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Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2018-2019

Counselor Education advising map

School of Education

Concentration(s):
College student development and counseling, School counseling
Program description

Students interested in applying to graduate programs for counselor education are encouraged to follow this Major Map in addition to the Major Map for their undergraduate major.   This advising map details key courses, activities, organizations and resources that can best prepare you for successful candidacy for graduate study. 

The Masters of Education (M.Ed.) in Counselor Education is a 60-credit hour program provides students with the specialized knowledge and skills required for placement in elementary, middle and high schools, as well as postsecondary institutions. Our programs are nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (or CACREP), providing prospective students (and their potential future employers) a good indicator of their thoroughness.

Career opportunities

A Counselor Education master’s degree enables our graduates to empower others and effect change in the lives of students in both the K-12, higher education, and community setting. The program provides students with the specialized knowledge and skills to prepare graduates to support the varied needs of individuals. When our students enter the field as professionals, they do so equipped with a nuanced understanding of the day-to-day demands of the job and a commitment to meeting the challenges of counseling with strength and compassion. Coursework includes counseling, theoretical frameworks, to placement with knowledgeable experts in the required internship experience.  

Change of major requirements

Students do not change into this program as this is an advising map for application to a future graduate program of study. Please see the program description for admissions requirements and contact the School of Education for questions about the admissions process as you near the end of your undergraduate program.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • *** Completion of a graduate degree may be necessary for the following job titles:
  • Career Coach/Counselor
  • College Academic Advisor/Student Services
  • College Counselor
  • Counselor/Therapist
  • Developmental Specialist
  • Licensed Professional Counselor
  • Marriage, Couples and Family
  • Social and Human Services Assistant
  • Student Affairs Professional
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
Science required
Foreign language requirements
Additional tuition/fees
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 3.0 GPA in last 60 credits of coursework

Contact information

Department name:
Dean's Office
Building/room location:
Oliver Hall, 1015 W. Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23284-2020
Phone:
804-827-2670
Email:
soeinfo@vcu.edu
https://soe.vcu.edu/
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Invalid campus
Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
  • Follow the School of Education’s social media for workshops and events.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility)

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
  • Suggested courses: CLED 340, 405, and/or 440.
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Attend an SOE information session or Open House.
  • Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Conduct independent undergraduate research.
  • See your advisor each semester to discuss degree progression and plans for elective coursework.
  • Suggested courses: CLED 501 and/or 520.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend a Wellness Resource Center program.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by your home department or the School of Education.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Create a community-engaged research project.
  • Volunteer with a local non-profit organization.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Seek research opportunities to refine your goals & to learn the rigors & discipline required for success.
  • Apply for summer research funding through UROP.
  • Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.
  • Review opportunities to take classes or participate in Spit for Science research activities.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Attend the VCU Careers in Education Symposium.
  • Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revist gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.
  • Research graduate/professional schools at least one year in advance of application deadlines. Complete admissions exams the summer before your senior year (GRE/MAT, PRAXIS, VCLA etc.)

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. 
  • Suggested courses- any noted from previous years not taken already.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
  • Attend Virginia Counseling Association Conference or the Virginia School Counselors Association Conference.
  • Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, and City Year.
  • Serve in a leadership role or as a board member of a local community organization.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Continue to engage in research to create more content for your e-portfolio.
  • Explore applying to the Substitute Teaching the VCU Way program.
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other discipline- specific conference.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation.
  • Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, complete career and assessment activities, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2018-2019

Counselor Education advising map

School of Education

Concentration(s):
College student development and counseling, School counseling
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Build a LinkedIn profile with Career Services.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Explore “What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers in your field of study.
  • Follow the School of Education’s social media for workshops and events.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility)
Experience Year 2
  • Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
  • Suggested courses: CLED 340, 405, and/or 440.
  • Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes, and strategies for success in your program.
  • Attend an SOE information session or Open House.
  • Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
Year 3
  • Conduct independent undergraduate research.
  • See your advisor each semester to discuss degree progression and plans for elective coursework.
  • Suggested courses: CLED 501 and/or 520.
  • Attend a Wellness Resource Center program.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by your home department or the School of Education.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Create a community-engaged research project.
  • Volunteer with a local non-profit organization.
  • Seek research opportunities to refine your goals & to learn the rigors & discipline required for success.
  • Apply for summer research funding through UROP.
  • Meet with a career adviser to discuss your career direction and create an action plan.
  • Review opportunities to take classes or participate in Spit for Science research activities.
  • Attend the VCU Careers in Education Symposium.
  • Join job listserv sites that provide access to job postings in desired fields. Revist gap analysis assessment and continue adjusting strategic career plan with Career Services.
  • Research graduate/professional schools at least one year in advance of application deadlines. Complete admissions exams the summer before your senior year (GRE/MAT, PRAXIS, VCLA etc.)
Excel Year 4
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. 
  • Suggested courses- any noted from previous years not taken already.
  • Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
  • Attend Virginia Counseling Association Conference or the Virginia School Counselors Association Conference.
  • Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, and City Year.
  • Serve in a leadership role or as a board member of a local community organization.
  • Continue to engage in research to create more content for your e-portfolio.
  • Explore applying to the Substitute Teaching the VCU Way program.
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other discipline- specific conference.
  • Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation.
  • Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, complete career and assessment activities, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.