Counseling, MEd Concentration in School Counseling PK-12

The School Counseling concentration prepares counselors for positions in public or private elementary, middle, or secondary schools.

Graduates qualify for Virginia Department of Education licensure as a School Counselor for all grades, PreK-12. The degree must be completed within six years of enrollment.

To obtain a VA School Counseling license, students must:

Complete our School Counseling program to receive a provisional license (As and Bs in all course work required) through the CEHD Licensure Specialist office or school districts.
Complete two years of full-time work as a school counselor to be granted a professional license.

Grading Policy: Students enrolled in this degree program must earn a B or higher in counseling courses and in all licensure coursework, including practicum and internship courses. Students are permitted to repeat a course only once.

Core Requirements (40 credits)

EDCD 525: Advanced Human Growth and Development (3 credits)

EDCD 601: Introduction to Research in Counseling (3 credits)

EDCD 602: Foundations in Counseling (3 credits)

EDCD 603: Counseling Theories and Practice (3 credits)

EDCD 604: Assessment and Appraisal in Counseling (3 credits)

EDCD 606: Counseling Children and Adolescents (3 credits)

EDCD 608: Group Processes and Analyses (4 credits)

EDCD 609: Counseling Skills and Strategies for Adults (3 credits)

EDCD 610: Career and Educational Counseling (3 credits)

EDCD 619: Trauma and Crisis Counseling (3 credits)

EDCD 628: Counseling and Social Justice (3 credits)

EDCD 656: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning for Mental Health Professionals (3 credits)

EDCD 660: Multicultural Counseling (3 credits)

Concentration in School Counseling Requirements (20 credits)

EDCD 611: Introduction to Ethical and Legal Issues in School Counseling (3 credits)

EDCD 613: Introduction to School Counseling (3 credits)

EDCD 626: Principles and Practices of School Counseling (3 credits)

EDCD 751: Practicum in School Counseling (3 credits)

EDCD 794: Internship in School Counseling I (3 credits)

EDCD 795: Internship in School Counseling II (3 credits)
Electives selected from EDCD courses or permission of advisor (2 credits)

Total Credits: 60

Total: 45 credits

Courses are held in person on the GMU Fairfax campus. Several courses may utilize online modules, but all courses require in person, on campus meetings.

Note: Due to COVID-19, the program may utilize online learning. Course instructors will provide specific information to students.

Admissions Criteria:

Completed application
College transcripts
Goals statement
2 professional letters of recommendation
Resume
3.0 undergraduate GPA
12 credits of behavioral science or closely related coursework
Recommended: prior counseling-related work or volunteer experience

Application information is available here.

Tuition and Financial Aid Information is available here.

School Counseling Program Outcomes: 2019-2020

The number of graduates for the past academic year (2018-2019) was 31.
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) does not require a credentialing examination for school counselors. All students (100%) who graduate from the school counseling program are eligible for a provisional license from VDOE upon graduation.
Data on completion rates show that 97% of School Counseling students completed their degree within the 6-year limit. This data is from the most recent group of students to reach the 6-year limit, those students admitted in 2013-2014. The following table shows the length of time it took students in this group to complete the program.

# of 2013-14 Admits	% Finished in 2 years	% Finished in 3 years	% Finished in 4 years	% Finished in 5 years	% Finished in 6 years	Did Not Complete within 6 years
29	7%	45%	41%	3%	0%	3%

The GMU Career Survey administered in 2019 provides the following information on job placement: of 9 respondents, 8 were employed or had accepted a position (89%) and 1 reported that they were not employed but seeking employment (11%).

Information regarding the accreditation of George Mason University can be found on the Provost’s webpage at https://provost.gmu.edu/administration/academic-affairs/accreditation. The School Counseling concentration is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

This program has been identified by George Mason University as one that may lead to a career requiring professional licensure/certification. Federal regulations require Mason to disclose information as to whether this program meets/does not meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in your state, or whether such a determination has not been made. Please consult our Licensure Disclosure Tool for the disclosure statement specific to your desired state/program combination.

George Mason University will verify completion of the requirements of a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) state-approved preparation program at the graduate or undergraduate level. Such verification does not guarantee the issuance of a Virginia Collegiate Professional, Postgraduate Professional, or Pupil Personnel license from the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is solely the student's responsibility to comply with all requirements for licensure by the Commonwealth. Under Virginia law, a social security number is required for licensure.