M.Ed. in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Military & Veterans

Beyond the clinical mental health core, students complete military-focused elective courses and a specialized internship working directly with military and veteran populations. The curriculum emphasizes cultural responsiveness, social justice and the unique risk and protective factors affecting service members and their families.

Students complete a 100-hour practicum (one semester) and a 600-hour internship (over two semesters) that includes direct work with military-connected clients. Clinical placements may include VA medical centers, Vet Centers, military installations, community mental health agencies and organizations serving veterans and their families.

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). The CACREP-accredited foundation of this program ensures graduates meet requirements for licensure in most states and are competitive for positions with the VA and Department of Defense.

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.

Graduates work in VA medical centers, Vet Centers, military installations, community mental health agencies, private practice and veteran service organizations. The specialized training prepares graduates for competitive positions within the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense and civilian agencies serving military populations. Alumni also work in college counseling centers serving student veterans and in employee assistance programs supporting military families.

Application materials include your unofficial transcript(s), a personal statement,a resume/CV, andthree 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.