15 Accredited Masters in Counseling Virginia Programs & Career Paths

Ready to start your career with a master’s in counseling program in Virginia? The timing is perfect – mental health counselors will see a 20% job growth by 2030. Virginia’s mental health care ranks 20th nationwide, making it an ideal place to build your counseling career.

Mental health professionals thrive in Virginia. Mental health counselors earn $50,460 on average yearly, while school counselors make about $62,440 per year. The state’s lawmakers have shown their support by putting roughly $72 million into mental health program grants for fiscal year 2023. You’ll find more than 20 schools with counseling degree options spread across five major areas, including mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy. Students can now choose from eleven schools that offer hybrid and online LPC programs. This makes getting your master’s in clinical mental health counseling more available than ever before.

Let’s get into 15 accredited counseling programs at Virginia’s top colleges and universities. This piece will help you pick the program that best matches your career goals.

College of William and Mary

William & Mary’s online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling program is 300 years old and stands out among Virginia’s masters in counseling options. This “Public Ivy” institution equips future counselors with strong ethical foundations through its complete educational approach.

Program overview

William & Mary’s counseling program offers three CACREP-accredited paths to licensure:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling: This concentration builds on social justice principles and teaches psychopathology, ethics, wellness, and multicultural counseling. Students learn diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention strategies.
• Military and Veterans Counseling: A specialization within Clinical Mental Health, this path helps students understand active duty military personnel and veterans’ unique behavioral health needs in a field growing 19% faster than average.
• School Counseling: Students become professionals who guide K-12 students’ mental, emotional, and physical development. The curriculum emphasizes program planning and evaluation practices.

Accreditation & format

The program’s high educational standards are backed by prestigious accreditations:

• CACREP accreditation for all counseling programs
• CAEP accreditation for the School Counseling concentration
• National Standards for School Counselors by ASCA guide the curriculum

Students experience a flexible online format with two required three-day on-campus residencies that prepare them for practicum and internship experiences. This approach combines theoretical study with hands-on clinical practice.

Tuition & duration

The 2025-2026 academic year online counseling program costs include:

• $825 per credit hour (60 total credit hours)
• One-time fees: $145 graduation fee, $150 LiveText fee, $50 application fee
• $360 enrollment confirmation fee (credited toward tuition)

Students can complete the program in three years with start dates in January, May, and August.

Best fit for

This program works well if you:

• Have any academic background (no previous counseling experience needed)
• Want to become a professional counselor or Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner
• Care deeply about social justice and cultural responsiveness
• Need flexibility to keep working full-time during your studies
• Want to join a close-knit community of principled alumni from a prominent institution

Liberty University

Liberty University stands out among Virginia’s counseling master’s programs with its unique faith-based approach through its Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The program blends biblical principles with proven counseling practices to help professionals address both psychological and spiritual aspects of mental health.

Program overview

Liberty’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program gives students the skills they need to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). The 60-credit curriculum covers:

• Ethical and legal issues in counseling
• Multicultural counseling approaches
• Advanced counseling theories
• Psychopathology and treatment
• Christian integration in mental health services

Students get real-life experience through a well-laid-out practicum (100 hours with 40 direct client contact hours) and a two-semester internship. This practical training helps students apply their classroom knowledge under professional guidance.

Accreditation & format

The counseling program has earned prestigious accreditations:

• CACREP accreditation since January 2019
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) institutional accreditation

Students can enjoy flexibility with online courses and two required 3-credit hour intensives. They can select between:

• On-campus intensives at Liberty’s Lynchburg campus (36-40 hours of classroom instruction)
• Online synchronous intensives (36-40 hours of video-based instruction)

Tuition & duration

The 2025-2026 academic year tuition rates are:

• $580 per credit hour (full-time)
• $645 per credit hour (part-time)
• $290 per credit hour for military students

Students typically complete the 60-credit program in 2-3 years, with 8-week course formats.

Best fit for

This program suits students who:

• Want a Christian view in counseling education
• Need CACREP-accredited credentials for licensure
• Prefer flexible online learning with minimal campus visits
• Plan to work with clients from different backgrounds
• Look for mentorship from experienced counseling faculty

Marymount University

Marymount University stands out in counseling education with its specialized masters in counseling programs. The university blends theoretical knowledge with practical skills to prepare graduates who can make an immediate difference in various settings.

