M.S. in Counseling

Prepare for a career as a mental health professional.

Help children, teens, adults, and families manage and overcome challenges that impact emotions, behavior, and relationships. Whether you dream of becoming a school counselor or working in a clinical mental health setting, the theoretical, hands-on, and clinical training you will receive at Marian University will help you reach your career goals.

In your classes and training experiences, you will learn how to think about psychology, counseling, and science while employing a social justice framework. You will consider issues of power, privilege, and systematic and institutional influences on behavior and health and learn appropriate interventions with your clients.

When you complete this degree, you'll have the tools to conduct evidence-based assessments, individual and group psychotherapy, and consultation/evaluation.

Our master's in counseling programs offer two tracks.

Both tracks are full-time, two-year programs delivered on campus. Part-time students may be considered in some circumstances.

CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING TRACK

Marian's clinical mental health counseling degree is designed for students who want a broader curriculum in applied psychology with a goal of conducting evidence-based assessment and treatment of people with mental illness and related problems.

Courses in this 60-credit program will give you the knowledge and tools to conduct clinical interventions with diverse groups of clients of all ages. You will explore methods, techniques, and best practices for helping clients cope more effectively with psychiatric diagnoses and other psychosocial stressors. In addition, you'll complete 1,000 hours of supervised practicum/internship experiences.

Upon graduation, you'll be ready to apply for Licensed Mental health Counselor (LMHC) credentials in Indiana. As a LMHC, you can:

Assess and diagnose clients with a wide range of mental illness.
Implement an array of evidence-based treatment modalities to guide clients to improved psychosocial wellness.
Know when and how to help clients obtain resources and services for improved quality of life, identify signs of abuse, and recognize those at risk for harming themselves or others.
Establish a professional identity as a scientist-practitioner.

SCHOOL COUNSELING TRACK

Licensed school counselors work with children and teens in public and private K-12 school settings. They help elementary and secondary students build required skills for academic and social success.

School counselors meet with students individually for one-on-one sessions. They lead group sessions for students experiencing similar challenges or barriers to success. They also create and deliver special programs or curriculum about topics that can impact all youth, like abuse, divorce, bullying, drugs and alcohol, suicide, and family issues.

Our 48-credit curriculum includes a range of required courses on relevant topics identified in the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) core competencies. It also includes 700 hours of supervised practicum/internship experience. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to:

Pursue initial K-12 school counseling licensure through the Indiana Department of Education.
Successfully complete Indiana's CORE Assessments for Educators.
Apply Indiana's Rules for Educator Preparation and Accountability (REPA) standards.

Request more information!

Reputation and accreditation matter!

Most Innovative 2022 logo Marian University is ranked #2 Most Innovative School among Midwest Regional Universities for 2022, according to the U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, Marian jumped one spot to #27 (out of 157) for Best Midwest Regional Universities.

You want a university with a great reputation, and one with a long and respected history. Marian University was founded in 1851 and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Do I need an undergraduate degree in psychology?

You don’t. You will, however, need to be sure to complete the prerequisites in lifespan development, abnormal psychology, and research methods or statistics before you begin the program. You can take these classes at Marian or at another accredited college or university and send your transcript with proof of successful completion prior to your first semester of enrollment
What if my GPA is below the 3.0 minimum?

All application materials are considered in making admissions decisions. In exceptional circumstances, students may be admitted with a GPA below 3.0.
Do you require the GRE?

No, the GRE is optional.
Is there any program funding available?

Aside from any financial aid you may receive through completing the FAFSA and working with the Financial Aid Office, the program has 2 Graduate Assistantships available. These positions are $5,000 for the academic year, and they require approximately 5 hours of work/week.
When are classes?

First year classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays, and second year classes are Mondays and Wednesdays. For clinical mental health counseling track students, classes generally are scheduled between 11 a.m.-6 p.m. For school counseling track students, classes start no earlier than 4 p.m. and end by around 8 p.m. A downloadable sample schedule is available here. Once you begin your clinical training, you can expect to be at your training site on some or all of the other days.

There will be occasional program activities that are outside of scheduled class times, and you will be provided these dates well ahead of time to make necessary accommodations.
Are all classes on campus? Are there any online classes?

The Marian University counseling program is an in-person, on-campus program, which we think is the best way to learn how to be a counselor. Most classes will be entirely in-person, while others will utilize a hybrid model, with some in-person time and some online time. While some classes in the school counseling program are offered online, it is rare for mental health counseling classes to be offered completely online.
Is it possible to work while in the program?

Yes, and most of our students do have some kind of employment while they are in the program. It is important to know, however, that work schedules that are flexible or nontraditional (e.g. weekend and/or overnight hours) may be necessary. Because your clinical training will be mostly or entirely during normal work hours, a traditional full-time 9-5 job is likely not possible once you are on your practicum (10 hours/week) and internship (20-25 hours/week).
What types of settings will I be training in?

We have partnerships in Indy and the surrounding areas with a wide array of service providers new training sites are being regularly developed. Hospitals, community mental health centers, counseling centers, practices are all possibilities.

A few of the partnerships we have include:
Cancer Support Community Central Indiana
Damar
Butler University Counseling Center
Families First
IUPUI Counseling Center
Fairbanks
InWell
St. Vincent Stress Center
How do I find sites?

We provide students with a list of approved sites about a month after starting the program. You are welcome to reach out to other sites that you are interested in, but they must be reviewed and approved by program faculty or the director.
What about licensure?

Faculty provide you with the tools and the support to keep track of your hours for licensure and help you through the process. Students are eligible to be considered for licensure in Indiana as soon as their diplomas are conferred, which is usually the end of August/beginning of September.

Apply Online

Contact an advisor at GRadmissions@marian.edu or (317) 955-6400 to speak with an advisor.