About this Program
³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ offers a Master of Science in Education in Counseling with a concentration in School Counseling. The 60-credit on-campus program in Norfolk, Virginia prepares students to practice as professional school counselors in K-12 educational settings and to meet the licensure requirements for the Virginia Department of Education's Pupil Personnel Services School Counselor endorsement.
The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and is built around the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model. Students receive didactic and experiential instruction across the ASCA Model's four components (Define, Manage, Deliver, Assess) and three themes (Equity, Leadership, Advocacy).
Graduates pursue Virginia Licensed School Counselor (LSC) credentialing and, with elective coursework in diagnosis, addictions, and family dynamics, can also meet the educational requirements for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential; a rare dual-credential pathway. Applications are accepted for fall (deadline February 1) and spring (deadline October 1) entry.
CACREP Accreditation: What It Means for You
³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's School Counseling program is CACREP-accredited. For school counseling students, this matters for three practical reasons:
- Virginia licensure pathway. CACREP graduation is the cleanest path to meeting the Virginia Department of Education's educational requirements for the Pupil Personnel Services School Counselor endorsement.
- Out-of-state portability. Most state departments of education recognize CACREP-accredited counseling programs as meeting the educational requirement for school counselor licensure. If you may relocate during or after the program, CACREP graduation removes the largest credential-portability obstacle.
- Employer recognition. Many school divisions, particularly larger systems and competitive districts, prefer or require CACREP-accredited program graduates for school counselor positions.
Out-of-State Licensure
Because ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's program is CACREP-accredited, graduates can pursue school counselor licensure in most states. Specific requirements vary but CACREP graduation eliminates the educational-program gap that non-CACREP graduates often face.
CACREP Accreditation: What It Means for You
³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's School Counseling program is CACREP-accredited. For school counseling students, this matters for three practical reasons:
- Virginia licensure pathway. CACREP graduation is the cleanest path to meeting the Virginia Department of Education's educational requirements for the Pupil Personnel Services School Counselor endorsement.
- Out-of-state portability. Most state departments of education recognize CACREP-accredited counseling programs as meeting the educational requirement for school counselor licensure. If you may relocate during or after the program, CACREP graduation removes the largest credential-portability obstacle.
- Employer recognition. Many school divisions, particularly larger systems and competitive districts, prefer or require CACREP-accredited program graduates for school counselor positions.
Out-of-State Licensure
Because ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's program is CACREP-accredited, graduates can pursue school counselor licensure in most states. Specific requirements vary but CACREP graduation eliminates the educational-program gap that non-CACREP graduates often face.
Program Highlights
-
CACREP-accredited counseling program. Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This enables Virginia LSC licensure and broad out-of-state portability.
-
Meets Virginia Licensed School Counselor requirements. Graduates meet the educational requirements for the Virginia Licensed School Counselor (LSC) credential through the Virginia Department of Education's Pupil Personnel Services School Counselor endorsement.
-
ASCA National Model training. Students receive didactic and experiential instruction in the American School Counselor Association National Model; the central professional framework for K-12 school counseling practice.
-
Dual credential pathway (LSC + LPC). Graduates who complete electives in diagnosis, addictions, and family dynamics can meet the requirements for both the Virginia Licensed School Counselor and the Licensed Professional Counselor credentials.
-
No GRE required. Admission is based on undergraduate transcripts, resume, essay, and letters of recommendation. GRE scores are not required.
-
Evening courses for working students. Courses are offered in late afternoons and evenings to accommodate students balancing work and studies. The program offers full-time and part-time enrollment.
-
Hampton Roads K-12 placement network. Field experience placements span Norfolk Public Schools, Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Chesapeake Public Schools, Portsmouth Public Schools, and partner private schools across Hampton Roads.
-
Study abroad opportunities. International study abroad opportunities are available as part of select coursework.
Practicum & Internship Structure
Practicum is the first supervised field experience. Students complete 100 total practicum hours in a K-12 setting, with at least 40 of those hours providing direct services to students. Practicum students work under the supervision of a school site supervisor (typically a Virginia LSC-credentialed school counselor with at least two years of post-credential experience) and meet weekly with an ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ faculty supervisor in a small-group practicum class.
Internship follows practicum. Students complete 600 total internship hours in a K-12 setting, with at least 240 of those hours providing direct student services. The internship site must be CACREP-eligible and the on-site supervisor must hold an active school counselor credential with at least two years of post-credential experience.
³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's Department of Counseling & Human Services partners with school divisions across Hampton Roads for K-12 field placements. Placement settings include:
- Norfolk Public Schools (elementary, middle, and high school placements)
- Virginia Beach City Public Schools
- Chesapeake Public Schools
- Portsmouth Public Schools
- Hampton City Schools
- Newport News Public Schools
- Private schools across Hampton Roads
Practicum is the first supervised field experience. Students complete 100 total practicum hours in a K-12 setting, with at least 40 of those hours providing direct services to students. Practicum students work under the supervision of a school site supervisor (typically a Virginia LSC-credentialed school counselor with at least two years of post-credential experience) and meet weekly with an ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ faculty supervisor in a small-group practicum class.
