M.S. in Counseling

The Master of Science in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) from Divine Mercy University is a program that embraces the Catholic-Christian vision of the person and educates on the core dispositions established by industry standards. Students acquire the necessary counseling knowledge and skills to engage in communities as effective community leaders and social justice advocates. Graduates are compassionate and ethical in their work as trained professionals that honor and respect the innate dignity of every person in a global, diverse population.

The Divine Mercy University online M.S. in Counseling degree requires 66 semester credit hours of coursework, as well as a practicum experience of 100 hours with a minimum of 40 hours of direct services and an internship of 600 hours with a minimum of 240 hours of direct service.  Students are also required to travel to complete three extended weekend residencies in the duration of the program.

State-of-the-art technology is used for both asynchronous (traditional online learning) with significant use of videotaping of various clinical and professional skills to be reviewed by peers and faculty, and synchronous learning where students will have virtual face-to-face interactions in their learning process.

Master level professional counselors are employed by a variety of organizations including:

The Board of Directors of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in the School of Counseling at Divine Mercy University. The accreditation cycle for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialty area started on July 6, 2023 and runs through October 31, 2031.

Start your application today or schedule a call with an Admissions Advisor who can help guide you through the process.

Professional licensure disclosures

The Divine Mercy University, School of Counseling (SOC) offers a Master of Science in Counseling degree with an entry-level specialty program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC). The CMHC program is 66 semester credit hours and designed to meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in most states. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to the following programs in the School of Counseling at Divine Mercy University: M.S. in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In some states, additional educational requirements through the SOC are necessary to meet the professional licensing requirements.. Determination regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program are provided for each state and U.S. territory as follows: (Click the + icon to read information on each category).

The following table lists the determination whether the 66 semester credit hour master’s level CMHC program at Divine Mercy University meets the educational requirements for professional licensure for each state and U.S. territory, along with a link to the professional licensing boards, for public disclosure and making informed decisions. For states indicating the program “Does Not Meet” requirements for licensure, please refer to the “Additional Requirements Provided by SOC to Meet Educational Licensure Requirements” for details on how these requirements might be met.

The 66 semester credit hour master’s level CMHC program at Divine Mercy University meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in this state.

The 66 semester credit hour master’s level CMHC program at Divine Mercy University does not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in this state.

Requires 67 credit hours: SOC provides the required course COUN 711, Telemental Health Counseling and Supervision (1 credit)

Requires 69 credit hours: SOC provides the required course COUN 730 Psychopharmacology (3 credits)

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program Mission

The mission of the DMU School of Counseling entry-level specialty program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is to teach and train graduates for community practice as competent, culturally sensitive, ethical, and morally sound professional counselors prepared to provide diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders and to effectively facilitate flourishing and personal transformation. Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduates are prepared to serve in their communities as advocates for social justice, and as service-oriented facilitators of mental health and wellness with a focus on respect for dignity in diversity and the human person.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Philosophy

This program is designed to prepare professionals for practice who will have the presence, knowledge, and skills to address a wide variety of circumstances within the context of the specialization of Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Students will be prepared to

1. Hear the rich and complex voices of clients in view of each person's flourishing, even in the midst of human difficulty and challenge.
2. Demonstrate compassionate and versatile interpersonal skills to develop healing relationships with clients in collaboration with other professionals.
3. Become professional counselors who, informed by a Catholic Christian vision of the flourishing person, inspire themselves and others to have courage to trust, hope, and love.

In order to be considered for enrollment in a graduate program of Divine Mercy University, applicants must fulfill certain admission requirements. Below is a list of the requirements for the Master of Science in Counseling program within the School of Counseling (SOC).

Before you apply, please review below to ensure you qualify to apply to the M.S. in Counseling Program based on your location. Divine Mercy University (DMU) is obligated to comply with other states' laws regarding the delivery of distance education to residents of other states. State laws regarding distance education vary state-by-state, and even program-by-program within a state.

For additional state and licensure disclaimers, please scroll to the bottom.

