Education, Counselor Education Introduction

The Virginia Tech Counselor Education program offers a master's program (M.A.E.D) at the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center and a doctoral program (Ph.D.) at the main campus in Blacksburg.

The Virginia Tech Counselor Education Master's program is a 60 credit hour program, which generally takes a full-time student two years to complete. The first summer and fall semesters of the program consists of classroom study, and beginning in the spring semester students are engaged in clinical study throughout the remainder of their program.

Students who graduate with a master's degree in the school counseling track are qualified and endorsed by the faculty for licensure/certification as school counselors by the Virginia Department of Education.

Those who graduate with a master's degree in the clinical mental health counseling track have completed all the courses required for LPC licensure in Virginia, and are prepared to enter the licensure residency period. Graduates need to complete additional hours of supervised practice to be eligible for licensure in Virginia, and can include their internship hours toward this state requirement.

The Virginia Tech Counselor Education doctoral program prepares students through coursework and practical training to serve as counselor education faculty, clinical supervisors, or K-12 school counseling leaders.   Strong preference in admission is given to applicants with at least two years of post-masters clinical experience. Doctoral students complete advanced practica or internships in Teaching, Clinical Supervision, Clinical Practice, Research, and/or Advocacy and Leadership. Doctoral students in the Virginia Tech program work closely with the faculty, and often collaborate on research, publications, and conference presentations.

Students who complete the doctoral program typically seek employment as faculty members in counseling programs colleges and universities, and in mental health settings in the community, hospitals, higher education, and K-12 schools.   If students have not finalized their LPC requirements prior to admission, select courses and clinical doctoral internships can be used in support of that process.