School of Counseling

School of Counseling

Welcome to Marymount University’s School of Counseling. I am excited that you are seeking a potential career in the field of counseling. Our School has four separate areas of counseling specialties depending on the setting and populations you want to serve in your career, including an online program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (with a concentration in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling). For information on our programs, reach out to our Graduate Admissions Team at

All of our master’s-level counseling programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation for Counseling Related Educational Programs (CACREP) until April 30, 2034. 

  • M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 credits) at the Ballston Campus in Arlington, Virginia
  • M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 credits)* at the Ballston Campus in Arlington, Virginia
  • ONLINE M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 credits)
  • ONLINE M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a concentration in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling (60 credits)*

*The School of Counseling offers a master’s degree in the CACREP-accredited specialty area in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. As part of that program students may complete an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Content in the emphasis area (pastoral) does not fall under the scope of CACREP-accreditation and is not reviewed by CACREP.  

  • M.A./M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling/Forensic and Legal Psychology (75 credits) at the Ballston Campus in Arlington, Virginia: Students are admitted to each program separately per the processes outlined for each of the separate programs and are awarded two separate master’s degrees. Students must take all of the required CMHC classes as outlined in the CMHC program of study. Only the CMHC program is accredited by CACREP. M.A./M.A. students may not be admitted to the online program for CMHC
  • Online Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision: (108 credits, 48 credits may be transferred in from a CACREP or counseling program). The program follows a CACREP curriculum and will submit the program for accreditation in spring 2026 in compliance with CACREP Policy A.2.k: Adding a Degree Program during an Accreditation Cycle.

The American Counseling Association has defined counseling as “a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals”. Counselors work with clients and students across the lifespan who may be experiencing developmental, situational, and/or existential issues with mental health symptoms requiring best practice treatment options.  All programs provide the academic requirements and clinical preparation required at the M.A. level for the Licensed Professional Counselor credential.

Students have been drawn to Marymount University’s programs for strong connections with faculty (during and after graduation); current faculty clinical experiences integrated into the classroom; strong service and scholarship opportunities; diverse elective courses; strong multicultural awareness and ethical practices across the curriculum; and optional short-term (9-day) study abroad classes (Italy, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Poland) to learn about comparative mental health systems and diversity across cultures.

We are excited to share the School of Counseling,  Community Mental Health Counseling Training-Clinic will begin taking clients in January 2023. This FREE clinic will provide training options for MA students under faculty supervision while serving the medically underserved populations and rural areas of the Commonwealth of Virginia. You can access the tabs on the landing page for more information.

We are excited you are interested in the counseling programs at Marymount University. Let us help you towards your career goals where you can make a difference in the lives of so many individuals and families.

Lisa R. Jackson-Cherry, Ph.D., LCPC, NCC, ACS, PCE

News and Announcements

Marymount Launches Free Mental Health Counseling Clinic Open to the public. Read more

Marymount graduate and doctoral students Provide Free Counseling to the Community and Gain Work Experience. Read more 

$1.2 million grant prepares MU Counseling students to serve vulnerable populations. Read more

CE599C Internship in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Students advocate for the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (H.R.945). Read more

School of Counseling

School of Counseling

Click the Link for the 2025 School of Counseling Student Handbook

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