Program Overview

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Introduction to the Human Development Counseling Program

The Human Development Counseling (HDC) program at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College is designed to prepare students for effective counseling practice across various settings. The program offers a dynamic and supportive learning environment, emphasizing practical skill-building, professional growth, and collaboration with faculty and community partners.

Program Overview

The HDC program recognizes the dynamic relationship among individuals, environments, and human systems. Students learn to integrate current research and evidence-based practice with sensitivity to social contexts and individual and systemic goals. The program's mission is to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to maximize human potential and development.

Mission and Program Objectives

The program's objectives include:

• Providing students with a thorough knowledge base in the social/behavioral sciences applicable to the helping profession
• Aiding students in the acquisition of counseling and helping skills
• Providing students with a knowledge of the organization and administration of human service agencies or schools
• Educating students in research/evaluation tools relevant to the delivery of helping services
• Preparing students to engage respectfully and effectively with diverse individuals and communities

Careers in Human Development Counseling

The HDC program offers three curriculum tracks:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Graduates often pursue Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) licensure and find careers in for-profit or nonprofit agencies, private practices, or as school-based mental health counselors.
• School Counseling: Students often obtain licensure and work as school counselors in public or private K-12 settings, supporting students through critical growth years.
• Dual Track Option: This track prepares students for both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling licensure, offering flexibility to work in both fields.

Program Facts

• Program Directors: Jessica Tyler (Clinical Mental Health Counseling) and Nicole Cobb (School Counseling)
• Program Coordinator: Tonya Brown
• Admission Term: Fall
• Credit Hours: 60 for CMHC and School Counseling tracks, 66 for dual track
• CACREP accredited through March 31, 2030
• Applications for Fall 2026 open in early August, with a Priority Decision 1 date of December 1

Key Application Dates

• Priority Decision 1: December 1
• Priority Decision 2: January 3
• Rolling Decision: After January 3

Program Curriculum

The program curriculum includes:

• Clinical Mental Health Counseling: A 60-credit-hour program with a three-semester internship
• School Counseling: A 60-credit-hour program with a full-year internship in a variety of school settings
• Dual Track: A 66-credit-hour program combining Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling specialties, with five semesters of internship

Coursework

Courses are offered in person on Vanderbilt's campus and include:

• Core courses (51 credit hours)
• Elective courses (9 credit hours)
• Internship placements under clinical counseling supervision

Passing Rates, Degree Completion Rates, Job Placement Rates, and Program Outcome Reports

The program reports:

• Passing rates on credentialing exams (e.g., National Counselor Examination, Praxis Exam)
• Degree completion rates for each track (Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Dual Track)
• Job placement rates for graduates
• Program outcome reports (available for 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020)

Teacher Pathway Scholarship

The Teacher Pathway scholarship guarantees a minimum 30% scholarship to admitted students in initial licensure programs and advanced programs, and a minimum 20% scholarship for teacher leadership programs.

Selected Faculty Research

Faculty research interests include:

• Understanding and preventing violence and bullying among school-aged children
• The role of schools as continuing care for substance-use disorders
• Counseling and human development
• The ecology of schools

Human Development Counseling Program FAQs

Frequently asked questions address topics such as:

• What makes Vanderbilt's Human Development Counseling program distinctive
• The structure of the program
• The difference between the three-year program and other programs
• Transfer credits
• Licensure
• Assistantships and employment opportunities
• Support for student mental health and wellbeing
• Professional development opportunities

Faculty

The program faculty includes:

• Nicole A. Cobb, Professor of the Practice and School Counseling Internship Coordinator
• Karen Enyedy, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship Coordinator and Senior Lecturer
• Bradley T. Erford, Professor and Core Faculty
• Andrew Finch, Professor of the Practice and Chi Sigma Iota Faculty Advisor
• Maury Nation, Professor and Bob Innes Chair
• Douglas Ribeiro, Associate Professor of the Practice
• Jay Tift, Lecturer and Core Faculty
• Jessica Tyler, Program Director and Associate Professor of the Practice
• Tori Young, Assistant Professor of the Practice