Academic Catalog

2025-2026

Master of Science in Education Counseling with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MSEd)

Overview

The master’s degree program offers a curriculum that emphasizes the following core components: professional orientation and ethical practice; social and cultural diversity; human growth and development; career development; helping relationships; group work; assessment; and research and program evaluation. The MSEd in counseling includes two concentration areas: Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling. 

Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduates meet the educational requirements to pursue the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Virginia. Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduates will be prepared to work in community mental health settings, college counseling centers, hospital-based behavioral health programs, the criminal justice field, veterans' mental health, and private practice.  The clinical mental health counseling concentration includes courses in substance abuse counseling, family dynamics, diagnosis and psychopathology, and clinical supervision. Additionally, evidence-based practice, assessment and diagnosis, the role of the counselor in health care, and client and population-centered advocacy are emphasized in the clinical mental health concentration.

Linked Program Information

There is a linked program available to qualified students under existing university policy to link the Bachelor of Science with a major in Human Services undergraduate program with the Master of Science in Education (Counseling with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling) graduate program.  See program director for additional details.