Counseling (M.S.Ed.)
This program prepares counselors for professional practice in all settings. The core course work covers a range of counseling and human development issues including approaches to individual and group counseling; ethical and professional issues in counseling; fundamentals of the counseling profession; counseling ethics; measurement and evaluation in counseling; lifespan and career development; research in counseling; and social and cultural issues. In addition, students select one of two specializations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling.
Counseling (M.S.Ed.)
Description
What is Counseling at ODU like?
This program prepares counselors for professional practice in all settings. The core course work covers a range of counseling and human development issues including approaches to individual and group counseling; ethical and professional issues in counseling; fundamentals of the counseling profession; counseling ethics; measurement and evaluation in counseling; lifespan and career development; research in counseling; and social and cultural issues. In addition, students select one of two specializations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling.
Program Highlights
What makes Counseling at ODU unique?
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Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP).
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Clinical Mental Health specialization graduates meet the educational requirements to pursue the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Virginia.
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School Counseling specialization graduates meet requirements for the Virginia Licensed School Counselor credential.
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School Counseling specialization graduates who complete electives in diagnosis, addictions, and family dynamics can also meet requirements for both the LPC and the Licensed School Counselor credentials.
AT A GLANCE
College / School:
Major:
Education
Degree Level:
Graduate
Delivery Mode(s):
On-Campus
Degree Earned:
Master of Science in Education
Department:
Careers
What are some careers in this field?
Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors
$58,620
MEDIAN SALARY
Counsel individuals and provide group educational and vocational guidance services.
Mental Health Counselors
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MEDIAN SALARY
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Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
MEDIAN SALARY
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
Marriage and Family Therapists
$53,860
MEDIAN SALARY
Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.
Employers
Graduates from this major have gone to work at
Ocean Lakes High School (Virginia Beach, VA), LGBT Life Center (Norfolk, VA), Norfolk Collegiate School (Norfolk, VA), Optima Health (Virginia Beach, VA)
Courses
What are some courses offered in Counseling at ODU?
COUN 601:
Principles of Professional Counseling and Ethics
Aligned with a spiral approach to learning, students will be introduced to theory, practice, methods, basic principles, and concepts used by counselors in educational settings and community agencies. In subsequent courses, these topics will be revisited in depth. The course will emphasize professional and ethical issues related to counseling.
COUN 645:
Testing and Client Assessment
This course examines individual and group approaches to formal and informal assessment techniques, including diagnosis. It includes an examination of: the history of assessment; basic test statistics; test worthiness (reliability, validity, and cross-cultural issues); the selection, administration, and interpretation of assessment instruments; and ethical and legal issues relative to assessment. The focus of this class is on major concepts and principles of psychological testing and evaluation and use of standardized instruments with differing populations. Pre- or corequisites: COUN 633.
COUN 655:
Social and Cultural Issues in Counseling
Designed to engage helping professionals in cultural self-awareness and the search for solutions to disparities in society through counseling work. Emphasis on the social identities of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, ability, class, sexual orientation, and age. Prerequisites: Admission to counseling graduate program or graduate program director approval and COUN 601.
Requirements
What are the requirements to apply for Counseling at ODU?
Students entering the Master of Science in Education program in Counseling should meet the minimum university admission requirements (Graduate Admission)
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
GRE Scores
Two Letters of Recommendation
Cost
Tuition and Fees
Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.
Virginia Resident
Per Credit:
$ 571
Non-Resident
Per Credit:
$ 1,394
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Per Credit:
$ 595
Ways to Save
Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial aid
Assistantships
Counseling master’s degree students are sometimes awarded assistantships in various ODU 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.
Next Steps
I like this program. What are the next steps?
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Contact
Need help applying?
Meet Your Enrollment Team
Our enrollment coordinators are ready to help you through the admissions process.
Human Services Program Director
Name:
Jennifer Simmons
Location:
2130 EDUCATION BUILDING, NORFOLK, VA, 23529
Email:
Office:
757-683-4722
Human Services Online Program Director
Name:
Mark Rehfuss
Location:
2107 EDUCATION BUILDING, NORFOLK, VA, 23529
Email:
Office:
757-683-5511
Graduate Admissions
Location:
1000 Rollins Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone Office:
757-683-3685
Fax:
757-683-6512
Email:
gradadmit@odu.edu
International Admissions
Location:
2101 Dragas Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone Office:
757-683-3701
Fax:
757-683-3651
Email:
intladm@odu.edu
Related Programs
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