Human Development Counseling (M.Ed.)

Vanderbilt University is consistently ranked among the top institutions in the United States and the world, known for its spirit of innovation, leadership, and commitment to advancing human potential. Within this environment, the HDC program at Peabody College stands out for its integration of evidence-based, trauma-informed, and developmentally grounded training that prepares counselors to serve individuals and communities across many contexts.

HDC students benefit from exceptional faculty mentorship, strong clinical partnerships, and a relational learning culture that emphasizes both professional excellence and personal growth. Faculty are leaders in counselor education, trauma-informed care, addiction, social-emotional learning, and resilience research, ensuring students receive a rigorous and relevant education that translates directly into practice.

As part of the Department of Human and Organizational Development, our mission extends beyond individual counseling to address systemic inequities and solve pressing social problems. Students gain access to the broader Vanderbilt network, a community of scholars, clinicians, and leaders across health, education, and public policy, providing unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and professional advancement.

Together, these qualities make Vanderbilt’s HDC program a place where students not only learn to become effective counselors but also innovators, advocates, and changemakers within the field of mental health.

We interview and accept students into our program once a year. The priority application deadline is in early December, with interviews in January. Accepted students start in Fall and follow a planned three-year cohort system.

When considering program fit and length, choose based on career, financial, and pace preferences. A three-year program offers breaks for work, travel, and rest, allowing for part-time jobs and work-life balance. The extended duration can also enhance learning and skill absorption from coursework and internships.

For consideration, credits should be at the graduate level and have earned grades of A, B, or their equivalent. These credits must align with HDC program areas and meet the required criteria. A maximum of nine credits are eligible for transfer, and transfers are only possible when you enter the program.

School Track: A student would be license eligible for initial school counselor license issued by the Tennessee Department of Education. A student must successfully complete the master’s program and pass the Praxis school counselor examination.

Clinical Track: A student would become temporary license eligible. This means that you can apply to the state board to become a ‘resident in counseling’ (each state may have different language for this). Once approved you then begin the supervised practice requirement, which can take 2-4 years in most states. Once you have completed your supervised hours and all of the administrative requirements, you can then apply for full licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Dual Track: When you graduate, you will be eligible for both pathways.

Applicants are strongly advised to learn the licensure requirements in the state in which they intend to practice to evaluate if this program meets that state’s educational requirements, or if they will have to take electives independently at another institution to meet course requirements.

There are a variety of graduate assistantship and student employment options available on campus, including administrative, research, and student life roles. Some positions offer hourly pay, while others provide stipends or partial tuition assistance (note: scholarships and tuition remission do not stack).

Once you officially accept your offer of admission, you will be added to several student listservs where assistantship and employment opportunities are regularly shared. As you consider your decision to join Vanderbilt, you may also explore the Peabody Master’s Student Job Board for current openings that can provide funding or relevant experience: https://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/student-life/peabody-mastersstudent-job-board/

Keep in mind that many assistantships are finalized during the summer months as graduating students complete their positions and departments confirm budgets for the upcoming academic year. We encourage you to check the job board frequently and attend any university or Peabody virtual information sessions about funding opportunities. When exploring positions, consider the weekly time commitment and flexibility with your course schedule and future internship placements.

Many students in the program hold part-time jobs, including on campus positions like graduate assistantships (GAs), teaching assistants, and research roles, as well as off-campus jobs such as serving, bartending, sales, coaching, and tutoring due to manageable schedules.

Most students work 10-20 hours per week through an assistantship, and some hold additional part-time, flexible jobs outside of the university. Time management is essential once practicum or internship begins, so communicate your academic and clinical schedule with your supervisor early.

Each student is assigned a faculty advisor for individualized academic and professional guidance their first week in the program. Advisors meet with students as requested and are available for additional support when needed.

The program handbook outlines required plans of study per track. Students take 3-4 classes a semester, typically lasting 3 hours once a week. Core classes may be offered once or twice a week, while electives are usually once a week. Classes are held throughout the day and evening (e.g. 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm, 3pm-6pm or 4pm -7pm), so flexibility is key due to varying faculty and classroom availability each semester.

School & Clinical Tracks: Spring semester of your second year.

Dual Track: School internship begins spring semester of your first year. Clinical internship begins the fall semester of your third year (full final year).

Our Clinical Coordinator works closely with students to ensure everyone is placed. While placements can take time, there are structured processes and contingency plans to support you. We will communicate proactively if any adjustments are necessary.

