Ed.S. in Counseling

The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in counseling is designed to further develop and broaden students' knowledge and skills in counseling and to cultivate their capacity for leadership as professionals. The Ed.S. is suitable for master's degree level counselors who wish to earn an additional graduate degree in counseling, or for individuals with master's degrees in related fields who wish to satisfy the academic portion of the state requirements for licensure as a professional counselor. It is considered a terminal counseling practitioner's degree.

Admission

Applicants must have a master's degree. Applicants must submit an ODU Graduate School application, official transcripts from all universities previously attended, letters of recommendation, an essay, and GRE scores taken within the last 5 years. (The GRE score requirements is waived for applicants who hold a graduate degree from ODU or who hold a master's degree from a CACREP accredited counseling graduate program.)  Click on Admissions on the upper right for detailed admissions application instructions.

Non-matriculated or Non-degree Status

Students may take a maximum of 12 credits beyond their master's degree as a non-matriculated or non-degree student before being admitted into the program.

Continuance

Students must meet all University requirements. If faculty members have serious concerns about a student's satisfactory progress in the program, they may initiate a process that could lead to the student being asked to withdraw. Students have the right to appeal decisions made by faculty.

Exit

Students must successfully complete the required course of study (minimum of 30 credits) with a grade point average of 3.00 or better, and pass a written comprehensive examination.

Program Requirements

The Education Specialist degree in counseling requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work beyond the master's degree.

Required Courses

Graduate courses listed below must have been completed prior to beginning the Ed.S. degree program or must be completed as a part of the Ed.S. degree program.  An Ed.S. degree program must include a minimum of 30 credits.

Up to 12 graduate courses may be transferred into the Ed.S. program and may count as the 30 minimum credits required.  Transfer courses must have been taken after the master's degree was awarded, and must have been taken no more than 6 years prior to earning the Ed.S. degree.  If transfer credits are out of date, each out of date course must be updated through an exam administered by the Graduate Program Director.

x = Required Course

Minimum of 30 credits required that are to be taken as a part of the Ed.S. degree program or transferred into the Ed.S. degree program.