Application Deadlines

Fall 2026

• Early application deadline: June 23
• Final application deadline (last day for all admissions documents to be submitted): July 27
• Final Scholarship and discounts deadline: July 20th (If you apply after this date your scholarship application will be considered for the following semester)

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Space is limited! Application prior to deadline is strongly encouraged! Personal interview required.

Admission Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education.
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA:
  • Minimum overall 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 GPA in the applicant's major field of study, or a minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 credits in the applicant's undergraduate degree.
  • In rare circumstances, applicants with a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 may be considered for admission. An applicant with such circumstances should contact the Admissions Office directly before completing the application process.
• Complete the application process which includes:
  • Completed Application for Admission document
  • One Recommendation Form from an Academic Reference – If you believe you may have trouble obtaining an academic reference, please contact the Admissions Office to discuss this requirement.
  • Submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions even if a degree was not awarded.
  • Submission of essays as noted in Application for Admission document.
  • Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume
  • $55 application fee
• Availability for two video conference interviews after submission of all application materials.
  • Individual interview with admissions
  • Group interview with other applicants and SOC faculty
• International applicants must have completed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's level degree. Applicants holding degrees from outside the United States must submit any international transcript(s) to a NACES approved evaluation service for a course-by-course evaluation of their transcripts. For more information, please visit the NACES website at: www.naces.org.
• International Students whose first language is not English or who have not completed a degree in which English was the medium of instruction must have taken the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) within the past two years, and the scores must be submitted directly to DMU by the testing agency. TOEFL scores must be at least 100 on the Internet-based version (IBT), 250 on the computer-based version (CBT), and 600 on the paper-based version (PBT). Academic IELTS scores must fall into the overall band of at least 7.0, with no individual band scores below 6.0.

After all application materials have been completed and received by our Admissions office, the applicant will be invited to schedule a video conference interview with admissions. Pending the outcome of the individual meeting with admissions, a group video conference interview with other applicants and the SOC faculty members will follow. If you are seeking admission to a program after the Primary Application Deadline has passed, please contact Admissions for further assistance and to inquire if additional spaces may still be available. Note that seating is limited and cohorts may fill to capacity prior to published deadlines.

Please note that individuals seeking admission to multiple programs of study (i.e., M.S. Counseling and Psy.D. Clinical Psychology), must submit separate applications specific to each individual program.

CMHC Clinical Placement Orientation Course (CPO)

CMHC Clinical Placement Orientation Course covers the information and steps necessary to prepare for clinical placement. It is a required course beginning approximately 6 months prior to when the COUN 690 Counseling Practicum course begins. This course also introduces students to the supervision software utilized throughout clinical placement. Students gain an understanding of the conceptual framework that guides the clinical placement process and review important elements of the Clinical Placement handbook. (0 credit hrs)

COUN 500 Counseling Advisement

COUN 500 Counseling Advisement must be taken each semester a student is enrolled in the School of Counseling. This courses covers the initial program orientation which is scheduled during the first days of fall and spring semesters, subsequent advisement course content is provided. Students are required to visit the online course website at least once a week. Various brief meetings may be scheduled during the student's course of study. This course introduces new students to the knowledge, skills, and characteristics related to being successful in the program. Students gain an understanding of the conceptual framework that guides the program and review important elements of the School of Counseling program handbook. Course evaluations and student Professional Performance Reviews are posted in this course for students to fill out each semester. (0 credit hrs) (Pass/Fail)

COUN 510 Foundations and Ethics of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

COUN 510 Foundations and Ethics of Clinical Mental Health Counseling introduces students to the profession of clinical mental health counseling, including professional roles, identity and functions, the history and philosophy of the profession, scope of practice, ethical and professional practice issues, credentialing, and the role of professional associations in students' professional development. Students will explore the multiple functions of counselors across specialty areas and the relationships with integrated behavioral healthcare systems. They will also consider the importance of advocacy for mental health service needs across diverse populations. Students will begin to explore and interpret situations based on federal laws, state regulations, and professional guidelines and best practices. The course ends with a 4 day residency to assess and deepen students' understanding and practice of these foundational concepts in professional counseling. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 520 Theories and Models of Counseling and Personality