Program overview

Marymount’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling comes with two paths: a standard track and a concentration in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Students learn to help people with developmental, situational, and existential mental health challenges. The curriculum has:

• Core courses like research methods, psychopathology, ethics, human development, crisis assessment, substance abuse counseling, and group techniques
• Hands-on skills development through practicum and internship experiences with hundreds of clinical hours
• A chance to earn two master’s degrees by combining Clinical Mental Health Counseling with Forensic & Legal Psychology

Marymount’s counseling approach mixes traditional psychotherapy with practical interventions to help clients achieve positive change in a variety of settings.

Accreditation & format

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited these counseling programs until 2026. The pastoral concentration’s CACREP-accredited components don’t extend to its pastoral-specific content.

Students can pick between traditional on-campus classes or a fully online format that started in Fall 2022. Working professionals can easily balance their careers with their studies without sacrificing educational quality.

Tuition & duration

The Masters in Counseling program costs $1,186 per credit hour for the 2025-2026 academic year. The complete 60-credit program totals around $71,160. Some counseling courses need additional fees between $50-175 for assessment tools and materials.

Best fit for

This program works well for people who:

• Want to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
• Like building strong relationships with faculty that last after graduation
• Want diverse elective choices and multicultural awareness training
• Might want to join short-term study abroad programs to understand global mental health systems

Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University stands out among Virginia’s top counseling masters programs. The university’s counseling program previously earned the nation’s top spot with an outstanding 9.4 stars out of 10.

Program overview

ODU’s 60-credit hour counseling program prepares students to practice professionally in a variety of settings through two key specializations:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Students learn to become Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) who work with clients from all backgrounds. The curriculum covers counseling theories, research methods, assessment techniques, ethical principles, and multicultural-social justice approaches.
• School Counseling: This track helps students build careers in K-12 educational settings. The specialization meets Virginia’s school counseling licensing requirements and aligns with the American School Counselor Association National Model.

Students in both tracks must complete a 100-hour practicum and 600-hour internship to gain hands-on experience.

Accreditation & format

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP) has accredited both face-to-face and online formats of the counseling program. The face-to-face program has managed to keep this prestigious accreditation since the mid-1990s.

Students can select from:

• Full-time or part-time study options
• Late afternoon/evening courses that work well for professionals
• A fully online Clinical Mental Health Counseling pathway

Tuition & duration

Graduate tuition rates for 2025-2026 academic year are:

• Virginia Residents: $486 per credit hour
• Non-Virginia Residents: $1,334.50 per credit hour
• Online courses outside Virginia: $649 per credit hour

Students must also pay a $154 complete fee per credit hour plus additional semester fees.

Best fit for

The program works best for students who:

• Need flexible scheduling without compromising on quality education
• Want CACREP accreditation to qualify for licensure
• Look for assistantship opportunities in university offices
• Seek a counseling program with strong regional reputation and exceptional training

Regent University

Regent University ranks among Virginia’s top Christian institutions for masters in counseling. Their programs blend counseling education with biblical principles to help students understand both psychological and spiritual aspects of mental health care.

Program overview

The School of Psychology & Counseling at Regent offers three CACREP-accredited master’s programs that combine counseling approaches with biblical principles:

• A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: This program gives students the skills to diagnose and treat emotional and mental health disorders. Students learn about human growth, group work, and professional ethics
• A. in School Counseling: The program helps counselors reshape students’ lives through compassionate guidance and modern techniques for today’s youth
• A. in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling: Students learn to rebuild foundations for couples and families using systematic theories and interventions

Each program requires 60+ credit hours and includes hands-on experience through supervised practicum and internship placements.

Accreditation & format

Regent holds several prestigious accreditations:

• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredits all three counseling master’s programs
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) provides institutional accreditation

Students can study either fully on-campus in Virginia Beach or online with two required one-week residencies. These residencies let students network and receive intensive training in specialty areas.

Tuition & duration

The 2025-2026 tuition costs about $730 per credit hour, with total program expenses around $21,900. Students typically finish the program in 24 months. Military students might qualify for lower tuition rates.

Best fit for

Regent’s counseling programs work best for students who:

• Want to combine scientific and faith-based principles in their counseling practice
• Need CACREP-accredited credentials to qualify for licensure
• Plan to work in community agencies and mental health networks
• Like online learning with minimal campus visits or traditional on-campus classes

Regent shows strong career outcomes with 95% of counseling graduates finding employment.

George Mason University

George Mason University, located in Fairfax, provides a complete master’s in counseling Virginia program. The program centers on social justice, multiculturalism, and advocacy principles. Students learn to create meaningful change in a variety of communities.

