Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Master's Program
- Master of Science in Education
- Darden College of Education & Professional Studies
- Department of Counseling & Human Services
Program Highlights
- CACREP Accredited
- Includes 700 hours of practical experience
- GRE not required to apply
Why ODU for Counseling?
In this master's program, you will complete core counseling courses that address professional identity, groupwork, theory, skills, social diversity, career development, assessment, and research.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration helps graduates meet the educational requirements to pursue the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Virginia.
Our faculty include multiple American Counseling Association award winners who are active in the field and their specialty organizations. With a dedicated focus on social justice and equity issues, our courses will develop your cultural awareness and advocacy skills.
The capstone experience is a three-semester, 700-hour practical requirement where you will work in the field under the supervision of a senior counselor.
This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP), www.cacrep.org.
This cohort-based program can be completed as a full-time student. When you graduate, you will earn a Master of Science in Education in counseling with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling.
Want to learn more? Contact us!
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Required Courses
- 60 credit hours, including internship and practicum
You will take core courses in counseling as well as more specific clinical mental health coursework. This includes 700 hours of practical experience under the supervision of a senior counselor. Our faculty can help you identify field placements in your area of residence suited to your interests or career development.
Courses that are specific to the clinical mental health concentration include:
- Substance abuse counseling
- Family dynamics
- Diagnosis and psychopathology
- Clinical supervision
You will also learn about evidence-based practice, the role of the counselor in health care, and client- and population-centered advocacy.
View Plans of Study:
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Online Learning Environment
Access course materials online from any location. Some classes will have live, regular online meeting times, while others will not. Instructors may schedule assignments and exams at specific times. This program requires a practicum or internship. All courses follow ODU's regular academic calendar.
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Calculating Cost
- In-state Virginia Residents
- $620 per credit hour*
- Out-of-state Students
- $642 per credit hour
Rates are effective Fall 2024 and subject to change.
* In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met. -
Scholarship & Aid
Scholarship Opportunities
Social Good Scholarship: We applaud and lift our students who make a positive impact on their communities, such as teachers, counselors, law enforcement, and librarians. Recipients are awarded $1,000 in the first semester of enrollment.
Learn more about the Social Good Scholarship
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Careers
Our Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduates are prepared to work in:
- Private practice
- Outpatient psychotherapy programs
- Community mental health settings
- College counseling centers
- Hospital-based integrated behavioral health programs
- The criminal justice field
- Military and veterans' mental health
State Licensure
This MSEd in counseling with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling helps graduates meet the educational requirements to pursue the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential in Virginia. The Virginia Board of Counseling also requires candidates to pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam and complete residency under a qualified clinical supervisor.
If you are seeking the LPC credential to work in a different state, we encourage you to check your state's requirements before applying to ODU.
Meet Your Team
You'll have a dedicated academic advisor for this program.
Contact us if you have questions about admission requirements, transferring credits, or application deadlines.
Ready to get started?
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How to Apply
To apply to this program, you must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.8 GPA. You will also submit:
- An essay about your goals for being a professional counselor
- Two letters of recommendation that speak to your academic and professional readiness
- Official transcripts from all previous universities
GRE is not required. For full details on admission criteria, please visit the department's website.
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Want to get started now?
You may be able to take up to four courses (12 credit hours) as a non-degree graduate student, before you are accepted into a specific degree program.
Please contact us to discuss this option with an expert advisor.