COUN 520 Theories and Models of Counseling and Personality introduces students to the primary theoretical models of personality theory and counseling practice, including psychodynamic, affective, cognitive behavioral, humanistic, interpersonal, multicultural, integrative, and systems theory. A focus on evidence-based practices that incorporate diversity issues with population-specific approaches is a significant feature of this course. Emphasis is on the importance of students recognizing belief systems that accurately reflect their own personal style and to recognize strategies and approaches likely to be most successful with a particular client population. Students will utilize case conceptualization to demonstrate their understanding of theoretical foundations as the basis of clinical practice and to evaluate and assess clinical situations for implementation of therapeutic interventions that are appropriate with diverse individuals, groups, and families. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 530 Human Growth and Development across the Lifespan

COUN 530 Human Growth and Development across the Lifespan introduces students to the biological, neurological, physiological, cognitive, social, emotional, religious / spiritual and cultural domains set forth by the major theories of human growth and development. Developmental theories such as learning and personality are addressed, as well as those that are related to individuals, families, the larger social context, and environment. Students will begin to conceptualize the needs of their clients within a developmentally appropriate framework and to develop culturally sensitive and relevant strategies for promoting resilience and optimum development, wellness, and flourishing across the lifespan. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 540 Career Development

COUN 540 Career Development introduces students to vocational theory and career counseling. Students explore the historical foundations of vocational theory and are assessed on understanding strategies for applying career, avocational, educational, occupational, and labor market information in client evaluation and assessment of career planning and decision making. Vocational and career counseling is examined as an integral component of the overall assessment and treatment of clients representing diverse populations found within the scope of community, mental health, and marriage and family counseling. Students demonstrate ethical and culturally relevant counseling competencies necessary in the provision of career and vocational counseling to diverse clients across the lifespan. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 550 Research and Program Evaluation

COUN 550 Research and Program Evaluation introduces students to basic research methods and designs, reliability and validity of research, evidence based research, and critical evaluation of published research. Students will be introduced to scales of measurement, descriptive statistics, and basic univariate inferential statistics commonly used in counseling research and program evaluation. Students will demonstrate understanding of using ethical and culturally relevant strategies for conducting, interpreting, and reporting research study results and identify evidence-based counseling practices as well as strategies for developing and using outcomes measures in counseling programs. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 560 Social and Cultural Diversity

COUN 560 Social and Cultural Diversity introduces students to profession accepted counseling techniques to address the diverse, cultural context of individuals and their relationships between and within groups, as well as issues and trends in a diverse society. The counselor's role in social justice and client advocacy are investigated with a focus on heritage, attitudes, beliefs, understandings, and acculturative experiences. Comprehensive, advanced knowledge of diversity factors that include age, ethnicity, nationality, spirituality, religious preferences, gender, sexual orientation, mental and physical characteristics, and socioeconomic status are assessed. Students will assess their own global orientation to different individual and familial worldviews through this study of history and development of cultural values and behaviors and demonstrate their knowledge of effective counselor multicultural assessment, diagnoses, and interventions. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 570 Marriage and Family Systems Theory

COUN 570 Marriage and Family Systems Theory introduces students to the historical and theoretical bases for the practice of marriage, couple, and family counseling. Special attention is given to an overview of foundational systems-oriented theories (Bowenian, Strategic, Structural, etc.), and the impact of issues such as gender, culture, and ethnicity on the family system. Students will examine their own assumptions about families and begin to develop increased congruence between their assumptions, philosophical/theological presuppositions, and the various theoretical perspectives on family development, functioning, interaction and intervention. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 580 Counseling Skills and Helping Relationships

COUN 580 Counseling Skills and Helping Relationships introduces foundational counseling philosophy and helping skills essential to conducting effective counseling. Students focus on developing clinical mental health counseling skills, establishing rapport and building therapeutic relationships while applying ethical and legal standards of practice. Emphasis is on how the person of the counselor impacts the therapeutic alliance with clients along with what the counselor does in the session to help facilitate client change. This course is taught from a relationship-centered, strengths-based model utilizing feedback. Students will participate in mock counseling sessions with peers in order to practice and demonstrate basic counseling skills and techniques. The course ends with a 4 day residency to assess and deepen students counseling skills. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 600 Developmental Psychopathology — Risk and Resilience

