Program FAQs

Most students complete the 60-credit program in 2.5 -3 years if students are enrolled full-time. The program has to be completed within a period of 5 years.

Most courses are offered Monday through Thursday and at 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm. Advanced clinical courses are rotated in morning/afternoon/evening to accommodate practicum and internships. If there are multiple sections in a semester, the department attempts to schedule them on alternate times.

The program and classes are located at the Ballston Academic Center (BAC), approximately 1.5 miles from Marymount University’s Main Campus.

According to Marymount University’s policy, students can only transfer 12 credits to a master’s program, and only classes that were completed within the past 5 years. Marymount University’s Course Review Committee has to review these credits and decide whether they are acceptable and equivalent to Marymount University’s accreditation classes. Students may not transfer any clinical classes (CE522, 523, 597, 599) or any online classes. In addition, for students who are interested in pursuing licensure, Marymount University cannot guarantee that a counseling licensure board will accept the courses transferred from another educational institution. Students should take the core classes at Marymount University to ensure that they will meet the requirements for licensure.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is currently accredited by the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) until 2026. The 60-credit Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is also accredited by CACREP until 2026.

Students in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling program are admitted in the Fall semester. With permission, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling students may take classes during the summer prior to their official admission date.

Applications are reviewed in a holistic manner. There is no standard minimum for GRE scores as long as the rest of the items in the application meet the requirements.

No.

In 2024, 40 students graduated from Marymount University’s Counseling programs: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (37), School Counseling (1), and Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2). Marymount University’s graduates consistently achieve high pass rates on licensing examinations. The pass rate for all of our graduates taking the NCE examination in 2024 was 100% (100% CMHC; N/A SC; 100% P-CMHC). 88.9% of respondents to the 2024 Alumni Survey reported job placement in the counseling field, 44.4% continued their position from when they were at Marymount, 33.3% found a new job before graduating, 11.1% found a job within 3 months, and 11.1% are not yet working in the field

Yes. From the admissions interview to the graduation ceremony, students have many opportunities for personal growth and greater self-awareness. Some of the courses include experiential activities and role-plays. In addition, students meet with a doctoral counselor for a limited number of sessions as a part of a course requirement.  The purpose is for wellness preparation and understanding of the client in counseling. There is no charge for this wellness experience provided by the Department of Counseling.