School Counseling (Counseling, M.S.Ed.)
This program prepares students to practice as professional school counselors in K-12 educational settings and meets the school counseling licensing requirements in Virginia. The School Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Additionally, students can expect to receive training on the American School Counselor Association National Model through didactic and experiential instruction.
School Counseling (Counseling, M.S.Ed.)
Description
What is School Counseling at ODU like?
This program prepares students to practice as professional school counselors in K-12 educational settings and meets the school counseling licensing requirements in Virginia. The School Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Additionally, students can expect to receive training on the American School Counselor Association National Model through didactic and experiential instruction.
Program Highlights
What makes School Counseling at ODU unique?
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Elect to take courses as a full-time or part-time student
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Courses are offered in the late-afternoons and evenings to accommodate students with multiple responsibilities
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Study abroad opportunities available internationally as part of your coursework
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Graduates meet requirements for the Virginia Licensed School Counselor credential
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Graduates who complete electives in diagnosis, addictions, and family dynamics can also meet requirements for both the Licensed Professional Counselor and the Licensed School Counselor credentials
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Accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP)
AT A GLANCE
College / School:
Major:
Counseling
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
MEDIAN SALARY
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.
Employers
Graduates from this major have gone to work at
Ocean Lakes High School (Virginia Beach, VA), Norfolk Collegiate School (Norfolk, VA), Deep Creek Central Elementary (Chesapeake, VA)
Courses
What are some courses offered in School Counseling at ODU?
COUN 642:
Structured Counseling Groups
This course is designed to prepare students to facilitate structured counseling groups for children and adolescents primarily in the K-12 school setting. CACREP Required Content: GROUP WORK - studies that provide both theoretical and experiential understandings of group purpose, development, dynamics, theories, methods, skills, and other group approaches in a multicultural society, including all of the following: (a) principles of group dynamics, including group process components, developmental stage theories, group members' roles and behaviors, and therapeutic factors of group work; (b) group leadership or facilitation styles and approaches, including characteristics of various types of group leaders and leadership styles; (c) theories of group counseling, including commonalities, distinguishing characteristics, and pertinent research and literature; and (d) group counseling methods, including group counselor orientations and behaviors, appropriate selection criteria and methods, and methods of evaluation of effectiveness. Students will be required to complete 30 hours of fieldwork with K-12 aged youth, preferably in a school setting. Prerequisites: Admission to Counseling graduate program or graduate program director approval; COUN 601, COUN 633, COUN 650 and COUN 678.
COUN 676:
Professional Issues in School Counseling K-12
A professional seminar that emphasizes the contemporary role of the school counselor as leader and advocate in delivering school counseling programs to all students. Emphasis is placed on acquiring the awareness, knowledge and skills necessary to negotiate the cultural, educational, and contextual forces that impact the lives and academic achievement of students in a pluralistic society. Twenty hours of observation in a school is required. Completion of a background check is required prior to commencing the field placement. In addition, students are also required to attend a one-day program on a pre-determined date during the semester. Prerequisites: Admission to the Counseling Graduate Program or graduate director approval.
COUN 678:
Counseling Children and Adolescents in School Settings
This course will provide an overview of theories and techniques of counseling children and adolescents in school settings. Emphasis will be placed upon the counselor's role as a facilitator of normal developmental processes to promote academic success. Prerequisites: Admission to the Counseling graduate program or graduate director approval; COUN 601, COUN 633, and COUN 650.
Requirements
What are the requirements to apply for School Counseling at ODU?
Students entering the Master of Science in Education program in School 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
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.
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
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