COUN 600 Developmental Psychopathology — Risk and Resilience introduces students to the concept of developmental psychopathology along the continuum of stress, distress, and disorder with focus on behavioral, experiential, and relational manifestations of mental health. This course reinforces the comparative distinctions between normative and psychopathological developmental pathways from infancy through adolescence. The current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is introduced as a method for categorizing symptoms and for classifying psychopathology as necessary for diagnoses, conceptualization, and treatment of mental disorders. A variety of perspectives on psychopathology are presented to form an integrative and systemic context for diagnostic considerations. Emphasis is placed on understanding cultural, biological, social, and spiritual / religious domains, along with the factors of risk and human resilience in the development of psychiatric disorders. Students will be able to develop an understanding of clients through this comprehensive model of psychopathology. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 610 Group Counseling and Group Work

COUN 610 Group Counseling and Group Work introduces students to a range of theoretical and experiential group counseling structures and strategies involving group development, group processes, and group dynamics in clinical settings. An in-depth exploration is focused on group formation including recruiting, screening and selecting group members. A focus on group developmental theories, group member roles and behaviors, leadership styles, types of groups and professional standards for group leaders prepares students for advanced work in group counseling interventions. Students are required to engage in diverse, culturally relevant direct group experiences defined within a small group activity approved by the instructor of the course within the School of Counseling guidelines, and to document at least 10 clock hours of group work during this course. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 620 Assessment and Testing across the Lifespan

COUN 620 Assessment and Testing across the Lifespan reinforces student understanding of intellectual, academic achievement, personality, and psychopathology tests and other appraisal methods used in the counseling field for individuals, couples and families. Focus will be given to assessment of different dimensions of functioning- behavioral, emotional, psychological, and personality among children, adolescents, adults, couples, and family dynamics. Students will develop advanced skills in the selection, administration, and interpretation of assessment tools used to evaluate client issues and functioning for individuals, couples and families. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 630 Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

COUN 630 Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Planning reinforces assessment and diagnostic skills necessary for the diagnoses of psychopathology with a focus on differential diagnosis, case conceptualization, client-engaged treatment planning, and clinical mental health intervention. Students synthesize understanding and critical thinking skills required to clinically assess, diagnose and treat atypical symptoms, multiple diagnoses, and co-occurring criteria. Students will conduct in-depth exploration of the legal and ethical use of appropriate surveys, instruments and tests accepted in the industry when rendering diagnoses aligned with current DSM criteria. Students will demonstrate the knowledge and ability to assess and develop working diagnoses and treatment plans including for behaviors of potential harm to self and others. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 640 Crisis & Trauma — Prevention and Treatment

COUN 640 Crisis & Trauma — Prevention and Treatment introduces students to the foundations, contextual dimensions, and basic knowledge and skills to function in specialized settings of agency, community and emergency environments. Emphasis will be placed on providing intervention in clinical, disaster, crisis, and traumatic situations, including emergencies in which triage, intervention, support, referral and advocacy are required. Specialized areas will include counselor self-care; wellness and prevention; suicide de-escalation, crisis incident stress management, psychological first aid, other trauma informed interventions and treatment, and emergency management response teams. Attention is given to the role that spirituality and religion play in helping or hindering persons in crisis. Students will be able to utilize and assess intervention strategies in crisis and trauma situations. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 650 Addictions Counseling

COUN 650 Addictions Counseling introduces students to an overview of the challenges associated with addiction and its widespread impact on individuals, families and communities. This course is designed to address the various dynamics, models, etiologies, diagnoses, psychopathologies, and recovery strategies related to addiction counseling. Students will identify the empirically supported assessment and treatment interventions shown to be effective for individuals, families, groups, and diverse populations, as well as be familiar with the emerging issues in the field based upon current research to include exploration of co-occurring and trauma-related disorders. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 660 Child and Adolescent Counseling

