Expert guidance. CACREP-aligned.
Expert guidance. CACREP-aligned.
Marquette’s counseling curriculum is designed for your success
The accredited online Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling curriculum grounded in the foundational skills prescribed by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and expertise gained from our experienced faculty. Build a foundation of essential counseling skills to become a compassionate, ethical, and effective counselor and–consider the option to enhance your skill set with a Child and Adolescent Counseling specialization.
After earning your degree, you will be prepared to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a licensed professional counselor in Wisconsin and in many other states. With Marquette's Jesuit values of service, reflection, and social justice, the curriculum prepares you to not only find a fulfilling career but also to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you serve.
Courses for counseling degree programs
Online clinical mental health counseling students will complete 60 credit hours: 15 core courses, 2 electives, 1 practicum course and 2 internship courses.
Core Courses
COUN 6000: Introduction to Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Introduction to the philosophical bases, history and development of counseling as a profession. Includes an emphasis on ethical and legal issues, as well as a focus on counselor roles and functions in various settings and current issues in professional practice. Addresses active listening and provides training in entry-level counseling skills through a laboratory experience.
COUN 6003: Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Introduces the roles and perspectives of clinical mental health counselors. Focuses on the professional knowledge base, skills and practices that are essential for counseling in a wide variety of clinical mental health settings. Introduces mental health delivery models and concepts, prevention strategies, interventions with target populations, crisis intervention, disaster responses and interventions for clients with mental disorders and their families. Prerequisite: COUN 6000
COUN 6012: Professional Ethics and Legal Issues in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Covers the ethical foundations and standards of the counseling profession. Focuses on how to apply ethical standards and legal and professional guidelines to situations faced by counselors in clinical mental health counseling settings. Discusses issues relevant to training, credentialing and professional issues in the field of counseling. Prerequisite: COUN 6003
COUN 6020: Life-Span Human Development (3 Credit Hours)
An examination of the interaction among biological, psychological, social and cultural factors that influence human development over the lifespan. Reviews theoretical frameworks describing optimal human development, as well as the developmental etiology of problematic behaviors. Discusses educational and counseling implications of these issues.
COUN 6030: Theories of Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Reviews and critically analyzes the major theoretical systems of counseling, as well as current research about counseling and therapy. Focuses on applying theoretical approaches and techniques to client conceptualization and counseling practice.
COUN 6040: Multicultural Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Covers current theory, research and practice approaches within the field of multicultural counseling. Explores the topic of cultural diversity across multiple aspects of identity, with a focus on implications for professional practice, including advocacy work. Prerequisites: COUN 6003 and COUN 6030
COUN 6050: Research Methods in Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Reviews theories underlying various research methodologies and the research process. Methods for needs assessment and program evaluation are considered. Includes development of a research proposal including the identification of a research problem and preparation of a research plan. Prerequisite: COUN 6003
COUN 6060: Psychopathology and Diagnosis (3 Credit Hours)
Covers concepts of psychopathology and introduces methods of assessment and diagnosis for children, adolescents and adults with major mental disorders and personality disorders. Multiple perspectives of clients’ emotional and psychological distress, disturbances and behaviors are considered. Focuses on the development of students’ knowledge and skills to use the DSM diagnostic system while including acknowledgement of client strengths and resilience and the social and cultural context.
COUN 6070: Assessment in Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Introduction to the basic concepts and methods for the psychological assessment of individuals in school, work and mental health settings. Testing and assessment is presented within an ethical, social and cultural context. Students’ knowledge and skills to select, use and interpret selected standardized tests, checklists and rating forms are developed. Measures for assessing intelligence, achievement, personality, vocational interests and mental health issues are covered as is the use of clinical interviews to identify client issues. Prerequisite: COUN 6003
COUN 6080: Career Development and Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Reviews theoretical approaches of career counseling and programming, as well as psychological, social and cultural factors that influence life-long career/vocational development. Components of career development programs and services are considered, as well as sources and uses of occupational and educational information. Prerequisite: COUN 6003
COUN 6120: Group Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Purposes, functions, types and principles of group counseling. Dynamics of group interaction. Leadership of groups. Understanding of and ability to engage in and evaluate small group processes and relationships. Prerequisite: COUN 6003
COUN 6130: Family Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Introduction to theoretical approaches and methods of family counseling. Overview of the history and current issues in family counseling. Prerequisite: COUN 6003
COUN 6150: Addictions Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Introduction to theory and research about the prevention and treatment of substance abuse disorders. Emphasizes research-supported strategies and counseling skills designed to meet individual client needs. Prerequisites: COUN 6000, COUN 6030 and COUN 6060
COUN 6170: Trauma Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Examines the theories and research regarding trauma, trauma response and trauma counseling. Reviews the psychological and physiological effects of various types of trauma. Focuses on case conceptualization skills and a trauma informed perspective and approach to counseling. Prerequisite: COUN 6965
COUN 6180: Advanced Diagnosis and Treatment in Counseling (3 Credit Hours)
Explores advanced counseling diagnosis, treatment planning and intervention skills based on evidence-based practice. Students learn how to implement a structured diagnostic interview, engage in differential diagnosis and develop treatment planning. An emphasis is placed on the application of cognitive-behavioral interventions for disorders identified in DSM-5, as well as student demonstrations of treatment interventions. Prerequisite: COUN 6965
Elective Courses
COUN 6160: Counseling with Children and Adolescents (3 Credit Hours)
Those pursuing our child and adolescent counseling specialization are required to take this course as one of their electives.
