Credentials Needed/Sought & Plan for Completing Credentialing Requirements in terms of
coursework, client contact, supervision, specialized training, professional organization
involvement, etc.

The credential I am actively seeking is my Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling. I am in a CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accredited graduate program, establishing the quality and credibility of the program by meeting the professions standards. These standards include specific course work in the curriculum. For example, within my syllabi there are certain work requirements that meet CACREP standards that the students must attain a certain grade on in order to pass the class. There is an initial practicum of 100 hours, and a final internship of 600 hours, where students are supervised while practicing counseling. Because I want to work with children in my future, I would like to find a placement where I am interacting with children and can received specialized training with this specific population. Moreover, Longwood’s counseling education program fulfills the academic requirements of full licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia. Accreditation is important in this profession, which is one reason I chose this CACREP accredited program that sets me up to be certified as an LPC following my graduation. I am currently on the standard track, meaning I should complete all of the required course work for graduation in another 2 and a half years. Once I obtain my masters degree and am certified as an LPC, I want to become certified as a Registered Play Therapist (RTP). I want to counsel children in my future, so becoming certified in play therapy is an important part of my accreditation journey as a counselor. Regarding professional organizations, I would like to be involved in the Virginia Counseling Association (VCA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA). I think these are great opportunities to network and connect with other counselors.