COUN 660 Child and Adolescent Counseling introduces students with the basic principles of counseling children and adolescents within the context of family, school, and socio-cultural and religious systems. The emphasis is on helping students develop their own individual style in forming therapeutic relationships with children and adolescents, and in assessing students' selection and use of evidence-based therapeutic skills and techniques, including therapeutic mediums such as toys, audio/visual aids, games, cognitive treatment, and behavioral programs. A special focus is given to parent training and parents as co-therapists. Legal and ethical issues specific to working with children are addressed. Students will acquire introductory knowledge of different therapy models, assessments for counseling, and skills related to working with children and adolescents. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 670 Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling

COUN 670 Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling introduces models and methods of intervention with couples and families to develop effective professional skills for working with couples and families. Techniques, assessments, interventions, and strategies will be researched, discussed, and practiced to develop preventive approaches as well as approaches to facilitate optimal functioning in the midst of various challenges in marriage, couple, and family life (e.g., step family issues, divorce/remarriage, extramarital affairs, etc.). A special emphasis will be placed on families and change, coping with stressful events and transitions in family life. Students will acquire introductory knowledge of relationship dynamics, assessment, and skills related to working with couples and families. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 690 Counseling Practicum/Advanced Clinical Intervention Skills

COUN 690 Counseling Practicum/Advanced Clinical Intervention Skills provides students with an initial experience in delivering counseling services to diverse individuals, couples, families, and groups. This experience requires a minimum of 100 hours on site in a clinical placement setting, 40 of which must be direct service, face-to-face with clients conducting intake / assessments, treatment planning, and interventions. Students will participate in individual and group supervision in which they will review their counseling sessions for discussion and evaluation. Student performance is monitored throughout the course and includes a formal evaluation at the middle and end of the course. Students will be able to demonstrate the necessary clinical and ethical competencies in the areas of diagnostic interviewing and assessment, case conceptualization, diverse / cultural contextualization, goal setting, treatment planning, counseling intervention, and case management. The course begins with a 4 day residency to assess and deepen students understanding and practice of the needed professionalism and clinical skills for a counseling practicum. (3 credit hrs) (Pass/Fail)

COUN 691 & COUN 692 Counseling Internship 1 & 2

COUN 691 & COUN 692 Counseling Internship 1 & 2 provide students with advanced experiences in delivering counseling services to diverse individuals, couples, families, and groups. This is a two semester experience that requires a minimum of 600 hours on site, 240 of which must be direct service, face-to-face with clients conducting intake / assessments, differential diagnoses, treatment planning, and interventions. Students will participate in individual and group supervision in which they will review their counseling sessions for discussion and evaluation. Student performance is monitored throughout the course and includes a formal evaluation at the middle and end of each of the internship courses to assess mastery of essential counseling techniques, evidence-based practice, and advanced clinical skills. Students will be able to demonstrate advanced clinical and ethical competencies in the areas of diagnostic interviewing, case conceptualization, diverse cultural contextualization, client-engaged goal setting, treatment planning, counseling intervention, and case management. (3 credit hrs per course) (Pass/Fail)

COUN 693 Counseling Internship 3

COUN 693 Counseling Internship 3 is designed for students who are currently seeing clients and have not completed their required supervised internship hours and/or are currently not enrolled in any regular internship course. This course provide students with advanced experiences in delivering counseling services to diverse individuals, couples, families, and groups. This course continues the internship experience that requires a minimum of 600 hours on site, 240 of which must be direct service, face-to-face with clients conducting intake / assessments, differential diagnoses, treatment planning, and interventions. Students will participate in individual and group supervision in which they will review their counseling sessions for discussion and evaluation. Student performance is monitored throughout the course and includes a formal evaluation at the middle and end of each of the internship courses to assess mastery of essential counseling techniques, evidence-based practice, and advanced clinical skills. Students will be able to demonstrate advanced clinical and ethical competencies in the areas of diagnostic interviewing, case conceptualization, diverse cultural contextualization, client-engaged goal setting, treatment planning, counseling intervention, and case management. This course may be repeated as needed and is offered based on student need. Internship site supervision and the classroom component are required until internship hour requirements are met and the internship contract is fulfilled. (1-3 credit hours based on projected need for student) (Pass/Fail)

