Make a Difference in the Lives of Students
Master of Science in School Counseling Online (MS)
Flexible preparation for a career supporting student well-being.
Master of Science in School Counseling (Online)
Students bring more than academics into the school day. They bring questions about who they are, challenges at home, plans for the future, and experiences that shape how they learn. A skilled school counselor helps them navigate it all.
The University of Lynchburg’s online MS in School Counseling prepares you to support K-12 students throughout their academic, personal, social, and career development. The program is designed to help you meet guidelines established by the Virginia Department of Education and become an effective school counselor.
Through online coursework in counseling, consultation, and curriculum development, you’ll learn to provide individual and group counseling, collaborate with families and educators, and create programs that respond to the needs of your school community. You’ll be prepared to work with students at every level, from elementary school through high school.
Designed with working adults in mind, this 60-credit-hour CACREP-accredited school counseling program allows you to complete your coursework online through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous classes while balancing your career and family. Full-time students typically earn their degree in two to three years.
You’ll also complete biannual, focused residencies on Lynchburg’s campus. These face-to-face experiences give you time to practice counseling techniques, strengthen your assessment skills, and build relationships with the faculty and classmates you’ve come to know online along with your fellow residential students.
Your preparation will also include 700 hours of field-based training that allows you to apply what you learn in a school setting. You’ll develop the judgment and practical experience to help students overcome challenges, make informed decisions, explore career possibilities, and feel understood within their school communities.
Why choose the University of Lynchburg school counseling graduate degree program?
The University of Lynchburg’s online MS in School Counseling is ideal for anyone who wants to make a positive impact on the well-being of students and the education system. You’ll start your career with confidence, knowing how to work within a school team, consult teachers and parents, provide career counseling, and help young people deal with developmental challenges and tough decisions.
What makes Lynchburg’s online master’s in school counseling unique?
Transform your passion into professional expertise with our comprehensive and hands-on school counseling program.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
Counselor Education Mission Statement
The students and faculty of the Counselor Education Program at the University of Lynchburg are a diverse community of learners deeply committed to creating a positive impact on the communities where we work and live. We prepare professional counselors to be independent and curious learners, culturally-responsive and self-reflective practitioners, and highly ethical professionals. In support of the evolving needs of the diverse clientele counselors serve, the Counselor Education Program emphasizes training innovative counselors who can maintain a clear professional identity while working collaboratively in settings where counseling is an integral aspect of interdisciplinary missions.
Curriculum and Resources
2026-27 Academic Year Information
The curriculum is designed to include all content areas and clinical experiences required for initial licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia. Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure upon conferral of their degree.
Students must take the following required courses:
- COUN 602-O Counseling Across the Lifespan (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 605-O Counseling Theories (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 609-O Research in Counseling (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 610-O Career Development (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 611-O Crisis Counseling (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 614-O Counseling Techniques (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 616-O School Counseling Practicum (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 618-O Counseling Children and Adolescents (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 620-O Group Counseling Procedures and Techniques (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 625-O Professional Identity and Function of School Counselors (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 630-O Marriage and Family Counseling (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 640-O Abnormal Behavior (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 645-O Substance Use Counseling, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Addictive Disorders (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 660-O Evaluation and Assessment (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 665-O Cross-Cultural Counseling (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 670-O Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 686-O School Counseling Internship (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 696-O School Counseling Internship II (Online) (3 hrs.)
- SPED 600-O Foundations and Legal Aspects of Special Education (3 hrs.)
- Two supervised counseling experiences: Practicum, totaling a minimum of 100 hours in one semester/term in a school setting; and Internship, totaling a minimum of 600 hours across two semesters/terms in a school setting.
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Students must take 3 hours of electives. Choose from:
- COUN 601-O Professional Identity and Function of Clinical Mental Health Counselors (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 621-O Alternative Counseling Theories and Techniques (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 622-O Advanced Counseling Theories and Techniques (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 623-O Counseling Military Personnel, Veterans, and their Families (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 661-O Sexuality in Counseling (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 662-O LGBT Considerations in Counseling (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 663-O Trauma-Informed Counseling and Care (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 669-O Special Topics in Counseling (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 678-O Adventure-Based Counseling (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 683-O Dynamics of Play Therapy (Online) (3 hrs.)
- COUN 695-O Independent Study (Online) (3 hrs.)
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Students must complete a two-part Summative Assessment:
- COUN-COMP: Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) National Exam
- COUN-PORT: Capstone Portfolio
Total Hours Required: 60
A full-time supervised counseling experience totaling a minimum of 600 hours in a clinical mental health agency setting.
Program-specific Resources
Interested in applying to the master’s degree in school counseling program?
The admissions process for the clinical mental health counseling graduate degree is designed to evaluate your preparedness for the rigors of graduate study and your potential to contribute to the field of counseling.
Application Deadlines
- Summer:Â May 1
- Fall: July 31
- Spring:Â Nov. 30
How to Apply for the Online MS in School Counseling
- Complete the online application. This is your first step toward becoming a student at the University of Lynchburg.
- Submit your official transcripts. We require an official transcript from the college or university where your bachelor’s degree was awarded.
- Submit an essay. This essay gives us insight into your motivation for pursuing a career in clinical mental health counseling.
- Submit two letters of recommendation. Ideally, these should come from individuals who can speak to your potential as a counselor.
- Attend a personal interview. Once we have received all of your application materials, you will be invited to an interview. This will give you the opportunity to discuss your educational and career goals with us.
Master of Science in School Counseling Online (MS) Faculty
Sara W. Bailey, PhD, LCMHC (NC), NCC
Associate Professor of Counseling, Program Director for the Master of Science in Counseling ...
Faculty Contact
Baylee Leazer ’21 MEd, LPC
Instructor, Counseling ...
Heather Summers, PhD, NCC
Assistant Professor of Counselor Education ...
Sarah Dixon, PhD
Assistant Professor of Counselor Education ...
Sommer A Garrett, PhD, LPC/S (SC)
Assistant Professor ...
As a Lynchburg MS in Counseling student, you'll:
Build the skills to support student development and well-being.
Learn from faculty who are practicing counselors and bring that experience into every class.
Join a small community of future counselors who will know your name and your story.
“Lynchburg taught me that the main focus of counseling is the relationship with the student... I was able to focus on the positives of fostering relationships with my students despite the lockdown."
- Janell Daniels ’20 MEd
Accreditation
The online Master of Science in School Counseling at the University of Lynchburg is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
500 Montgomery St., Suite 350
Alexandria, VA 22314
 703.535.5990Â
Graduate Tuition
Below is an overview of the cost of the program:
Master of Science in School Counseling Online (MS)
$
630
Cost Per Credit Hour
-
Credit Hours: 60
-
Estimated Cost of Completion: $37,800
Financial Aid
The cost figures provided are estimates and may vary based on factors such as the duration of your enrollment, specific classes taken, and any future changes to tuition or fees.
Students will be responsible for costs associated with their transportation, lodging, and food while on residencies.Â
