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Discover Academic Excellence in Our Online Counseling Courses

The curriculum associated with the William & Mary Online Master of Education in Counseling is nationally recognized for its collaborative approach to coursework and its emphasis on interactive learning environments. In a decades-long history of academic excellence, our counseling students have successfully taken advantage of attentive mentoring from faculty and transitioned effectively from the role of scholar to counselor.

Now you are invited to do the same. Pursue a concentration in School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC), or the Military and Veterans Counseling specialization within CMHC, and take advantage of a curriculum that emphasizes personal and interpersonal growth, cultural responsiveness and social justice in all aspects of counseling, and the alignment of theory and practice to maximize counselor impact. Your participation in this renowned program will help prepare you to engage a diverse clientele, empowering them with the ability to manage their own well-being, ease distress and resolve crises.

Become Immersed in On-Site Learning

The Online M.Ed. in Counseling programs require that students participate in two on-site residencies which will take place before students begin their practicum and again before starting their internship.* Residencies take place at William & Mary's historic campus in beautiful Williamsburg, Virginia, and last three days, during which students will engage with their instructors one-on-one and participate in a variety of experiential learning activities, including:

  • Roleplay exercises emphasizing cultural responsiveness, social justice and ethical treatment
  • Practice incorporating key competencies into professional practice
  • Exploration of feedback received from faculty and peers
  • Lecture series that speaks to diversity and social awareness
  • Student presentations on advocacy, demonstrating personal movement from self-knowledge to action

Program Details

Three Paths:

Each program path is 60 credit hours and includes:

  • Practicum (3 credits) will require 100 clock hours at a school or CMHC site placement over two minimesters (an average of 8-10 hours per week for each 7.5-week minimester) and attendance at weekly synchronous class meetings with faculty.
  • Internship (2 courses, 6 credits) will require a total of 600 hours over four minimesters (an average of 18 hours per week on-site for each 7.5-week minimester), and attendance at regularly scheduled synchronous class meetings with faculty.

*Note: The supervised practicum and internship are taken concurrently with other courses and occur at the end of year 2 and in year 3. School counseling students only take Practicum and Internship in Fall and Spring semesters.

Complete the program in as few as 17 minimesters. Minimesters are 7.5 weeks each, and there are two minimesters in the timeframe of a more traditional semester. You can start classes in August, January or May.

View Admissions Requirements

William & Mary Master of Education in Counseling Curriculum

All course requirements for the degree, including the residencies and practicums, are listed below, and courses must be completed in the order listed.

The curriculum for each of the three degree paths begins with core courses during the first four minimesters.

Minor differentiation in course requirements begins in the fifth minimester for the School Counseling program. Because there are few differences between paths, the courses for the first two years are listed together.

Course requirements diverge more significantly in the third year. Because of these differences, the third-year courses are listed separately for each degree path.

Year 1

EDUC C43 – Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Counseling (3 credits)

This course will provide students with a foundation in issues that affect the profession of counseling. Students will examine: (1) professional issues, including professional identity, history and systems of counseling, professional organizations, counseling settings and counselor functions and research issues affecting the conceptual base of the profession, (2) counseling ethics and ethical dilemmas, and (3) legal decisions that affect the practice of counseling. The course will emphasize active student participation in the exploration of these issues.

EDUC C32 – Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy (3 credits)

A study of the major concepts and practices of contemporary therapeutic systems as well as an overview of developmental and psychopathological issues presented by clients.

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EDUC F09 – Human Growth and Development: A Life-Span Perspective (3 credits)

An investigation of the nature of developmental themes and tasks across the human life span from infancy through the late adult years. The life-span developmental approach used incorporates knowledge from multiple disciplines to describe and explain developmental processes in their many contexts: physical, familial, psychological, historical and socio-cultural. A major focus is the application of theory and research to the promotion of healthy development through education and human services.

EDUC 624 – Theory and Practice of Multicultural Counseling (3 credits)

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the cultural differences of the major racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. Through self-disclosure, individual experiences, group presentations and lectures, the students will gain a better knowledge of these groups and the cross-cultural counseling methods to work with them.

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Students on the Clinical and Mental Health and Military and Veterans degree paths will take EDUC C46. Students on the School Counseling path will take EDUC C35.

EDUC C46 – Contemporary Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3 credits)

This course provides counselors who will work as licensed practitioners in clinical mental health settings with an understanding of the historical and philosophical background of clinical mental health counseling. It will cover the forces that influence the development of clinical mental health counseling, the role of the clinical mental health counselor, professional issues unique to clinical mental health counseling, client characteristics, principles of clinical mental health counseling, community needs assessment and counseling program development.

EDUC C35 – Introduction to Professional School Counseling (3 credits)

This course is designed to give prospective school counselors: (a) an understanding of the historical impetus which led to the development of counselors and counseling programs in schools; (b) a means to make practical use of the counseling and guidance theories and techniques as they apply in the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) requirements; (c) exposure to administrative activities which provide the framework for school counseling services; (d) prevention and intervention strategies which contribute to students’ academic career and personal social growth and development; and (e) an understanding of proactive leadership as it relates to student advocacy as well as the challenge of developing new paradigms for the future.