COUN 694 Supplemental Counseling Internship

COUN 694 Supplemental Counseling Internship is designed as a course for students who have not completed their required internship hours in COUN 692 Internship 2 or COUN 693 Internship 3. This course continues the internship experience from their last required Internship with supervised direct service, face-to-face counseling services with individuals, couples, families, and groups. Students will continue to complete intakes and assessments and provide differential diagnoses, treatment planning, and interventions for their clients. Students will participate in individual and group supervision in which they will review their counseling sessions for discussion and evaluation. Student performance is monitored throughout the course and includes a formal evaluation at the middle and end of each of the internship courses to assess mastery of essential counseling techniques, evidence-based practice, and advanced clinical skills. Students will be able to demonstrate advanced clinical and ethical competencies in the areas of diagnostic interviewing, case conceptualization, diverse cultural contextualization, client-engaged goal setting, treatment planning, counseling intervention, and case management. This course may be repeated as needed and is offered on an ad hoc basis depending on student need. Internship site supervision and the classroom component are required during COUN 694 until all internship hour requirements for their last required Internship are met and the internship Site Supervision Contract is fulfilled. (1-3 credit hours based on projected need for student)

PHT 513 The Flourishing Person

PHT 513 Vocations and Virtues: The Flourishing Person introduces students to a Catholic-Christian integrative vision of personal and interpersonal flourishing through vocations and the virtues and its application to counseling. This course explores how the vision of human flourishing that one adopts is crucial for understanding and promoting human development and addressing human problems. The course addresses the theory and implications of: the human person's dignity in the light of being created in the image of God as male and female; the effects of sin and redeeming grace; a vocation and virtue approach; a personalist and natural law approach; the person as a spiritual unity of body and soul that is relational, emotional, rational, and free. Students will learn how to take a holistic and transformative approach, which integrates Biblical/theological, philosophical, and bio-psycho-social-cultural perspectives into a global understanding of the human person and flourishing. Students will develop the mindset and competencies needed to understand and assess the integrative potential of different models of the person. (3 credit hrs)

PHT 523 Moral Character and Spiritual Flourishing

PHT 523 Moral Character and Spiritual Flourishing introduces students to a Catholic-Christian vision of personal and interpersonal flourishing in terms of vocations and virtues, and human and spiritual resources. The importance of a multidimensional model of vocation and virtue for everyday life and counseling will be explored. Students will examine how Catholic-Christian practices can be sources of relationship, support, growth, healing, and flourishing. Students will develop skills for achieving personal growth and freedom through building up their practical reasoning, moral character, and spiritual life of faith, hope, and charity, which have an impact on everyday life, mental health counseling, and vocational commitments. Students will reinforce their moral and spiritual formation, through personal reflections, and a cohort community of spiritual practice and interaction. (3 credit hrs)

PHT 533 Flourishing in Relationships

PHT 533 Flourishing in Relationships introduces students to the nature and discernment of vocational states of being single, married, ordained, or religious (consecrated). Emphasis is placed on courtship and on marriage, which is understood as a natural and divine institution that serves to support and protect individuals, families, and society. Students will examine the continuity and development of Catholic-Christian teaching on marriage and family in a historical, bio-psycho-social-cultural, philosophical, and theological context. Students will analyze several issues that are especially pertinent to clinical mental health counseling, including not only disorders and difficulties related to singleness, romance, marriage, and family life, but also supporting strengths and practices. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 710 Clinical Supervision and Consultation for Community Mental Health

COUN 710 Clinical Supervision and Consultation for Community Mental Health introduces clinical supervision and consultation theories and practice within various health and human services systems, including mental health hospital facilities, educational institutions, community counseling agencies, and private practice. Concepts, processes, and styles of clinical supervision and consultation within public and private sectors are explored. This course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to engage within interdisciplinary treatment teams in consultation, negotiation/mediation, and systems-level intervention in mental health settings. Students will be introduced to theoretical and practical approaches to administrative leadership in community mental health agencies, including finance, budgeting, and cost control. Students will acquire knowledge of the professional developmental issues of both supervisors and their supervisees, and methods that can be used to enhance competency and best practices in professional counseling clinical supervision and consultation. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 720 Human Sexuality