Program overview

GMU’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling comes with two concentrations that total 60 credits:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Students prepare for careers in community agencies, federal programs, higher education, and private practice. The program meets Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor credential requirements
• School Counseling: Graduates qualify for counseling positions in public or private PK-12 settings and become eligible for Virginia Department of Education licensure

Students blend theory with practice through their coursework and gain experience through practicum and internship (700 hours total) in suitable settings. The program boasts a 94% job placement rate for its graduates.

Accreditation & format

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at GMU holds CACREP accreditation through March 31, 2031. This recognition shows the program meets national counseling education standards.

Students learn in cohorts with full-time and part-time options. The program runs face-to-face classes at Mason’s Fairfax Campus, which creates an engaging learning environment. New students can start their journey in May or August each year.

Tuition & duration

The 2025-2026 tuition rates depend on where you live:

• Virginia residents: $752.50 per credit (includes mandatory student fees)
• Non-Virginia residents: $952.50 per credit (includes mandatory student fees)
• Virginia educators: $640.00 per credit (with 15% discount)

Students pay extra for CEHD course fees ($25-$84) and a one-time $60 graduate new student fee. So Virginia residents should expect to pay between $777.50-$836.50 per credit. The total program cost ranges from $46,650 to $50,190.

Best fit for

The counseling program suits students who:

• Care about multicultural points of view and social justice advocacy in counseling practice
• Want expert faculty mentorship in a cohort-based learning environment
• Like face-to-face classes better than online learning
• Work as Virginia educators and can get the 15% tuition discount
• Need CACREP-accredited credentials to become licensed professionals

James Madison University

James Madison University stands out in Virginia’s counseling education with its nationally recognized programs. Students benefit from small classes and individual attention throughout their learning experience.

Program overview

JMU provides several CACREP-accredited counseling paths:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A./Ed.S.): A complete 60-credit program that prepares students to become licensed Professional Counselors
• School Counseling (M.Ed./Ed.S.): A 60-credit program that helps graduates become licensed school counselors in K-12 settings
• D. in Counseling and Supervision: A doctoral program designed for practicing counselors with a 60-credit curriculum

JMU’s intimate learning environment makes it special. Classes stay small with only 8-10 students. The faculty’s credentials speak volumes – they’ve earned national ACES awards and many other distinctions.

Accreditation & format

The counseling programs hold the prestigious Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) accreditation. Students learn on campus and get hands-on experience through supervised practicum and internship opportunities.

Tuition & duration

The 2025-2026 tuition rates are:

• In-state: $573 per credit hour
• Out-of-state: $1,314 per credit hour

Students who attend full-time can finish the School Counseling program in two calendar years, including two summer sessions.

Best fit for

This program works best for students who want:

• Hands-on training with regular feedback and supervision
• Small cohort experiences that build strong professional relationships
• Great career prospects (School Counseling graduates have achieved 100% job placement in recent years)

Longwood University

Longwood University’s counseling program promotes a collaborative environment. Students grow into culturally sensitive counselors ready to work in a variety of mental health settings. This makes it a standout choice among masters in counseling Virginia institutions.

Program overview

The Master of Science in Counselor Education program features two specialized tracks:

• Mental Health Counseling: Graduates qualify for positions in community agencies, outpatient centers, and social services
• School Counseling: Students become counselors for elementary, middle, and high school settings

These 60-credit tracks build strong theoretical foundations with emphasis on practical skills through supervised field experiences. Students must complete a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. The curriculum meets all educational requirements for Virginia’s Certified Substance Abuse Counselor credential.

Accreditation & format

The program holds several key accreditations:

• CACREP accreditation for the Counselor Education program
• Institutional accreditation through Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Small class sizes enable students to receive individual attention from faculty. The faculty members bring real-life clinical experience and stay active in professional counseling associations.

Tuition & duration

Tuition rates for 2025-2026:

• In-state: $481 per credit hour ($28,860 total)
• Out-of-state: $1,136 per credit hour ($68,160 total)

Students can access graduate assistantships and monthly payment plans. They can complete the program full-time or part-time.

Best fit for

This program suits students who:

• Want face-to-face instruction with personal attention
• Need preparation for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credentials
• Value faculty members who maintain clinical practice while teaching
• Look for mentoring relationships with invested faculty

Radford University

Radford University offers an intensive masters in counseling Virginia experience. Students get hands-on practice and personal growth that are the cornerstone of professional development.

Program overview

Students can choose between two CACREP-accredited concentrations in the M.S. in Counseling and Human Development program:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Students learn to work in community agencies and clinical settings through experiential training in a variety of populations
• School Counseling: Students develop skills for K-12 educational environments with focus on leadership and advocacy

These paths combine classroom learning with real-world experience. Students develop their unique counseling approach through supervised clinical practice. The program’s success speaks through numbers – 97% of students pass licensure exams and 95% find jobs after graduation.