EDUC C33 – Techniques of Counseling (3 credits)

An intensive study of techniques utilized in individual counseling. Extensive use is made of case data and role playing.

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EDUC C10 – Counseling Residency I (0 credits)

During this, the first of two three-day residencies at William & Mary’s historic campus, you will have the opportunity to engage individually with instructors and participate in various activities with your classmates.

Year 2

EDUC 645 – The Counselor and Psychopathology (3 credits)

This course covers the types of psychopathology most often encountered in counseling settings. Students are introduced to the diagnostic categories of the most current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual with particular emphasis placed on making appropriate diagnoses and the use of these diagnoses for treatment planning and intervention strategies.

EDUC F67 – Psychological and Educational Measurement (3 credits)

An introduction to the use of educational and psychological assessment procedures used by educators and other helping professionals. The course deals with the selection, administration and scoring of psychological assessment techniques and the interpretation and application of their results.

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EDUC F65 – Research Methods in Education (3 credits)

A study of the methods and techniques generally employed in research. Emphasis is placed on understanding the research literature which forms the basis of professional education. The course includes the study of some selected statistical methods used as tools in research, data analysis and the field of educational tests and measurement.

EDUC C34 – Group Theory and Techniques (3 credits)

Group Theory and Techniques provides both theoretical and experiential understandings of group purpose, development, dynamics, techniques and skills, and various group approaches. The course focuses on helping beginning group leaders apply their new knowledge to working in groups with children, adolescents and adults across diverse settings. Counseling theories and their application to working with groups are given consideration throughout the course. Through the use of experiential activities, both in and outside the classroom, students will acquire experience in conducting counseling, psychoeducational and task/work groups.

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EDUC C11 – Counseling Residency II (0 credits)

During the second on-campus residency, you will again have the opportunity to engage individually with instructors and deepen your mastery of competencies through individual and group activities.

EDUC 627 – Marriage and Family Counseling (3 credits)

A survey course that examines the origin and dynamics of family systems theory and its application to the practice of marriage and family counseling. Students are introduced to various theoretical explanations for why people behave the way they do in marital and family relationships, to verbal and nonverbal interaction patterns operating within family relationships and to multiple approaches to therapeutic intervention with families.

EDUC C31 – Career Development (3 credits)

A study of the occupational structure of our society, of factors influencing career development and of techniques for providing educational and occupational information. Both individual and group activities are stressed.

Practicum

All students are required to complete the two-minimester Counseling Practicum Course.

Students in the School Counseling concentration will take it in the last two minimesters of their second year, in conjunction with one other course per minimester.

Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration and the Military and Veterans specialization will take the practicum in the beginning two minimesters of their third year, in conjunction with one other course per minimester.

EDUC C42 – Supervised Practicum in Counseling (3 credits)

Taken concurrently with the last two courses of Year 2. The Counseling Practicum course is designed to provide students in counseling with their first client contact in a closely supervised setting. It is designed to help students begin to translate their academic understanding into actual counseling practice. Students complete a predetermined number of hours of individual and group counseling in laboratory and field settings under supervision by doctoral-level Practicum Supervisors, the counseling faculty and qualified field placement site supervisors.

Year 3

Course content and sequencing vary significantly for the different concentration/specialization paths during year three, so courses are listed individually by path from here forward. As in the earlier parts of the program, courses must be taken in the order listed.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

EDUC C44 – Addictions Counseling (3 credits)

This course is designed to cover those counseling theories and techniques utilized with clients suffering from addictions or substance abuse. Treatments will be discussed from the perspective of the medical, recovery and transpersonal models of addiction.

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EDUC C29 – Substance Abuse and Society (3 credits)

This course examines substance use and abuse in contemporary society. Topics are treated from a multi-disciplinary perspective including biological, social, pharmacological, cultural, psychological, political, economic and legal aspects of substance abuse. Patterns of addiction, intervention and rehabilitation with respect to substance abuse also are analyzed. Assessments of the costs, options and alternatives to addiction along with educational efforts toward prevention are examined.

EDUC 625 – Couples Counseling and Sex Therapy (3 credits)

A course to give students an increased awareness of sexual issues and problems so that they can be sensitive and helpful to the people they counsel who have sexual difficulties or questions. It is also for counselors, teachers or administrators who will be involved in implementing or teaching programs of sex education. The course includes presentation of factual information and curricula and theories of sex education and therapy, as well as an opportunity for students to explore their own sexual attitudes, feelings and values.

EDUC 636 – Addictions and Family Systems (3 credits)

This course is intended to merge the conceptualization and practice of two areas, family systems and addictions. The course is designed to explore these two areas, their impact on each other and to present an integrated view of family systems and the process of addiction and recovery.

EDUC C47 – Supervised Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3 credits)

Taken concurrently with the last three courses of Year 3.* The internship is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate and improve their counseling skills in an agency setting. Students complete a minimum of 600 hours of counseling experience in a community agency setting under both university and field supervision. In addition, participation in a weekly group supervision session and an experience log are required.