COUN 720 Human Sexuality introduces students to the relationship between mental health and human sexuality and the role of the professional counselor. Students are introduced to a foundational model of addressing sexual issues in counseling, sexual biology, development, and dysfunction. Students will explore the intersection of personal and professional values in counseling clients for sexuality related issues through an examination of social, cultural, philosophical, and theological perspectives. Students will utilize case conceptualization to demonstrate their understanding of the physiological, psychological, social, and cultural variables of human sexuality in diverse clinical situations and to evaluate and assess possible counseling interventions and referrals. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 730 Psychopharmacology

COUN 730 Psychopharmacology introduces students to the biological bases of behavior, basic classifications, indications, and contraindications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications. Attention will be paid to the professional counselor's role in the effective, multiculturally-competent, and ethical approaches to psycho-active medications (e.g., referral, consultation, monitoring, aftercare) when psychopharmacological interventions are part of treatment. Students will demonstrate their understanding of psychopharmacology by identifying clients in case studies who should be referred for medical evaluation and ongoing follow-up. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 740 Advanced Seminar: Professional Orientation, Law, and Ethical Standards of Professional Counseling

COUN 740 Advanced Seminar: Professional Orientation, Law, and Ethical Standards of Professional Counseling provides advanced training in professional orientation, law, and ethics in professional practice, research, and counselor preparation. The American Counseling Association (ACA) and the ACA Code of Ethics will be the primary professional identity organization and the primary professional conduct guide. Students will explore the legal and ethical issues, responsibilities, and culturally relevant strategies in clinical practice and supervision, counselor preparation, professional credentialing, research, counselor education leadership, and counseling advocacy practices. Students will develop an in-depth analysis of a specific legal or ethical issue relevant to the jurisdiction of their future professional setting. (3 credit hrs)

COUN 750 Advanced Evaluation of Mental and Emotional Disorders

COUN 750 Advanced Evaluation of Mental and Emotional Disorders provides advanced training in the assessment of client's mental and emotional health status. This course focuses on the administration and interpretation of individual and group standardized tests of mental ability, personality, and measurement. Focus will be given to both formal and informal assessment strategies and will include assessment of personality disorders and severe and persistent mental illness. Ethical and legal implications of testing and assessment will be covered, along with the impact of cultural and disability issues on assessment and how to use assessment data in an ethical manner with diverse populations. Students will develop advanced skills in assessment strategies in the context of differential diagnosis and treatment planning. (3 credit hrs)

The Master of Science in Counseling program requires 66 credit hours for graduation.

A practicum experience of 100 hours with a minimum of 40 hours of direct services and an internship of 600 hours with a minimum of 240 hours of direct service are required as part of the 66 course credits.

M.S. in Counseling Program Goals (Aspirational)

Graduates of the M.S. in Counseling degree program will be able to:

1. Exhibit a vibrant professional counselor identity with the foundational knowledge and skills of the profession.
2. Enter the client's life narrative with compassion and respect.
3. Develop person-centered, comprehensive case conceptualization for effective treatment planning.
4. Employ basic social and behavioral sciences, a habit of evidential reasoning, and the multiple roles of professional counseling to promote human flourishing.
5. Embody a vision of the flourishing person that inspires them, as professional counselors, and their clients to have courage to trust, hope and love.

Information about additional Student Learning Outcomes can be found in the Academic Catalog.

Completion Requirements

Students must satisfy the following academic and clinical requirements in order to graduate:

1. Complete all practicum, and internship requirements.
2. Complete all required hours of specified coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and no grade lower than a "B" (86%).
3. Fulfill the course requirements of COUN 500 Counseling Advisement each semester.
4. Take and pass the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) with a minimum raw score of 88 (65% Correct) to graduate from the program.
5. Submit proof of attendance of a live, in-person counseling association conference at the state, regional, national, or international level during their enrollment.
6. Receive a satisfactory faculty recommendation based upon the final Professional Performance Review. See the Program Handbook for information on the Professional Performance Review process.

