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At Franciscan University of Steubenville, you begin a journey of professional formation, intellectual growth, and spiritual development that prepares you for clinical counseling practice. Our Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program offers an education rooted in the Catholic faith and strengthened by rigorous academics.
Our mission is to form counselors in light of counseling theory, evidence-based practice, and Catholic anthropology. You’ll be equipped to promote the flourishing of individuals, families, and communities from diverse backgrounds with deep respect for the dignity of every person you serve.
The counseling master's program, accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) meets national standards for graduate education in clinical mental health counseling and helps prepare you for counselor licensure.
Franciscan’s on-campus clinical mental health counseling master’s program equips you to walk with others on the path to healing and human flourishing. Through an integrated, faith-informed curriculum, you’ll grow in key professional skills and in virtuous character. In this program, you’ll strengthen your:
Hands-on clinical experience: Put what you learn into practice through supervised practicums and internships. You’ll gain experience providing counseling to individuals, couples, families, and groups while learning the day-to- day realities of the profession—such as managing a caseload, cultivating strong therapeutic relationships, and maintaining accurate clinical documentation.
Foundational and specialized knowledge: Develop a strong grounding in counseling theories, assessment, and treatment planning so you can respond to a wide range of mental health needs. The program covers all core areas required for clinical mental health counseling and offers specialized study to deepen your understanding of marriage and family issues, crisis and trauma, and Christian counseling.
Professionalism rooted in virtue: Counseling is more than a set of skills—it is a vocation of service. At Franciscan, you’ll be formed in professional ethics and Christian virtue so you can navigate complex situations legally, morally, and pastorally. You’ll cultivate a deep respect for the value of every person and a commitment to upholding human dignity in all aspects of your work.
At Franciscan, our graduate admissions process reflects the cohort model of our program. Prospective students are encouraged to apply from September to April for a fall semester start, the most common entry point for students. Spring start is available with space permitting.
1. Admission Requirements
When applying to the master’s in clinical mental health counseling program, you must have a bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from a regionally accredited university or college.
At Franciscan, we do not require you to take a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) if your GPA is 3.0 and above. However, if you have an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or 3.0, you must take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and achieve a verbal score of 149.
2. Free Online Application
Your journey to Franciscan begins by submitting an online graduate application , which is easy, free, and straightforward.
3. Submit Documents
Along with your completed online application, please submit:
All official college or university transcripts (sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions by the issuing institution).
A résumé.
Three recommendations from a professional who can rate your dispositional fit for the counseling field.
English proficiency test results (if you are an international applicant whose first language or the country’s official language is not English).
All supplemental materials should be emailed to the Graduate Admissions office or sent to:
Graduate Admissions Office
Franciscan University of Steubenville
1235 University Boulevard
Steubenville, OH 43952
4. Interview
Please be available for a personal interview once you’ve sent in your application and additional documents. During this meeting, you will discuss your academic and professional background, long-term goals, and rationale for choosing Franciscan with our admissions committee to determine if our master’s in clinical mental health counseling program suits you and your unique needs.
Step into your calling as a clinical mental health counselor at Franciscan. In our graduate program, you build a strong foundation in counseling theory and techniques while developing the practical skills to serve diverse communities with compassion and cultural competency.
Your core coursework explores the vast complexities of human behavior and development, mental health evaluation, addiction, and counseling theories and techniques. By choosing a concentration that aligns with your interests, you can dive into specialized areas in marriage and family counseling, crisis and trauma therapy, and Christian counseling.
Along with the traditional classroom format, an integral part of your growth as a professional counselor is the hands-on experience you gain through your 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship in a public or private counseling agency. These experiential learning opportunities help transform theory into practical knowledge, strengthening the clinical skills needed to thrive in this growing field.
Explore Franciscan's graduate counseling program's curriculum.
Core Courses (48 Credits)
The foundation of your master’s in clinical mental health counseling program includes:
Research and Program Evaluation for Mental Health Counselors
Human Growth and Personality Development
Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Counseling
Theories and Techniques of Mental Health Counseling
Theories and Techniques of Marriage and Family Counseling
Therapeutic Techniques of Counseling
Mental Health Appraisal
Lifestyle and Career Development
Catholic Foundations for a Vocation in Professional Counseling
Group Dynamics and Mental Health Counseling
Social and Cultural Foundations
Practicum in Mental Health Counseling
Internship in Mental Health Counseling I
Internship in Mental Health Counseling II
Introduction to Addictions Counseling
Diagnosis for Mental Health Counselors
Available Concentrations
To help you prepare accordingly and specialize your counseling focus, the CMHC program offers you the opportunity to pursue one of three specialized areas of study. Each concentration includes one required course and two electives.
Christian Counseling Concentration (9 credits): In this track, you explore how faith and clinical counseling interconnect by diving into coursework in human sexuality and the Theology of the Body, pastoral counseling and its framework, and the Catholic approach to mental health counseling.
Crisis and Trauma Counseling Concentration (9 credits): This concentration prepares you to work with people from all backgrounds and experiences. Gain a trauma-informed perspective and therapeutic techniques to support individuals' path to healing.
Marriage and Family Concentration (9 credits): This concentration offers an in-depth study of the intricacies of marriage and family relationships from a Catholic worldview. Your courses explore various modalities of marriage and family counseling, child and adolescent development, and the principles of human sexuality.
Investing in a master’s in mental health counseling enriches your professional opportunities and purpose and puts you on the path to becoming a licensed counselor.
At Franciscan, we aim to make Catholic education and career training affordable and accessible. The average total cost for our MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is approximately $45,000. From navigating financial aid to managing payment options, we walk with you every step of the way to help you achieve your goals.
Explore Costs and FeesAnswer your calling to guide others toward healing and wholeness. With your clinical mental health counseling master’s degree from Franciscan, you’re equipped for various counseling jobs and employment settings, such as community mental health agencies, private practice, VA Hospitals, and substance abuse treatment facilities.
Because of our personalized support and robust clinical preparation, 100 percent of our graduates find employment within six months of graduation. Many also continue their graduate education to pursue their Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision or pastoral care and counseling.
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My experience has given me valuable exposure to organizations and institutions shaping the direction of America today. This is a wonderful opportunity to show faithful Catholics they can positively impact D.C. and propel them into various fields with the mission to, as Ezekiel 33 says, be ‘Watchmen for the Lord!’
— Ryan Mattingly Dy-Liacco ’27
Political Science BA
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Let your student experience at Franciscan inspire your growth. With career support, mentorship, and chapel ministries, you step into community, purpose, and a life devoted to service.
Alumni Network Career Services Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society Franciscan OutreachOur faculty brings more than 100 years of combined experience to your education. Along with enriching your professional development, they remain devoted to Catholic and human values and cultivate an environment that celebrates everyone’s dignity and worth. Explore our commitment to a Catholic approach to teaching and learning clinical mental health counseling.
The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Students in their last semester of coursework are eligible to sit for the National Counselor Exam (NCE), which is administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). For additional information about CACREP, please visit: www.cacrep.org. For additional information about NBCC, please visit: www.nbcc.org.
The CMHC Program meets the necessary educational and training components to allow graduates to apply for counselor licensure through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board and to prepare students for professional counselor licensure in most other states. The Program also prepares students to be certified by NBCC. Applicants for licensure must pass the National Counselor Exam (NCE) and/or the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE), as well as complete supervised clinical service hours for independent licensure. Prospective students are encouraged to become familiar with the licensure laws in the state in which they intend to practice.
For more information about Ohio counselor licensure, please visit: www.cswmft.ohio.gov.