*Note: Students take EDUC C47 twice, in each of two consecutive semesters, resulting in a total of a minimum of 600 hours of counseling experience.

EDUC C45 – Transpersonal Counseling (3 credits)

This course offers an analysis of the field of transpersonal counseling; theory, research and practice. The relationship of transpersonal theories to traditional theories will be examined. Special attention will be devoted to the use of transpersonal approaches in addictions counseling and substance abuse prevention.

Military and Veterans Counseling

EDUC C51 – Military Life, Culture and Challenges (3 credits)

This course examines the history and mission of various U.S. military branches, including their values, social structure, chain of command, work ethic, job demands and language.

EDUC C29 – Substance Abuse and Society (3 credits)

This course examines substance use and abuse in contemporary society. Topics are treated from a multi-disciplinary perspective including biological, social, pharmacological, cultural, psychological, political, economic and legal aspects of substance abuse. Patterns of addiction, intervention and rehabilitation with respect to substance abuse also are analyzed. Assessments of the costs, options and alternatives to addiction along with educational efforts toward prevention are examined.

EDUC 625 – Couples Counseling and Sex Therapy (3 credits)

A course to give students an increased awareness of sexual issues and problems so that they can be sensitive and helpful to the people they counsel who have sexual difficulties or questions. It is also for counselors, teachers or administrators who will be involved in implementing or teaching programs of sex education. The course includes the presentation of factual information and curricula and theories of sex education and therapy, as well as an opportunity for students to explore their own sexual attitudes, feelings and values.

EDUC C52 – Assessment and Treatment of Trauma-Related Disorders (3 credits)

This course informs students about physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral symptoms of trauma-related stress reactions and traumatic brain injuries.

EDUC C47 – Supervised Internship in Military and Veterans Counseling (3 credits)

Taken concurrently with the last three courses of Year 3.* The internship is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate and improve their counseling skills in an agency setting. Students complete a minimum of 600 hours of counseling experience in a community agency setting under both university and field supervision. In addition, participation in a weekly group supervision session and an experience log are required.

*Note: Students take EDUC C47 twice, in each of two consecutive semesters, resulting in a total of a minimum of 600 hours of counseling experience.

EDUC C53 - Military-to-Veteran Transition (3 credits)

This course provides students with skills needed to assist military service members and their families as they transition from active duty to veteran status. Students will acquire working knowledge of federal, state and local support resources that are currently available to assist military service members in the transition process.

School Counseling

EDUC 675 – Theories & Strategies for Counseling School-Aged Children (3 credits)

The focus of this course is on the understanding and application of contemporary theories of counseling for school-aged children and adolescents. Theories will be studied with respect to key concepts, the therapeutic process and goals and specific techniques. Students will apply their skills in practice sessions with school-aged children. The physiological, cognitive, social and emotional development of children as well as their environment (including the school) will be emphasized so that interventions are consistent with the children’s needs.

CRIN X48 – Current Trends and Legal Issues in Educating Special Populations (3 credits)

This is an introductory course which examines disabilities included in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and emphasizes relevant legislation and litigation which provides a foundation for current delivery of educational services. Course content also provides the opportunity to explore issues related to the education of other groups of exceptional students who might be at-risk for school failure because of special needs; i.e. gifted, limited English proficiency, culturally diverse and socially maladjusted.

EDUC C29 – Substance Abuse and Society (3 credits)

This course examines substance use and abuse in contemporary society. Topics are treated from a multi-disciplinary perspective including biological, social, pharmacological, cultural, psychological, political, economic and legal aspects of substance abuse. Patterns of addiction, intervention and rehabilitation in respect to substance abuse also are analyzed. Assessments of the costs, options and alternatives to addiction along with educational efforts toward prevention are examined.

EDUC C91 – Advanced Issues in Professional School Counseling (3 credits)

Designed as a “bookend” course to complement “Introduction to School Counseling” and to serve as a capstone to the school counseling track, this course acquaints students with the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of comprehensive school guidance and counseling programs.

EDUC C49 – Supervised Internship in School Counseling (3 credits)

Taken concurrently with the last three courses of Wheel 3. This counseling internship is designed two give advanced students in counseling the opportunity to put into practice the skills and knowledge they have developed throughout their counseling program. Students complete a minimum of 600 hours of counseling experience in a school setting under both college and field supervision. In addition, participation in a weekly group supervision session on campus is required.

*Note: Students take EDUC C49 twice, in each of two consecutive semesters, resulting in a total of a minimum of 600 hours of counseling experience.

EDUC 638 – Prevention and Intervention within Public Schools (3 credits)

This course informs school psychology graduate students about effective prevention and intervention programs and strategies that can be implemented within public school settings. The course highlights empirically supported methods for promoting school success through both preventative and remedial strategies across the grade levels. School-based strategies for enhancing academic achievement, fostering social competence and preventing behavior and adjustment problems will be presented. Students will begin to develop expertise in designing, implementing and evaluating prevention and intervention programs within public school settings.
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