M.Ed. in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Our 60-credit CAECREP-accredited curriculum emphasizes quality-first preparation and a unified professional counselor identity. Courses provide a broad foundation in counseling theory and technique while developing the specialized knowledge and skills required for clinical mental health practice, including diagnosis, treatment planning and evidence-based interventions. Course highlights include Crisis Intervention and Trauma-Informed Care and Psychopharmocology.

Students complete a 100-hour practicum (one semester) and 600 hours of internship (over two semesters). Clinical placements are tailored to students’ interests and career goals and may include community mental health agencies, hospitals, college counseling centers, private practices and specialized treatment settings.

During the Program:

Students complete all required coursework (60 credit hours) and supervised clinical experiences. In the final semester, students are eligible to sit for the NCE or NCMHCE through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Our curriculum fulfills all classroom and clinical instruction requirements for licensure as a Professional Counselor in Virginia and most other states, as well as certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NCC).

After Graduation:

Virginia licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) requires a master’s degree, 60 hours of graduate coursework, a 3,400-hour post-master's clinical residency (approximately 2 years), and successful completion of the licensure examination. Graduates work under supervision toward full licensure while employed in clinical settings.

Interstate Practice:

With the launch of the Counseling Compact in 2024, licensed counselors can now practice across state lines in participating states, offering unprecedented flexibility for graduates seeking to serve clients in multiple locations.

Our graduates are well-prepared and highly sought after in the mental health field. Alumni work in diverse settings, including community mental health agencies, hospital behavioral health units, college counseling centers, substance abuse treatment facilities, employee assistance programs and private practice. Many graduates advance to clinical director and supervisory roles. The small size of our program ensures extensive interaction with faculty, providing students with both the skills and confidence to perform their challenging and vital role in the mental health workforce.

Application materials include your unofficial transcript(s),a personal statement, a resume/CV, and three recommendations. We encourage prospective students to begin an application, as the portal provides a clear overview of all application requirements, including the personal statement prompt.

All of our on-campus programs in School Psychology and Counseling Education (SPACE) invite top candidates to interview as part of the admission criteria. Interviews are held via Zoom.

Looking for the application deadline? See our Deadlines & Decisions page.

Students may apply for federal financial aid by completing the FAFSA. If you have questions about your financial aid package, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@wm.edu.

All applicants are automatically considered for available scholarships, and recipients will be notified directly if selected for an award.

Some assistantships are available each year for students in the Master's in Counseling programs. The School of Education gives priority to doctoral applicants when awarding assistantships before considering master's students. Applicants can indicate their interest in being considered for an assistantship directly within the application by selecting the appropriate checkbox and responding to a few questions about their relevant skills and experience.