The school counseling specialization will require 60 graduate credits and the mental health counseling program will require 60 credits.

Graduates of the school counseling specialization will be eligible to be licensed as school counselors (K-12) in Virginia.

Graduates of the mental health counseling specialization will have completed all coursework required to become licensed as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia and can begin their two years of supervised experience required to become an LPC upon graduation from the program.

The degree programs will be designed for part-time students who will take two courses each semester.  The school counseling specialization may be completed in 10 consecutive semesters (including summers) and the mental health counseling specialization may be completed in 10 semesters (including summers).  Both specializations require a 100-hour practicum that will be completed in an approved school or mental health agency setting.  A 600-hour internship is required in schools for school counseling specialization students or in mental health agencies for mental health counseling students.  The internship must be completed 20 hours a week for 2 semesters or 40 hours per week for one semester.  The practicum and internship must be completed at the end of the degree program.

All courses in the program must be completed at the NCI campus in Martinsville and will be offered in a two or four weekend format. 

Graduate students who have not been admitted to the master's degree program may take up to 12 credits as an Old Dominion University  non-degree graduate student prior to being admitted.  In the event students are later admitted to the master's degree program, the 12 credits completed will be applied to the degree program.  Taking and completing courses as a non-degree graduate student does not guarantee admission to the program.  Courses available to non-degree students are restricted to COUN 601, COUN 633, COUN 635, and COUN 650.  Students who wish to take graduate courses as a non-degree graduate student should apply to ODU online and should indicate they are NOT applying for a degree program.  Once admitted, non-degree graduate students may register online for the four courses that are listed above.