Each semester of clinical training includes both site and university supervision. Small group supervision fosters peer consultation and reflective learning in alignment with CACREP standards.

Towards the end of the program, there are additional costs including exam fees for the NCE/ NCMHCE and the Praxis, as well as expenses for liability insurance and counseling association memberships.

The program includes classes like developmental psychopathology, addictions, trauma, ethics, grief and loss, and human sexuality. Each class offers valuable tools and insights, with faculty teaching their specialties to encourage independent and critical thinking.

While HDC offers several electives, yes, with faculty approval. Students may take electives in Divinity, Psychology, or Leadership and Policy Studies when relevant to their professional goals, and if applicable to earn licensure.

Expect experiential and hands-on experiences like attending mutual aid meetings and treatment center visits, writing biopsychosocial assessments and treatment plans, and using mixed media like music and poetry to conceptualize topics in various classes.

Students explore working with specific populations and various therapeutic styles through coursework and faculty guidance to determine their preferred approach independently.

As a dual student, expect a rigorous experience that combines school and clinical track requirements. You will complete 5 semesters of internships and learn to apply counseling skills in both settings. This challenging path allows for the development of a diverse skill set and offers flexible career options after graduation.

Student well-being is central to our mission in HDC. We recognize that graduate training in counseling can be both deeply rewarding and emotionally demanding, and we are committed to supporting students holistically, as future counselors and as individuals.

All HDC students are required to complete six sessions of personal counseling prior to beginning Internship I. This requirement is grounded in the importance of setting aside intentional time for self-care, personal exploration, and working through our own human challenges before they may impact our counseling work. Through this process, students strengthen their capacity for insight, self-awareness, self-compassion, and resilience, all essential foundations for ethical and effective clinical practice.

In addition to this foundational requirement, we actively cultivate a culture of care and community throughout the program. The program hosts community-building events, social gatherings, and students coordinate cross-cohort activities designed to help students feel connected and supported.

When students experience challenges, the program has multiple layers of support in place:

• Students of Concern forms allow faculty or peers to share confidential concerns so that proactive outreach and resources can be provided.
• The Student Care Network connects students to counseling services, academic support, health resources, and crisis intervention as needed.
• Faculty advisors and instructors maintain open communication and help connect students with appropriate supports both within and outside the university.

We take pride in being a program that not only trains future counselors to care for others but also models what it means to care for oneself by fostering resilience, self-compassion, and professional sustainability.

Most students commute by car. Parking passes are available through Vanderbilt Parking Services, but can be expensive. Nashville’s bus system (WeGo) and ride-share apps can be useful, especially near downtown, but can be unpredictable and are not a reliable form of transportation to internship.

According to the website Payscale, Nashville's cost of living is 2 percent lower than the national average, although the cost of housing is slightly higher, with a median rent of $1,576 monthly. Factors like roommates, studios versus one-bedroom apartments, and houses versus apartments can affect rent prices. Check Zillow and apartments.com for more accurate estimates.

Nashville's public transportation system is currently unreliable and limited. To reach various internship sites across the city, having a car is essential as buses may not serve all necessary locations. While living near campus allows for walking or biking to classes, a car is required for commuting to internship sites.

Most HDC students live off campus and use resources like Vanderbilt’s Off-Campus Housing site, Zillow, Apartments.com, and local Facebook housing groups (e.g., Vanderbilt Off-Campus Housing). Leases in Nashville often renew May-July, so starting your search early is key.

Popular neighborhoods include neighborhoods include Midtown, East Nashville, 12 South, The Gulch, West End, Hillsboro Village, Green Hills, and The Nations. For more affordable options, students often look in Bellevue, Donelson, or West Nashville. Commutes range from 15-35 minutes depending on traffic. Each area has unique advantages and drawbacks, offering diverse options for living and playing.

Students are encouraged to attend conferences (TCA, TACES, ACA) and workshops hosted by faculty and local agencies. 

HDC prioritizes a collaborative, relational, and growth-oriented learning environment. Students support one another while developing professional identity and clinical confidence.

Get to know your faculty through engagement in class and setting up meetings, attending continuing education workshops frequently offered by Peabody College, or participating in faculty-led community events each year.

Full-time students typically take 3-4 courses per semester. Practicum and internship require additional hours at clinical sites, usually 10-20 hours weekly depending on the semester and hour requirement.

Students begin preparing for licensure and exploring career options during their first Foundations course, and then again in their final internship semester. Faculty advisors, Career Services, and alumni panels provide guidance on the licensure process and employment search.