Time Limitation

1. Students typically complete the program over a three-year period
2. The time limit for completion of all requirements is seven (7) years, measured from the date a student begins coursework in the M.S. in Counseling program

Thank you for taking the time to review our M.S. in Counseling academic catalog and learn more about the dynamic programs we have online at Divine Mercy University. We are inspired by the commitment of our students, faculty and alumni, and hope you are able to glimpse a bit of the incredible mission and team we have here.

The Master of Science in Counseling Catalog and Errata Sheets may be accessed using the links below.

• DMU Academic Calendar
• DMU Academic Catalog 2025-26 (PDF)
• DMU Errata Sheet 2024-26 (PDF)

The CMHC Program Handbook details the policies, procedures, and expectations for students enrolled in the Master of Science in Counseling program.

• Download the CMHC Program Handbook 2025-2026 (PDF)

The Divine Mercy University, School of Counseling (SOC) offers a Master of Science in Counseling degree with an entry-level specialty program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC). The CMHC program is 66 semester credit hours and designed to meet the educational requirements for professional counseling licensure in most states. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to the following programs in the School of Counseling at Divine Mercy University: M.S. in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In some states, additional educational requirements through the SOC are necessary to meet the professional licensing requirements. Determination regarding professional licensure eligibility associated with this program is provided for each state and U.S. territory below.

Meets. The 66 semester credit hour master's level CMHC program at Divine Mercy University meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in this state.

Does not meet. The 66 semester credit hour master's level CMHC program at Divine Mercy University does not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor in this state.

State-by-state determinations

States where the program meets educational requirements: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands.

States where additional coursework is required for licensure:

• Arkansas — Requires 67 credit hours. SOC provides the required course COUN 711, Telemental Health Counseling and Supervision (1 credit).
• California — Requires 69 credit hours. SOC provides the required course COUN 730 Psychopharmacology (3 credits).
• Florida — Requires 69 credit hours. SOC provides the required course COUN 720 Human Sexuality (3 credits).
• Hawaii — Requires an additional 20 hours of direct service / client contact during regular practicum / internship courses.
• Idaho — Requires 69 credit hours. SOC provides the required course COUN 693 Advanced Internship to complete 1,000 hours of practicum / internship (3 credits).
• Indiana — Requires 69 credit hours. SOC provides the required course COUN 710 Clinical Supervision and Consultation for Community Mental Health to meet the state requirement for coursework in Contextual Dimensions (3 credits).
• Maine — Requires 69 credit hours. SOC provides the required course COUN 693 Advanced Internship to complete 900 hours of practicum / internship (3 credits).
• Ohio — Requires 69 credit hours. SOC provides the required course COUN 750 Advanced Evaluation of Mental and Emotional Disorders (3 credits).

Does not meet: American Samoa.

Practicum and internship site disclaimer

Students are responsible for finding their own site, under the supervision of their Director of Training and Internships, to complete their practicum and internship hours. Please see the Program Handbook for details regarding the site approval process. Prior to enrollment, potential students who live in remote or rural areas should consider whether or not a sufficient opportunity exists to complete their practicum and internship hours, and to do so with proper supervision.

Disclaimer for military and foreign service

Applicants and students serving in the military or other foreign services and living or stationed abroad are responsible for completing their practicum and internship at sites located in the US. If the student is unable to return to the states to complete this portion of the program during the regular course program schedule, they may need to take a Leave of Absence until they are able to return to their state of intended residence for completion of these courses.

Disclaimer for U.S. territories and countries outside of the U.S.

The Divine Mercy University Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is not designed to meet licensure or certification standards for U.S. territories or any country foreign to the U.S. International students may not be able to secure the required elements for an appropriate site for completion of the Practicum / Internship portion of the program. Students are responsible for determining the licensure or certification requirements for any U.S. territory or foreign country in which they intend to practice.

For the complete state-by-state table with links to each state licensing board, see the legacy professional licensure disclosures page.