Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a Concentration in College Counseling and Student Affairs

The M.Ed. in Counselor Education with a concentration in college counseling and student affairs is a 60-credit-hour program designed to prepare counselors for higher education and community agencies throughout Virginia and the nation. The college counseling and student affairs concentration provides students with the specialized knowledge and skills necessary for employment as student affairs professionals in higher education settings. The program requires a minimum of two years of study to complete.

The faculty makes every effort to assist students in individualizing a graduate program to match their professional needs and interests. However, individualization takes place in an environment of legitimate constraints revolving around institutional, accreditation and licensure requirements. Faculty members view each program as more than simply an aggregate of courses, and students should plan all program work with their faculty advisers.

Whether your career goals include engaging in non-profit, higher education, K-12, or government entities, the VCU School of Education academic programs take learning to a new level. As the 16th best public graduate education school and 10th best online master in education based on U.S. News and World Report (2023), we do things differently. We are UNcommon at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Transforming lives. Serving communities. Learning Elevated. It’s more than an aspirational slogan. It’s our purpose. Our values of innovation, inclusion, community-focused, and collaboration guide us daily with diversity, equity, inclusion, and access at the center of our work. At VCU School of Education, we walk the walk. Come walk with us. VCU has been recognized four straight years as a Diversity Champion by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, and we follow suit in the VCU School of education with 32% of SOE students identifying as racially minoritized. Our faculty and staff are known around the world as leaders in education research and instruction, and they bring years of real-world experience to the classroom. Research shows that diversity drives excellence, and with our over $37.4 million dollar external funding supporting research, we make a big impact in challenging the status quo. VCU is ranked among the 30 most innovative public universities by the U.S. News and World Report, and the School of Education is ranked #13 school engagement by the National Science Foundation. If you are ready to be UNstoppable, join our community today.

Vision

To be a leader in responsive, needs-driven, and research-based educational practices that transform the lives of those we serve in our communities, especially those who have been historically marginalized.

Mission

We advance learning and knowledge through impactful research, teaching, and engagement to provide our students, professionals, and communities with the tools to create progressive change. We prepare and support professionals to lead change and inform social, economic, health, and educational policy and practice.

Values

• Innovative – Cultivate discovery, creativity, originality, inventiveness, and talent.
• Inclusive – Ensure a climate of mutual trust and respect where individuals of different cultural backgrounds, identities, abilities, and life experiences are embraced, engaged, and empowered to drive excellence and success.
• Community-focused – Build deliberate/intentional relationships with the surrounding community and engage in actions that focus on the needs of its people.
• Collaborative – Foster collegiality and cooperation with internal and external partners to advance learning, research, and service.