Master’s in Mental Health Counseling Programs in Virginia

Virginia is a state on the east coast of the United States. One of America’s 13 original colonies, the state boasts a growing and diverse population. According to Mental Health America, Virginia ranks 20 out of 50 for states with the best mental health. While this number is on the higher end of the ranking, lawmakers in the state are still concerned. 

Lawmakers in the State of Virginia have looked for ways to help improve the mental health of its residents and have invested money into programs around the state. In fiscal year 2023, Virginia lawmakers allocated about $72 million in grant funding for mental health programs. Due to this investment in mental health programs, O*Net Online estimates that by the year 2030, there will be an increase in the need for mental health counselors by 20%. 

Since the field of mental health counseling will grow by 20% in Virginia, there is a need for mental health counseling master’s programs. Luckily, there are many programs to choose from that meet the licensing requirements in the state. The program at Longwood University is a standout due to its low price, CACREP accreditation, and accelerated options. 
After graduation, mental health counselors in Virginia have many options for employment in urban areas of Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Virginia Beach, as well as in more rural areas. Mental health counselors can join professional organizations such as the Virginia Counselors Association.

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Master of Counseling Programs in Virginia

To become a licensed counselor in Virginia, one must graduate from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). In the past, the programs could be accredited by CORE, but that accreditation board merged with CACREP meaning that all programs must be CACREP-accredited. It is possible to graduate from a program that is not CACREP-accredited, but those who do so must provide proof of courses taken and meet state statute requirements.

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Online Master of Counseling Programs in Virginia

There are many benefits to attending an online master of counseling program. Some benefits include the flexibility of courses, continued access to course materials, and the ability to take courses at your own pace. Six programs in Virginia are online.

CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in Virginia

Accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is becoming an increasingly popular feature of many masters of counseling programs nationwide. Some of the benefits of attending a CACREP-accredited program include meeting the requirements for most states and becoming familiar with other programs that are accredited. Sixteen programs in Virginia are CACREP-accredited. 

Of the 16 programs that are CACREP-accredited, six of them are in the Online Programs category. The programs in the Online Programs category and CACREP-accredited are at the College of William and Mary, Divine Mercy University, Liberty University, Marymount University, Old Dominion University, and Regent University.