Internship follows practicum. Students complete 600 total internship hours in a K-12 setting, with at least 240 of those hours providing direct student services. The internship site must be CACREP-eligible and the on-site supervisor must hold an active school counselor credential with at least two years of post-credential experience.
³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's Department of Counseling & Human Services partners with school divisions across Hampton Roads for K-12 field placements. Placement settings include:
- Norfolk Public Schools (elementary, middle, and high school placements)
- Virginia Beach City Public Schools
- Chesapeake Public Schools
- Portsmouth Public Schools
- Hampton City Schools
- Newport News Public Schools
- Private schools across Hampton Roads
Featured Courses
Requirements
Applicants may hold a bachelor’s degree in any field and must submit the following:
-
Online application at the Office of Graduate Admissions website
-
Current resume
-
Essay
-
Official Transcripts
-
Two Letters of Recommendation
Virginia Licensed School Counselor Pathway
Graduates pursuing Virginia LSC licensure through the Virginia Department of Education complete:
- Completion of a state-approved master's program (³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's CACREP-accredited program meets this requirement)
- Passing scores on the Praxis II School Counselor exam (Test 5421)
- Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA) — required for initial Virginia teaching/educator licensure if not already held
- Fingerprint clearance and background check
- Submission of the Pupil Personnel Services endorsement application to VDOE
Careers
Most graduates pursue Virginia LSC licensure and K-12 school counselor positions.
Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. May help individuals deal with issues associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging.
Counsel individuals and provide group educational and vocational guidance services.
Alumni Careers
Faculty Research & Mentorship
³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's School Counseling program is coordinated by Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott. Dr. Goodman-Scott is among the most cited researchers in school counseling globally, with active research programs in:
- Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in school counseling
- Integration of school counseling with special education and Response to Intervention (RTI)
- ASCA National Model implementation and program evaluation
- School counselor preparation, supervision, and continuing professional development
Dr. Goodman-Scott is a documented contributor to the ASCA National Model itself. Her scholarly work shapes the framework that the program teaches; students working with her engage with the originating thinking on the central professional model of contemporary school counseling.
Cost of Attendance
Tuition is charged per credit hour. Amounts shown are tuition only and do not include mandatory fees, technology-delivered course fees, course-specific fees, books, housing, meal plans, or other costs. Campus-based students may take technology-delivered or online courses. Tuition is based on student classification. Fees for technology-delivered courses and other costs are listed on the ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ tuition and fees page.
Ways to Fund Your Degree
There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.
Assistantships
Counseling master’s degree students are sometimes awarded assistantships in various ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ offices including Academic Skills, Financial Aid, Office of Intercultural Relations, Resident Life, Student Activities, Student Development, Student Health Services, Student Life, and Vice President of Student Services. Students interesting in obtaining an assistantship should apply directly to offices on campus that have assistantships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The program is CACREP-accredited and meets the educational requirements for the Virginia Department of Education's Pupil Personnel Services School Counselor endorsement. Graduates take the Praxis II School Counselor exam (Test 5421) and complete fingerprinting and the VDOE endorsement application to obtain Virginia LSC credentials.
Yes. Because the program is CACREP-accredited, graduates can pursue school counselor licensure in most states. Specific state requirements vary (most require state-specific exam passage and state board application) but CACREP graduation meets the educational-program requirement in nearly every state.
The ASCA National Model is the central professional framework for K-12 school counseling, developed by the American School Counselor Association. It defines what comprehensive school counseling programs look like and what professional school counselors do. ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's curriculum is built around the ASCA Model and the program coordinator, Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott, is a documented contributor to the model itself.
No. ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ does not require GRE scores for admission to the School Counseling program. Admission is based on undergraduate transcripts, resume, essay, and two letters of recommendation.
New students may begin in the fall (application deadline February 1) or spring semester (application deadline October 1).
No. The M.S.Ed. in School Counseling is delivered on-campus only at ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's Norfolk campus. Evening courses accommodate working students.
The program is Full-time students typically complete the program in 2.5-3 years including practicum and internship. Part-time students typically complete in 3-4 years.
CACREP standards require 100 practicum hours (with at least 40 hours of direct student services) and 600 internship hours (with at least 240 hours of direct services). All clinical hours are completed in K-12 settings under qualified school counselor site supervision plus ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ faculty supervision.
Yes, through the dual credential pathway. Graduates who complete electives in diagnosis, addictions, and family dynamics meet the educational requirements for both the Virginia Licensed School Counselor and the Licensed Professional Counselor credentials.
Tuition costs vary by program and are subject to change. Visit the Current Tuition Rates page for the most up-to-date tuition information.
Take the Next Step
