This 15-credit certificate is designed for individuals who possess a master's degree in counseling with a desire to complete post-graduate coursework to meet licensure requirements as a Virginia Professional School Counselor or Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor. Applicants should review licensure requirements for becoming a Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor and verify course equivalency with the Virginia Board of Counseling (see Board of Counseling content area list online).
Available Concentrations
Concentration in School Counseling (Post-Master's)
This 15-credit concentration is designed for individuals who possess a master's degree in counseling and seek 15 credits of post-graduate coursework to meet licensure requirements as a Virginia Professional School Counselor.
Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Post-Master's)
This 15-credit concentration is designed for individuals who possess a master's degree in counseling and seek 15 credits of post-graduate coursework to meet licensure requirements as a Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor. Applicants should review licensure requirements for becoming a Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor and verify course equivalency with the Virginia Board of Counseling (see Board of Counseling content area list online).
Admissions
Applicants must have an earned Master’s in Counseling with a primary focus in Community Agency/Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling; other applicable areas of counseling considered upon review.
Policies
Individuals interested in pursuing a license in school counseling or as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) should submit a full application. This is a competitive and holistic process in which the faculty will conduct a full transcript review and admissions interview.
For policies governing all graduate certificates, see AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates.
In addition to coursework, students in Virginia Department of Education licensure pathways must complete additional licensure requirements to fulfill graduation requirements. See Degree Requirements.
Certificate Requirements
Total credits: 15
This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.
Concentration in School Counseling (Post Master’s) (SCPM)
Students who complete the Concentration in School Counseling Post Master’s (SCPM) Program meet the Virginia Department of Education criteria for an approved Certificate in School Counseling.
Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDCD 606 | Counseling Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| EDCD 612 | Counselor Professional Identity, Function, and Ethics | 3 |
| EDCD 614 | Foundations, Principles, and Practices of School Counseling | 3 |
| EDCD 791 | Internship in Counseling | 3 |
| Choose additional 3 credits from any EDCD prefixed course with certificate coordinator approval. | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Note: Substitutions allowed with certificate coordinator approval.
Licensure Requirements
Students enrolled in the licensure concentration (SCPM) must successfully complete the following licensure requirement to complete the program. This requirement must be satisfied before graduation:
- Emergency First Aid, Hands-on CPR and AED certification or training
Licensure testing requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.
Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Post Master’s) (CHPM)
Students who have a master’s degree in Counseling and who complete the Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Post Master’s) (CHPM) Program may use the coursework to meet the Virginia Board of Counseling criteria to become a Resident in Counseling (RiC).
Coursework
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDCD 605 | Introduction to Counseling Skills | 3 |
| EDCD 652 | Introduction to Addictions Counseling | 3 |
| EDCD 656 | Diagnosis and Treatment Planning for Mental Health Professionals | 3 |
| EDCD 658 | Couples and Family Counseling | 3 |
| EDCD 791 | Internship in Counseling | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Note: Substitutions allowed with certificate coordinator approval.