Virginia Online, No GRE & CAREP Accredited Counseling Masters Programs

Specialty	University Name	Degree	City	State	Accreditation	Modality	GRE Required?	Program Length	URL
School Counseling	College of William and Mary	M.Ed.	Williamsburg	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling	College of William and Mary	M.Ed.	Williamsburg	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	College of William and Mary	M.Ed.	Williamsburg	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Eastern Mennonite University	M.A.	Harrisonburg	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	George Mason University	M.Ed.	Fairfax	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	George Mason University	M.Ed.	Fairfax	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
School Counseling	Hampton University	M.A.	Hampton	VA	CACREP				School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Hampton University	M.A.	Hampton	VA	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	James Madison University	M.Ed.	Harrisonburg	VA	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	James Madison University	M.A./Ed.S.	Harrisonburg	VA	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	Liberty University, Counselor Education & Family Studies	M.Ed.	Lynchburg	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Liberty University, Counselor Education & Family Studies	M.A.	Lynchburg	VA	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling	Liberty University, Counselor Education & Family Studies	M.A.	Lynchburg	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	3 Years	Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Longwood University	M.S.	Farmville	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	Longwood University	M.S.	Farmville	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
School Counseling	Marymount University	M.A.	Arlington	VA	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	5 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Marymount University	M.A.	Arlington	VA	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	Old Dominion University	M.S.Ed.	Norfolk	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Old Dominion University	M.S.Ed.	Norfolk	VA	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required	1 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Radford University	M.S.	Radford	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	Radford University	M.S.	Radford	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	1 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Regent University	M.A.	Virginia Beach	VA	CACREP	Online & Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling	Regent University	M.A.	Virginia Beach	VA	CACREP	Online	No GRE Required	1 Years	Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
School Counseling	Regent University	M.A.	Virginia Beach	VA	CACREP				School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	South University - Richmond	M.A.	Glen Allen	VA	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	South University - Virginia Beach	M.A.	Virginia Beach	VA	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	University of Lynchburg (formerly Lynchburg College)	M.Ed.	Lynchburg	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	University of Lynchburg (formerly Lynchburg College)	M.Ed.	Lynchburg	VA	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
School Counseling	University of Virginia	M.Ed.	Charlottesville	VA	CACREP				School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling	Virginia Commonwealth University, College of Health Professions	M.S.	Richmond	VA	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
School Counseling	Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Education	M.Ed.	Richmond	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	School Counseling
School Counseling	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	M.A.	Blacksburg	VA	CACREP				School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	M.A.	Blacksburg	VA	CACREP				Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)	M.A.Ed.	Roanoke	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counselor Education	Virginia State University	M.Ed.	Virginia	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	60 Credits Hours	Counselor Education
Counselor Education	University of Virginia (UVA)	M.Ed.	Charlottesville	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Counselor Education
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	South University	M.A	Virginia Beach	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required	2 Years	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Master of Science in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.	Virginia Commonwealth University	M.S.	Richmond	VA	CACREP	Online & Campus		60 credit hours	Master of Science in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling.
Counseling (with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling)	Old Dominion University	M.S.Ed.	Norfolk	VA	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required		Counseling (with specializations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling)
linical Mental Health Counseling, Addictions Counseling, Military & Veterans Counseling, Couples, Marriage and Family Counseling, School Counseling, School Psychology, Counselor Education	William & Mary School of Education	M.Ed.	Williamsburg	VA	CACREP				linical Mental Health Counseling, Addictions Counseling, Military & Veterans Counseling, Couples, Marriage and Family Counseling, School Counseling, School Psychology, Counselor Education
Counselor Education	Virginia Commonwealth University	M.Ed.	Richmond	VA	CACREP	Campus		2 Years	Counselor Education
School Counseling	Old Dominion University	M.S.Ed	Norfolk	VA	CACREP	Campus	GRE Required		School Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	Regent University	M.A	Virginia Beach	VA	CACREP	Online & Campus		60 credit hours	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counselor Education	Longwood University	M.S.	Farmville	VA	CACREP	Campus		600 hours	Counselor Education
General Counseling	Hampton University	M.A	Hampton	VA	CACREP	Online & Campus	GRE Required	31 degree credits	General Counseling
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	George Mason University	MEd	Fairfax	VA	CACREP	Campus		60 credit hours	Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Counselor Education	Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)	M.A.Ed.	Blacksburg	VA	CACREP	Campus	No GRE Required		Counselor Education

No GRE Required Master of Counseling Programs in Virginia

The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is a standardized test used to determine the aptitude of potential college admittance. However, many people get anxious about standardized tests or do not want their college admission based on test scores. Thirteen programs in Virginia do not require the GRE for admission. 

In the Online Programs category, four programs do not require the GRE. Those programs are at the College of William and Mary, Marymount University, Old Dominion University, and Regent University. 

In the CACREP-accredited programs, nine programs do not require the GRE. Those programs are at Eastern Mennonite University, George Mason University, James Madison University, Longwood University, Radford University, South University Richmond, South University Virginia Beach, University of Lynchburg, and Virginia Tech.

Most Affordable Master of Counseling Program in Virginia

Choosing an affordable Master in Counseling program is sometimes just as important as finding an academically sound one. The most affordable master of counseling program in the Online Programs category is at Liberty University with a price tag of $565 per credit hour. Under the CACREP-accredited Programs category, the most affordable master of counseling program is at Longwood University with a $461 per credit hour price tag. Therefore, the most affordable master of counseling program in Virginia is at Longwood University.  

Accelerated Master of Counseling Program in Virginia

Due to the nature of CACREP-accredited counseling programs and state requirements, there are programs with at least 60 credit hours. However, the program at Longwood University advertises an accelerated program that can be completed in two years.

Required Courses for Licensure in Virginia

In Virginia, master’s in counseling programs are required to be CACREP-accredited. However, if you attended a program that is not accredited or out-of-state, there is a list of required courses that you must take according to the Virginia Department of Health Professions. 