Accreditation & format

Full accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) ensures graduates qualify for professional licensure. Students attend traditional on-campus classes that emphasize situated learning and clinical practice.

Tuition & duration

Students can expect these tuition rates for 2025-2026:

• In-state graduate: $600 per credit hour or $7,193 per semester (12-16 credits)
• Out-of-state graduate: Higher rates apply

Best fit for

The program works best for students who:

• Excel in hands-on learning settings
• Want to grow personally and professionally
• Need strong clinical foundations with multicultural skills
• Look for excellent job placement opportunities in different counseling roles

University of Lynchburg

The University of Lynchburg has revolutionized its counseling education approach. The university made a strategic shift from Master of Education to Master of Science degrees, which now connects mental health care with scientific practice effectively.

Program overview

The University provides two specialized counseling paths:

• Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Students learn evidence-based practices for trauma-informed counseling, substance use treatment, and marriage/family therapy
• Master of Science in School Counseling: Professionals get training that meets Virginia Department of Education guidelines

Students in both programs have achieved a 100% pass rate on the Counselor Education Comprehensive Examination. The curricula emphasize real-life application through hands-on learning experiences.

Accreditation & format

The counseling programs hold Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges provides institutional accreditation. Small, on-campus classes create tailored learning experiences.

Tuition & duration

Lynchburg’s graduate programs demonstrate the university’s dedication to accessibility through various financial aid options, though specific program costs aren’t listed.

Best fit for

This program serves students who:

• Want to pursue LPC licensure in Virginia
• Need substantial clinical experience (minimum 700 hours)
• Look for academic excellence combined with practical skills
• Want to work collaboratively in a health sciences setting

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech incorporates strength-based approaches in its masters in counseling programs. Students learn to become skilled at reflective practice and evidence-based strategies that improve schools and communities.

Program overview

The Counselor Education program offers two master’s tracks:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.Ed.): Students at the Roanoke campus prepare for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) pathways
• School Counseling (M.A.Ed.): The Roanoke campus program gives graduates complete educational requirements for provisional licensure in PK-12 settings

Students progress through courses in sequence as cohorts, which creates supportive learning communities and encourages collaboration.

Accreditation & format

The program maintains dual accreditation:

• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

Students attend face-to-face classes and begin practical experience during their second semester.

Tuition & duration

The graduate tuition for 2025-2026 depends on residency status. Doctoral students can apply for graduate assistantships.

Students complete 60 credit hours over two years in this full-time program.

Best fit for

The program suits students who value:

• Clinical training at Virginia Tech’s counseling clinic
• Comprehensive mental health support through Cook Counseling Center, ranked #1 by Princeton Review
• Innovative strength-based counseling approaches

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University’s masters in counseling programs build on their rehabilitation counseling expertise that dates back to 1955. The university ranks 4th nationally for rehabilitation counseling.

Program overview

Students can choose from multiple counseling pathways at VCU. The M.Ed. in Counselor Education offers concentrations in College Counseling and Student Affairs, School Counseling, and Couples and Family Counseling. The university’s M.S. in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling provides Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling concentrations. These programs include requirements needed for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credentials.

Accreditation & format

The counseling programs hold CACREP accreditation. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges provides institutional accreditation. Students have the flexibility to choose on-campus, distance learning, or hybrid formats. Some distance courses require synchronous participation.

Tuition & duration

Students need to complete 60 credits for the M.S. in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, which costs about $32,470. Full-time students typically finish in 2-3 years, while part-time students may take longer.

Best fit for

VCU’s program suits candidates who want to combine rehabilitation counseling expertise with mental health training. The program works well for students who plan to work with people with disabilities. Students get valuable experience through 700 hours of practicum and internship opportunities. The program offers learning options in different formats to accommodate working professionals.

Eastern Mennonite University

Eastern Mennonite University provides an award-winning master’s in counseling program in Virginia. The program emphasizes practical skills through a cohort-based model from its beautiful campus in the Shenandoah Valley.

Program overview

EMU’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program requires 60 credits and blends academic excellence with personal growth. The curriculum covers essential areas:

• Professional identity and ethics
• Counseling theories and techniques
• Psychopathology and assessment
• Human growth and multicultural counseling

Students learn several therapeutic approaches that include Humanistic/Existential, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, and Expressive Arts.

