The mission of the school counseling concentration is to prepare highly trained and
competent school counselors to effectively serve the K-12 population by assuming leadership
and advocacy roles to promote the development for all students, including those from diverse backgrounds and culturally diverse populations.
Objectives
The school counseling concentration is designed to prepare knowledgeable and competent
professional school counselors who:
- Become aware of and understand the professional school counseling standards in the
state of Virginia and in the nation;
- Learn the role, function, and professional identity of the school counselor as proscribed
by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and how it relates to other professional roles in public education;
- Learn how to develop specific strategies to implement a comprehensive school counseling
program, the ASCA National Model, and the ASCA standards to enhance the academic,
social/emotional, and career experiences of all students;
- Identify current issues, legal and ethical standards (ACA and ASCA), policies, and
laws relevant to school counseling in the state of Virginia and in the nation;
- Develop knowledge and understanding of community, environmental, and institutional
practices which support students’ academic, social/emotional, and career development;
- Become aware of and understand the specific needs of diverse populations in school
communities;
- Develop knowledge and application of emerging technology in education and school counseling
to assist students’ data collection, program evaluation, and use for further school
counseling program development;
- Know how to apply for licensure as a professional school counselor in the state of Virginia.