Master of Education in School Counseling (MEd)

The University of Lynchburg’s Master of Education in School Counseling program will help you advance your career and make a real difference in students’ lives. The program prepares you to meet the K-12 guidelines required by the Virginia Department of Education and become a highly skilled school counselor.

As a student, you’ll dive deep into counseling, consultation, and curriculum development, developing the skills you need to succeed in any school environment. You’ll learn how to coordinate different components of guidance programs and work with students of all ages, from elementary to high school.

Our program is designed to help you become a well-rounded, effective school counselor. You’ll learn how to provide individual and group counseling, work with families, provide career development experiences, and assist students in meeting developmental challenges and making decisions. You’ll also develop an in-depth understanding of the nature and needs of people in multicultural contexts, with a strong emphasis on the cultural context of relationships, issues, and trends in a multicultural society.

Lynchburg’s comprehensive curriculum and dedicated professors ensure students have an in-depth understanding of theory and professional topics, and learn how to develop strategic programs for school communities. Through on-site training, you’ll apply your expertise and help meet the counseling needs of students, parents, teachers, and other school stakeholders.

The Master of Education in School Counseling features:

• Comprehensive preparation to become a highly skilled school counselor.
• Special emphasis on counseling, consultation skills, curriculum development, and coordination of guidance program components.
• Skills development for working with students of all ages, from elementary school to high school, and meeting the needs of children at all levels.
• Training in essential areas, including individual and group counseling techniques, family collaboration, facilitating career development opportunities, and supporting students in overcoming developmental challenges and making important decisions.
• A strong emphasis on understanding the cultural dynamics that shape relationships, address relevant issues and respond to current trends in our multicultural society.

Why choose the University of Lynchburg school counseling graduate degree program?

Our school counseling program has:

• 100% program completion.
• 100% pass rate for the Counselor Education Comprehensive Examination.
• 100% job placement rate.
• 700 hours of school-based clinical experience.
• Accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
• Opportunity to continue education with the Advanced Counseling Certificate.

What makes Lynchburg’s master’s in school counseling unique?

Preparation and Development for All School Levels

Elementary school level:

• Skills in meeting the needs of young children.
• Strategies for developing programs that are infused into the entire educational process and
• Serve the school community.

Middle school level:

• Professional preparation focusing on the unique needs of middle school-age students.
• Skills for working with groups.
• Skills in functioning as a school team member.
• Skills in consulting with teachers and parents.

High school level:

• Emphasis on understanding the secondary school student.
• Skills in individual and group counseling, working with families, providing career development experiences, and assisting students in meeting developmental challenges and decisions.

Eligible as Licensed Professional Counselors in Virginia

Graduates of the University of Lynchburg’s school counseling program meet the educational requirements for licensure as a LPC in Virginia. This means that upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply for LPC residency in Virginia. Having this license opens up a wide range of career opportunities for graduates and helps them establish themselves as qualified and competent professionals in school counseling.

School-based Clinical Experience

Experiential education, with a minimum of 700 hours of school-based, clinical experience, provides hands-on training that allows aspiring school counselors to apply their skills and knowledge in real-world settings. This practical experience not only enhances learning but also helps build confidence and competence, preparing students to enter the workforce as highly skilled professionals.

Small By Design

Small classes, by design, provide a personalized and supportive learning environment in the University of Lynchburg’s school counseling program. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, students receive individualized attention and guidance from experienced faculty members, resulting in an engaging, interactive learning experience. This approach helps students develop meaningful connections with faculty and peers and fosters a sense of community within the program.

CACREP Accredited Counseling Program

Our program holds CACREP accreditation — the gold standard in counselor education — and has undergone a rigorous external review process, ensuring the quality of education provided meets high standards. The accreditation not only verifies the program’s quality but also makes licensure portability easier, allowing graduates to transfer their professional licenses across different states. Many states require CACREP accreditation when applying for counseling licensure, making it a valuable credential for aspiring counselors. Lynchburg has maintained CACREP accreditation for more than 30 years.

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation Accredited

Our school counseling degree goes beyond CACREP accreditation. It is also accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, which is essential for licensed professionals working in K-12 school systems. In many states, including Virginia, CAEP accreditation is a prerequisite for school counseling credentialing. As a result, our program ensures that graduates meet the requirements for employment in the K-12 school system, opening up opportunities for a fulfilling career in school counseling.

Experientially-based Education

Our program is designed to help students experience first-hand what it’s like to be a school counselor. From the first classes in our curriculum to clinical courses where students are counseling clients, we believe learning the art of counseling necessitates continuous practice.

Small in-person classes allow for the best application of knowledge throughout our curriculum because of individualized attention and student-centered engagement.