School Counseling (M.Ed.)
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2026 through summer 2027. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.
Liberty University’s CAEP/CACREP accredited School Counseling program is designed for licensure in Virginia and may be used for reciprocity through licensure or accreditation in another state. Along with successful completion of this degree, two years of prior teaching and/or school counseling experience will be needed to obtain a full license in Virginia. Those who do not have prior teaching and/or school counseling experience may qualify for a provisional license through accreditation according to the regulations of each state.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | ||
| Counseling Courses | ||
| COUC 502 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| COUC 504 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| COUC 515 | Research and Program Evaluation 1 | 3 |
| COUC 522 | Career Development and Counseling | 3 |
| School Counseling Classes | ||
| COSC 500 | Gate 2/Orientation to School Counseling | 0 |
| COSC 501 | Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in School Counseling | 3 |
| COSC 505 | Counseling Techniques for School Counseling 2 | 3 |
| COSC 510 | Theories of School Counseling | 3 |
| COSC 512 | Structured Groups 3 | 3 |
| COSC 513 | Gate 2.5/Practicum Application 4 | 0 |
| School Counseing Advanced Courses | ||
| COSC 521 | Foundations of Exceptionality | 3 |
| COSC 604 | Foundations of Education and School Counseling | 3 |
| COSC 611 | Counseling Children and Adolescents in Schools: Social Emotional Development and Exceptionalities | 3 |
| COSC 612 | Advanced School Counseling Interventions | 3 |
| COSC 622 | Assessment and Evaluation in School Counseling | 3 |
| COSC 660 | Principles of School Counseling | 3 |
| COSC 661 | School Counseling Program Development and Evaluation | 3 |
| COSC 662 | School Counselors as Leaders: Consultation, Collaboration, and Integration | 3 |
| COSC 665 | Crisis Counseling in Schools | 3 |
| Professional Courses | ||
| COSC 690 | Gate 3.0/Internship I Application | 0 |
| COSC 691 | Gate 3.5/Internship II Application | 0 |
| COSC 692 | School Counseling Practicum 5 | 3 |
| COSC 693 | School Counseling Internship I 5 | 3 |
| COSC 694 | School Counseling Internship II 5 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Students must successfully complete three hours of undergraduate coursework in statistics. Those who did not complete this course during their undergraduate program may fulfill this prerequisite requirement during the first two semesters of the program.
- 2
This course requires synchronous participation.
- 3
This course requires synchronous participation, after the successful completion of COSC 505.
- 4
A background check will be required.
- 5
One semester of field experience must be at the elementary level, and one semester of field experience must be at the secondary level.
Additional Major Requirements
- Two courses require synchronous participation1
All applicable prerequisites must be met
Notes
- Take the PRAXIS 5422: School Counseling exam or state equivalent school counseling content state exam. National Counselor Exam (NCE) may be taken during the final semester of the program (NCE is optional. If passed, may lead to National Certified Counselor/NCC).
Graduation Requirements
- Complete 60 hours
- A maximum of 50% of the program hours may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
- 3.0 GPA
- No more than two grades of C may be applied to the degree (includes grades of C+ & C-)
- No grade of D or below may be applied to the degree (includes grades of D+ & D-)
- Degree must be completed within 7 years
- Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student’s anticipated graduation date
Program Offered in Online Format
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| COSC 500 | Gate 2/Orientation to School Counseling 1 | 0 |
| COSC 501 | Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in School Counseling | 3 |
| COSC 510 | Theories of School Counseling | 3 |
| COUC 502 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| COUC 504 | Multicultural Counseling | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| COSC 505 | Counseling Techniques for School Counseling | 3 |
| COSC 604 | Foundations of Education and School Counseling | 3 |
| COSC 611 | Counseling Children and Adolescents in Schools: Social Emotional Development and Exceptionalities | 3 |
| COSC 612 | Advanced School Counseling Interventions | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Third Semester | ||
| COSC 512 | Structured Groups | 3 |
| COSC 513 | Gate 2.5/Practicum Application | 0 |
| COSC 660 | Principles of School Counseling | 3 |
| COSC 661 | School Counseling Program Development and Evaluation | 3 |
| COUC 522 | Career Development and Counseling | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| COSC 622 | Assessment and Evaluation in School Counseling | 3 |
| COSC 662 | School Counselors as Leaders: Consultation, Collaboration, and Integration | 3 |
| COSC 665 | Crisis Counseling in Schools | 3 |
| COSC 690 | Gate 3.0/Internship I Application | 0 |
| COSC 692 | School Counseling Practicum | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fifth Semester | ||
| COSC 521 | Foundations of Exceptionality | 3 |
| COSC 691 | Gate 3.5/Internship II Application | 0 |
| COSC 693 | School Counseling Internship I | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| COSC 694 | School Counseling Internship II | 3 |
| COUC 515 | Research and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
National Counselor Exam (NCE) may be taken during the final semester of the program (NCE is optional - if passed may lead to National Certified Counselor/NCC).
- 1
Submit Gate 2 during the first semester.
All applicable prerequisites must be met