Counselor Education

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Counseling is a unique helping profession based on social and behavioral sciences. Professional counselors help individuals grow and develop to their full potential by assisting clients who may have mental illness. The professional positions that students prepare for require individuals who are people-oriented, patient, good communicators, tolerate ambiguity and who can handle themselves in unclear interpersonal situations that can be addressed in multiple ways. The degree programs in counselor education are the master’s (M.Ed.), education specialist (Ed.S.), and doctorate (Ed.D. and Ph.D.). Graduate study in counselor education provides opportunities to acquire a depth of knowledge in theories of counseling, group dynamics, interpersonal relations, human behavior dynamics, and research procedures. Most counselor education courses are available only to counselor education majors. Some courses such as EDHS 733, 824, 828, and 834 may be taken by other students with the instructor’s permission.

Counselor education programs are designed for students preparing to fulfill client services roles in a variety of work settings. The entry-level programs (master’s and educational specialists degrees) require a minimum of 36-60 credits (see the brief descriptions below) and are designed to prepare students for client services positions in schools, community, mental health, and human services agencies, and institutions of higher education. The combined M.Ed./Ed.S. degree in mental health counseling requires 60 credits, including 48 credits from the master’s program. The doctoral degree in counselor education requires a minimum of 57 credits (including doctoral internship and dissertation credits) above the master’s degree.

The Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA), has conferred accreditation to the entry-level degree programs in mental health and school counseling and to the doctoral programs in counselor education at the University of Virginia.

Brief descriptions of the counselor education program options are below; additional information is available from the Counselor Education Program, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400269, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4269 or the department web site.

Counselor Education Program Options

Mental Health Counseling

The option prepares students to provide mental health counseling in a variety of settings. This program option offers a comprehensive array of studies, which integrates the historical, philosophical, societal, cultural, economic, and political dimensions of mental health counseling with the roles, functions, and professional identity of professional counselors. Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental and emotional disorders are included in the coursework. Students will be awarded the M.Ed. and the Ed.S. degrees upon completion of the Mental Health Counseling program. The Mental Health Counseling program requires a minimum of 60 (core, specialty, elective) credits. Students must be enrolled on a full-time basis (including the following Summer Session between their first and second years) through the Spring Semester of the second year.

School Counseling

The program option is designed for the preparation of professional counselors to work in public schools grades pre-K through 12. It is broadly based and interdisciplinary in nature. This program option offers a comprehensive array of studies, which integrates the historical, philosophical, societal, cultural, economic, and political dimensions of school counseling with the roles, functions, and professional identity of professional counselors in school settings. Effectiveness in school settings requires skills in working with individuals and groups, functioning as a school team member, and consulting with teachers and parents. Students complete field experiences at two different school levels.

Student Affairs Practice in Higher Education

The program option prepares students for positions as student personnel professionals in post secondary educational institutions. The program is built on the concept that counseling and student services are basic components of the total student development program in post-secondary schools. This option is designed for students who plan to use their training in a variety of student affairs positions (i.e., Admissions, Orientation, Career Planning and Placement, Dean of Students Office, Residence Life, Student Activities, Athletic Advising and Academic Advising). Students take required and elective courses offered by both the Counselor Education Program and the Curry Center for the Study of Higher Education.

Counselor Education and Supervision

The doctoral degree programs in counselor education are designed to prepare graduates to be counselor educators and supervisors and to assume positions of leadership in agencies, schools, and institutions that provide counseling services. This option emphasizes the knowledge and skills necessary for counselor educators and counseling supervisors. This option is built on the CACREP standards for the Entry-Level programs and it is assumed that students already have a master’s degree reflecting the CACREP required courses and successful clinical experience.