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Master's in Counseling Program

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.

Counseling DiscussionThis 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 22 percent growth in jobs is anticipated through 2028. Completion of this degree will ensure having the skills to conduct evidence-based individual and group psychotherapy and consultation/evaluation.

Focal areas include clinical mental health counseling and school counseling.

Counseling Curriculum

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:

  1. Professional counseling orientation and ethical practice
  2. Social and cultural diversity
  3. Human growth and development
  4. Career development
  5. Counseling and helping relationships
  6. Group counseling and promoting social skills
  7. Assessment and testing
  8. Research and program evaluation

Both tracks are offered on our Indianapolis campus. Part-time students may be considered in some circumstances.

Clinical Mental Health Track

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.

School Counseling Track

Marian also offers a school counseling track that is 48-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.

Licensure

The Masters 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.

Master's in Counseling Program FAQ

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

All application materials are considered in making admissions decisions. In exceptional circumstances, students may be admitted with a GPA below 3.0.

No, the GRE is optional.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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. 

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.

Learn More about Earning Your Master's in Counseling at Marian!

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? Contact Michael Slavkin, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC at mslavkin@marian.edu. Come join us in this growing field!

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Marian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, age or disabilities in the selection of administrative personnel, faculty and staff, and students.
*Placement rates are gathered from data collected from graduates within six months of graduation.

Students may make a complaint to the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.

Marian University is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana.

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