Accreditation & format

The program maintains CACREP accreditation until October 2025. EMU runs in-person courses with about 40 students spread across three cohorts. Working professionals can attend classes two consecutive days each week, usually Tuesday/Wednesday or Wednesday/Thursday.

Tuition & duration

The 2025-2026 tuition rate stands at $695 per credit hour, bringing the total program cost to approximately $41,700. Students can complete their degree through:

• Two years (intensive track with summers)
• Three years (standard track)
• Extended timeframe (part-time option)

Students can access various scholarships and the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant.

Best fit for

The program prepares students for LPC credentials with remarkable outcomes. Graduates achieve an 80% licensure exam pass rate compared to Virginia’s 60% average. The class of 2024 saw 100% job placement within three months. The program’s 10:1 student-faculty ratio allows customized mentorship, making it ideal for students passionate about social justice advocacy.

South University (Richmond & Virginia Beach)

South University brings a hands-on approach to its masters in counseling Virginia programs. Students can choose between Richmond and Virginia Beach campuses to become skilled mental health practitioners.

Program overview

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program blends real-world experience with complete theory. Students learn assessment techniques, treatment practices, research methods, and ethical standards. The program helps students build four essential skills: modern counseling techniques, theory-based critical thinking, practical technology use, and professional ethics.

Accreditation & format

The Richmond and Virginia Beach campuses have earned Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has certified the university to operate in Virginia. Graduates can become National Certified Counselors through the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Tuition & duration

Students pay $655 per credit hour. Additional costs include:

• $15 per credit for digital textbooks
• $20 per credit technology fee
• One-time $250 graduation fee

Students who take 8 credits per term can expect to pay around $5,240 each term.

Best fit for

This program works well if you want to become a Licensed Professional Counselor and value hands-on experience with counseling theories. Mental health professionals who plan to work in a variety of settings will benefit from the university’s evidence-based approach.

Hampton University

Hampton University’s Department of Counseling brings hands-on experience to its masters in counseling Virginia programs. The department has developed professional counselors since 1982 who serve as leaders and supporters in their communities.

Program overview

The program offers Master of Arts degrees with multiple CACREP-accredited concentrations:

• School Counseling
• Student Affairs/College Student Development
• Community Mental Health Counseling
• Pastoral Counseling
• Addiction Counseling

The counseling department earned recognition in 2010 when it established a chapter of Chi Sigma Iota (International Counseling Honor Society). The department’s excellence was further validated in 2014 with a $986,000 grant from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Accreditation & format

CACREP accreditation for all major concentrations remains valid until October 31, 2025. Master’s courses feature face-to-face delivery through lectures or tutorials. The Doctor of Philosophy program takes a blended approach that combines in-person and online learning.

Tuition & duration

Students pay graduate tuition of $721 per semester hour for up to nine hours or $14,153 per semester for 10-17 credit hours. The Graduate Comprehensive Fee adds $25 per semester.

Best fit for

The program creates excellent career opportunities in mental health services. Clinical Mental Health graduates achieve 100% employment rates. Students thrive through Hampton’s dedication to community service and support opportunities.

Pick a Virginia Master’s in Counseling Now

Your professional future depends heavily on picking the right master’s in counseling program. Virginia’s 15 CACREP-accredited programs give you some great choices with different specializations, delivery formats, and educational philosophies. You’ll find a program that matches your career goals, whether you want faith-based education at Liberty or Regent, research-focused training at Virginia Tech, or specialized rehabilitation counseling at VCU.

These counseling programs will prepare you for licensure and help meet the growing need for mental health professionals – expected to jump 20% by 2030. Most programs need about 60 credit hours of coursework. You’ll also complete over 700 hours of practicum and internship experiences to build both theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills you’ll need in professional practice.

Money plays a big part in choosing your program. Tuition ranges from $480 to more than $1,300 per credit hour, based on where you live and the type of school. On top of that, many schools provide financial aid packages, assistantships, and special scholarships to help make your education more affordable.

Program formats fit different lifestyles. You can pick traditional on-campus programs that encourage close community connections, fully online options for maximum flexibility, or hybrid models that give you both. This variety lets you pursue advanced counseling education whatever your work and family commitments might be.

Virginia’s counseling graduates have excellent career prospects. Programs report job placement rates of 95-100%, showing the state’s commitment to mental health services through major funding efforts like the $72 million set aside for related programs in 2023.

This guide gives you the key information you need to pick a counseling program that lines up with your professional goals, learning priorities, and budget. Your path to becoming a licensed counseling professional in Virginia starts with finding the program that fits your specific needs and dreams.