Marian University’s master’s in counseling degree prepares mental health professionals who help children, teens, adults, and families overcome challenges that impact human emotions, behaviors, and relationships. Our innovative curriculum has roots in the scientist-practitioner training model and takes a holistic approach to mental health that integrates mind, body, and spirit.
This is a two-year, full-time graduate program that prepares students for careers as counselors in schools, nonprofits, agencies, hospitals, and clinics. The employment outlook for licensed mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists is very strong. A projected 19 percent growth in jobs is anticipated through 2033. When you complete this degree, you’ll have the tools to conduct evidence-based individual and group psychotherapy and consultation/evaluation.
Whether you complete the clinical mental health or school counseling track, you’ll experience a curriculum that teaches key skills and builds your competency in core concepts identified by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC). Our courses focus on subjects such as:
Both tracks are offered on our Indianapolis campus. Part-time students may be considered in some circumstances.
Marian’s clinical mental health track is a 60-credit program that includes both a broad in-class curriculum and internship experience. Students who graduate in this track are eligible to apply for their Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) credentials in Indiana. Graduates of this track are able to seek employment in various settings, diagnose clients, and more.
Marian also offers a school counseling track that is 60 credits. Like the mental health track, school counseling includes internship experience. Students are eligible for K-12 school counseling licensure and can work towards positions in public and private school settings. Students in this track may also complete the clinical mental health track by completing an additional 15 hours of coursework.
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is collaborating with Marian University's College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Department of Psychological Science and Counseling, and Fred S. Klipsch Educator's College's (KEC) Center for Vibrant Schools (CVS) in Indianapolis, Indiana, to implement the proposed School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) Grant Program. Through the Expanding Healthy Minds School-Based Mental Health Services Providers (Healthy Minds), the program will advance the recruitment, preparation, and continued development of highly effective new school-based mental health service providers.
Qualified applicants will participate in Marian University's Master of Science in Counseling program and work to receive their master's in school counseling while simultaneously working at a City Connects site. Currently, school sites with the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS), South Bend Community School Corporation (SBCSC), and Gary Community School Corporation (GCSC) are participating.
Approved participants will receive:
For information about the program, please contact Michael Slavkin, director of the Master of Science in School Counseling program at mslavkin@marian.edu or at (317) 955-6395.
The master's in counseling program is designed to meet the core competency standards of CACREP and MPCAC. The curriculum of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling track prepares students to apply for the initial Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC-A) credential in the state of Indiana. The curriculum of the School Counseling track is approved by the Indiana Department of Education and prepares students to apply for the initial K-12 school counseling credential in the state of Indiana. Any student planning to relocate to another state after completion of the program can seek guidance from the program director, Michael Slavkin, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC (mslavkin@marian.edu), and should consult with that state’s licensing board.
Currently, no program funding exists for masters-level students.
First-year classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays, and second-year classes are Mondays and Wednesdays. Classes start no earlier than 4 p.m. and end around 8 p.m. 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.
We have partnerships across Indianapolis 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, and practices are all possibilities.
A few of the partnerships we have include:
Marian University's Master of Science in Counseling degree provides internship experience and the chance to become a mental health professional. Interested in learning more about the M.S. in counseling program?
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