clients from diverse backgrounds and increasingly diverse cultural populations, the program helps graduate students develop a strong professional identity as an ethical and competent counselor. At the conclusion of the 60-credit program, students will receive support through the licensure process and provide unparalleled connections to relevant community mental health partners to obtain post-graduate employment opportunities.

    In an effort to prepare highly trained school counselors who can effectively serve K-12 school populations by assuming in-demand leadership and advocacy roles that promote the development of all students from diverse backgrounds, the M.S. School Counseling program is based on the professional school counseling standards of the state of Virginia and the nation at large. Developed in the ASCA National Model, the curriculum ensures graduates have a strong understanding of the community and institutional practices that support students’ academic, social, emotional, and career development in comprehensive school counseling programs. Students seeking to be licensed by the state at the K-12 grade levels must complete at least 48 credit hours of courses and complete a supervised internship in a local school.

    Accreditations

    • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
  • Regent University
    Location

    Virginia Beach, VA

    Based on a beautiful 70-acre urban campus featuring Georgian-style architecture and high-tech classrooms in Virginia Beach, Regent University is considered one of the nation’s leading private academic institutions for Christian though offering fully accredited degree programs on-campus and online. As one of only 22 universities nationwide to receive an “A” rating by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), Regent is name as one of the country’s military-friendly schools by G.I. Jobs magazine. The School of Psychology & Counseling is dedicated to preparing graduates in a distinctly Christian manner to take their knowledge into every corner of the world to find resolutions to the problems of human living.

    Ideal for graduate students seeking preparation for subsequent career positions within public human services agencies, private practices, and mental health facilities as well as those aspiring to pursue a doctoral degree with further study, the M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counselor program is offered with professional counselor licensure eligibility. Through the 60-credit accredited curriculum, the program integrates today’s contemporary counseling techniques with a firm Biblical foundation to achieve a spiritual balance in counseling practices. Although the program is traditionally offered entirely on-campus, there is now the option to pursue the degree online with minimal residency requirements in just two years full-time.

    Structured to develop school counselors who provide leadership in the integration of sound and ethical clinical practice infused with Biblically based values, the M.A. School Counseling program is focused on preparing graduates for finding positions in elementary, middle, and high school settings to enhance K-12 students’ success. Featuring 100 clock hours of practicum and 600 clock hours of multi-semester internship experience, the program requires the completion of 60 credit hours in as little as two years full-time. With the option to pursue the degree on-campus or online with minimal residency requirements, the program consists of coursework in human growth, family systems, helping relationships, cultural foundations, group dynamics, research, appraisal, career development, personality theories, and professional ethics.

    With a prescribed progression of coursework fully accredited for excellence by the CACREP, the Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision program is designed for currently licensed counselors with an accredited master’s degree who are motivated to obtain a higher level of professional competency in the field. Featuring a dual emphasis with strong Biblical foundations, the program trains educators to teach counseling on university campuses and develops the advanced clinical skills to enhance the practice of professional counselors. While the 66-credit program can be completed in as little as three years completely online, the curriculum does require three one-week residencies on-campus to build a stronger sense of community for maximizing teambuilding abilities.

    Accreditations

    • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
  • University of Virginia
    Location

    Charlottesville, VA

    First established in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as a distinctive major public research institution rooted in the liberal arts, the University of Virginia is home to more than 23,450 students on a vast 1,682-acre urban campus in Charlottesville in the heart of Albemarle County. Recently named the #1 “Best College Buy” among national public universities by Forbes magazine, UVA is ranked as the 23rd best college, 2nd top public school, and 25th top value university in the country by the U.S. News and World Report. As home to the university’s counselor education program, the Curry School of Education is also nationally acclaimed for being the 22nd best graduate education school in the United States.

    With full approval by the Virginia Department of Education, the M.Ed. School Counseling program is available to prepare students to become accountable and competent school counselors to promote the academic, personal, career, and social development of PreK-16 youth throughout the state. Offered in a full-time format with classroom-based courses at the UVA main campus in Charlottesville, the program is designed to be completed in just two calendar years for a total of 33 major credit hours and 18 credit hours of courses specific to school counseling. For completion, graduate students must also complete a 100-hour school-based practicum, 600-hour internship placement, and a professional portfolio. Graduates are eligible for Virginia licensure with endorsement in counselor education without the need for a teaching license.

  • Virginia Commonwealth University
    Location

    Richmond, VA

    With a total headcount of over 31,000 students pursuing more than 220 academic degree programs, Virginia Commonwealth University is the state’s premier public research institution with a learner-centered environment on its 144-acre downtown campus in the state’s capital and fourth largest city at Richmond. In the nation’s top 100 research rankings by the National Science Foundation, VCU is currently ranked as the 167th best college, 92nd top public school, 14th best up-and-coming university, and 39th top college for veterans in America by the U.S. News and World Report. Within the country’s 30th best graduate education school, the Department of Counselor Education is dedicated to excellence in the initial preparation of professionals in the counseling field with first-rate clinical experiences.

    Intended for aspiring counselors who wish to work in higher education institutions and community-based agencies throughout Virginia, the M.Ed. College Student Development and Counseling program provides graduate students with the highly specialized knowledge and skills needed to obtain employment as student affairs professionals. Whether individuals are interested in working in admissions, residence life, career services, academic advisement, registration, or any other student support office in higher education, the program provides important learning opportunities for working with young adults through one of life’s biggest transitions. Graduates will need to complete at least 48 credits of coursework with a 600-hour internship on an approved college campus for completion of the degree.

    Leading to state licensure as a school counselor and preparation for advanced graduate work at the post-master’s level, the M.Ed. School Counseling program track is designed specifically for individuals wishing to work in elementary, middle, and high school settings to assist educators and administrators in meeting the needs of diverse K-12 students. As a 48-credit program that requires a minimum of two full years of study to complete, the curriculum covers core courses in human development, learning theories, counseling techniques, group procedures, career exploration, assessment, multicultural counseling, and academic leadership. Individuals also receive the valuable opportunity to participate in 600 clock hours of actual work experience in a supervised internship within an elementary, middle, or high school during the school year.

    Founded with the primary purpose of preparing highly skilled and motivated individuals to become scholars of practice in the educational arena of counselor education, the Ph.D. in Education with a Counselor Education track provides exceptional opportunities for students to build on their own life experiences to better understand advanced study practices. With a unique emphasis on social justice and advocacy, the track is focused on preparing individuals for successful careers as counselor educators, supervisors, clinical researchers, and leaders in the counseling profession. Requiring at least 55 hours of advanced coursework with 48 hours of CACREP-accredited master’s counseling coursework, the program is designed for both full and part-time students with convenient evening courses to accommodate working schedules. All doctoral students participate in mandatory co-curricular activities addressed in CACREP standards, including attending counseling conferences, being involved in faculty research, submitting manuscripts for publication, and supervising master’s level students.

    Accreditations

    • Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
    • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

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