Developmental stages and tasks of children and adolescents; theories and techniques of developmental and remedial counseling with children and adolescents; warning signs, possible causes and prevention and intervention strategies of behavior problems. Focuses on the assessment and integration of strength-based counseling approaches in counseling children and adolescents and addresses collaboration and consultation with families, schools and communities. Prerequisites: COUN 6000, COUN 6030 and COUN 6060
Developmental stages and tasks of children and adolescents; theories and techniques of developmental and remedial counseling with children and adolescents; warning signs, possible causes and prevention and intervention strategies of behavior problems. Focuses on the assessment and integration of strength-based counseling approaches in counseling children and adolescents and addresses collaboration and consultation with families, schools and communities. Prerequisites: COUN 6000, COUN 6030 and COUN 6060
COUN 6090: Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disabilities (3 Credit Hours)
Medical and psychiatric care and rehabilitation; physical restoration; etiology, prognosis and therapy of common disabling conditions. Theory of psychosocial, cultural and contextual aspects of disability and the effect on disability management and quality of life. Psychiatric rehabilitation interventions address community assertive treatment, independent living and the clubhouse model. Prerequisite: COUN 6003
COUN 6986: Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3 Credit Hours*)
If their state requires 900 clinical hours for licensure, students can choose to complete a third internship course as an elective. Prerequisite: COUN 6965
Practicum and Clinical Courses
COUN 6965: Counseling Practicum (3 Credit Hours)
The supervised counseling practicum experience requires a minimum of 100 clock hours (including 40 direct hours) and leads to the development of counseling skills. Students are placed in settings that provide clinical training that is aligned with the general clinical mental counseling program or that is focused on their identified specialization (child-adolescent counseling). The practicum addresses clinical mental health counseling practice and professional issues relevant to each specialization. Prerequisites: COUN 6000, COUN 6003, COUN 6012, COUN 6020, COUN 6030, COUN 6060 and COUN 6120
COUN 6986: Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (3 Credit Hours*)
Supervised counseling experiences in assessment, diagnosis, intervention, prevention and consultation. Students engage in the internship activities at approved sites. Three credits of internship require a minimum of 300 clock hours of practicum activities. Students are placed in settings that provide clinical training that is aligned with the general clinical mental counseling program or that is focused on their identified specialization (child-adolescent counseling). Addresses clinical mental health counseling practice and professional issues relevant to the specialization track. Prerequisite: COUN 6965
*Two internship courses are required (6 credit hours total).
“Our classes are developed in light of our faculty’s clinical experience, which gives students an advantage in not only understanding material from a cerebral standpoint, but from a real-world standpoint giving them insight into application in a unique way.”
– Dr. Krystyne Mendoza
Clinical Assistant Professor, Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology
Make your mark in mental health care
Marquette University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program delivers an immersive online experience that combines counseling theory with contemporary therapeutic techniques and practical insights from expert faculty counselors. Pair your drive to serve with practical skills and diverse clinical experiences, ensuring you're ready to make a significant impact.
Discover how Marquette's social-justice focused course work and flexible online format can prepare you for a rewarding career in mental health.
Take the first step
Embark on a path of discovery. Emerge as a force for change.
Admissions Deadlines
Jul
14
Priority application deadline
July 14
Fall 2025 term
Aug
8
Final Application Packet Deadline
August 8
Fall 2025 term
Aug
14
Final Interview Deadline
August 14
Fall 2025 term
Aug
25
Next start
August 25
Fall 2025 term