The required courses are as follows: 

• Professional counseling identity, function, and ethics
• Theories of counseling & psychotherapy
• Counseling & psychotherapy techniques
• Human growth & development
• Group counseling and psychotherapy, theories, and techniques
• Career counseling and development theories and techniques
• Appraisal, evaluation, and diagnostic procedures
• Abnormal behavior and psychopathology 
• Multicultural counseling theories and techniques 
• Research 
• Diagnosis and treatment of addictive disorders
• Marriage and family systems theory
• Supervised internship of at least 600 hours (240 hours of direct client experience)

Counseling Licensure Requirements in Virginia

There are two stages of licensure for mental health counselors in Virginia. The first stage is the Resident in Counseling license and the second is the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license. The Virginia Department of Health Professional Board of Counseling sets the requirements for licensure in the state. 

Resident in Counseling: 
This is a temporary license that is obtained by recent graduates who have completed all of the required education. To obtain hours for LPC licensure, one must work as a Resident in Counseling. To obtain this license you must complete all required educational coursework and find an eligible supervisor. Once you find a supervisor you must submit all transcripts to the Board where they will review all submitted materials. 

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC):
This license is obtained after gaining experience as a Resident in Counseling. Experience as a Resident in Counseling must include 3,400 hours of counseling experience where 2,000 of those hours must be direct client contact. Graduate internship hours may count toward the total hours required for the residency (up to 300 hours given for 600 hours of internship). A minimum of 200 hours of supervision must be completed with at least 100 hours being obtained under an LPC. The final step for obtaining this licensure is to pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE).

Virginia Counseling FAQs (Obtained via the Virginia Board of Counseling)

How many continuing education hours are required for renewal? 
Residents in Counseling must complete three hours of continuing education that emphasizes ethics, standards of practice, or laws governing behavioral science professionals. LPCs must complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education where at least two hours are completed in areas that emphasize ethics, standards of practice, or laws governing behavioral science professionals. 

Can I volunteer instead of completing continuing education hours? 
Up to two hours of the 20 required continuing education hours can be fulfilled by providing counseling for free to those who are low-income or through a free health clinic.

How Much Does a Mental Health Counselor Make in Virginia

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a mental health counselor in Virginia is $50,460. This is slightly higher than the national average of $49,710. 

How to Become a School Counselor in Virginia

According to the Virginia Department of Education, school counselors are required to have a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. School counselor applicants must also complete an approved school counseling preparation program that includes an internship and practical experience. After completing training, it is required that an applicant obtain two years of experience working in the field of school counseling. This requirement can also be met with two years of teaching experience. 

How Much Does a School Counselor Make in Virginia

According to O*Net Online, school counselors make an average of $62,440 per year. This is slightly higher than the national average of $60,140. 

How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Virginia

According to the Virginia Board of Counseling, two types of substance abuse counselor licensure exist. The first type is the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) licensure and the second is the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor Assistant (CSAC-A) license. 

Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC):
The first steps to obtaining this license is to graduate with a bachelor’s degree and complete 240 hours of didactic training in substance abuse education. These first two are completed before obtaining a supervisor and working in the field. Once supervision has been secured, it is required that the applicant have 2,000 hours of supervised substance abuse counseling experience, one to four hours of supervision per 40-hour work week, and pass the NCAC-I examination. 

Certified Substance Abuse Counselor Assistant (CSAC-A):
The first steps to obtaining this license is to have a high school diploma/GED, 120 hours of didactic training in substance abuse education, and 180 hours of experience performing substance abuse tasks with clients. After these steps are completed, the applicant is able to apply for licensure by examination. 

How Much Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Make in Virginia

According to O*Net Online, the average salary for a substance abuse counselor in Virginia is $50,460. This is slightly higher than the national average of $49,710.

What Other Career Options Are Available to Those with a Degree in Mental Health Counseling

The skills learned in a Master of Counseling program open the door for many positions outside of the counseling profession. Some positions with this degree include human resources, governmental social services, education, and non-profit leadership.