Counseling and Human Development Radford University

Overview

The Counseling and Human Development programme at Radford University provides a comprehensive foundation for students aiming to become professional facilitators of human change. This Master of Science degree is designed to blend theoretical knowledge with intensive clinical engagement to ensure graduates are prepared for diverse professional settings.

The curriculum is structured to foster both personal and professional evolution through a unique combination of directed experiences and supervised practice. Students can choose between two primary concentrations: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which emphasises various therapeutic approaches, or School Counseling, which prepares individuals to support students in grades K-12.

Why Counseling and Human Development at Radford University?

Radford University offers a distinctive learning environment where the focus remains on situated learning and high levels of student engagement. The Department of Counselor Education prides itself on a competitive admission process that values diversity and selects candidates based on their potential for success in the helping professions.

Facilities and teaching methods at the institution are geared towards creating a thoughtful and caring environment for future counselors. The programme is intensely clinical, ensuring that every student develops a robust individual style of counseling through a blend of academic coursework and hands-on supervised clinical practice.

Furthermore, the department provides academic pathways that align with the requirements established by the Virginia Board of Counseling. This ensures that graduates are well-positioned to pursue state licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors or obtain professional endorsements for school-based roles across the Commonwealth.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 19820 per year
• National fee: USD 19820 per year
• Local fee: USD 10132 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to meet professional regulatory standards and includes a sequence of essential clinical components. Modules may include:

• Individual Counseling Techniques
• Group Counseling Techniques
• Professional Identity, Function and Ethics
• Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
• Counseling and Psychotherapy Techniques
• Human Growth and Development
• Group Counseling and Psychotherapy, Theories and Techniques
• Career Counseling and Development Theories and Techniques
• Appraisal, Evaluation and Diagnostic Procedures
• Abnormal Behavior and Psychopathology
• Multicultural Counseling, Theories and Techniques
• Research
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Addictive Disorders
• Marriage and Family Systems Theory

Careers with Counseling and Human Development

Graduates of this programme are prepared for a variety of roles within the mental health and education sectors. Those completing the school concentration are eligible for licensure as Virginia school counselors, serving students from kindergarten through to grade 12 in leadership and advocacy positions.

For those pursuing the clinical mental health track, the programme provides the necessary academic background to seek employment as professional counselors in community agencies or private practice. Many graduates also choose to pursue advanced doctoral studies or seek licensure as Licensed Professional Counselors to work in diverse clinical environments.