Admission Requirements
Graduate of a four-year regionally accredited college or university.
- Official bachelor’s degree transcripts from an accredited college or university and all transcripts for subsequent coursework
- Minimum 2.75 overall undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale (options available if you do not meet this minimum)
- Two Letters of Recommendation related to your competence and effectiveness in your academic and professional work
- Resume
- Essay of 250 to 500 words addressing your reasons for seeking graduate education in counseling, why this program would be a good fit for you, and why you would make a great counselor
- Interview required - will be scheduled by program after complete application received
- $40 application fee
- Criminal Background check required after admission to accept offer
International Student applicants should review the international admission requirements and standards for TOEFL scores
Apply Here
Costs & Financial Aid
Longwood offers an outstanding and affordable education.
$27,660 - Estimated in-state cost
$461 per credit hour
$66,480 - Estimated out-of-state cost
$1,108 per credit hour
These are based on current tuition rates and do not include textbooks.
Graduate Assistantships are available.
Visit Graduate student tuition estimates and hours for information.
Learn more about our Graduate Monthly Payment Plan.
Visit Longwood's Financial Aid webpage.
Cost of Attendance
Field Experiences
Practicum and Internship
Students in both tracks are required to complete a 100-hour supervised practicum experience towards the beginning of their second year of study. Each track also requires 600 hours of supervised internship experience at or near the end of their program of study.
The mental health counseling internship is typically distributed across two semesters. The school counseling internship is typically completed in one semester.
Licensure
Licensure in Virginia
School Counseling
- Visit doe.virginia.gov
- Select Licensure on the right-hand side
- Complete the Application for a Virginia License – Pupil Personnel Services License
- Receive college verification from the Longwood University Office of Teacher Preparation
Mental Health Counseling
Visit the Virginia Department of Health Professions website for:
Licensure in Other States
This program was designed to meet licensure requirements only in Virginia. As such, it may not meet licensure requirements in other states.
View information on Longwood’s programs and professional licensure/certification determinations in other states and US territories.
Deadlines
December 1 - Early Bird Decision Application Submission Date (decision made by the holidays)
January 15 – Early Application Submission Date
February 15 – Standard Application Submission Date
These are suggested application submission dates. We will continue to accept applications until the program is full.
Want to check if the program is full? Email us, graduate@longwood.edu.
Mission Statement
Through a collaborative and supportive environment, the Longwood University graduate Counselor Education Program fosters competent, ethical, and culturally sensitive counselors prepared to deliver direct, educational, and consultative services in a variety of mental health-related settings to people across the lifespan.
The Master’s program in Counselor Education will
- Prepare students to be effective practitioners in a variety of settings
- Provide required coursework and field experience for professional licensure and/or certification (clinical, school, college/university)
- Provide knowledge about and experience in culturally responsive counseling in various counseling settings
- Produce graduates with identities as professional counselors
- Prepare students with the knowledge and experience to be ethical counseling practitioners
Program Flyer
View, download, and print the Master of Science in Counseling (pdf) flyer.
CACREP Accreditation
CACREP Accreditation Reports for Longwood University’s Master of Science in Counselor Education:
