Barry University Online MS & PhD in Counseling
Barry University is a private Catholic university offering CACREP-accredited counseling programs that blend theory, research, and hands-on clinical training. Available options include the MS in counseling with specializations in clinical mental health counseling, marital, couple, and family counseling, and school counseling, plus the PhD in counseling.
All programs emphasize multicultural competence, social justice, ethical practice, and experiential learning through flexible delivery with small classes and faculty mentorship. MS students complete 45 core credits covering counseling theories, crisis intervention, human growth, group counseling, as well as 700 clinical hours through practicum at the CARE Center and internships. Full-time MS takes 2.5 years, while the part-time program takes four years to complete, ending with the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination. PhD students engage in advanced research, teaching, supervision, and marital, couple, and family counseling with practicum and internships.
The MS in counseling with a clinical mental health counseling specialization prepares students to prevent, assess, and treat mental health concerns in individual, group, and family settings. Students complete the counseling core plus 15 credits in courses such as psychopathology: diagnosis and treatment in counseling; foundations of clinical mental health counseling; human sexuality; and a six-credit clinical mental health counseling internship, which together meet the academic requirements for Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) eligibility.
The MS in counseling with a marital, couple, and family counseling specialization trains graduates to work systemically with couples and families around relationship issues, life-cycle transitions, and developmental crises. Along with the core, students take 18 specialization credits, including psychopathology: diagnosis and treatment in counseling; human sexuality; marriage and family systems; couples counseling in the context of the family life cycle; and a six-credit marital, couple, and family counseling internship, aligning with Florida marriage and family counseling licensure requirements.
The MS in counseling with a school counseling specialization focuses on designing and delivering PK-12 comprehensive developmental guidance programs. Building on the core courses, students complete 15 specialization credits such as organization and administration of school counseling programs; counseling children and adolescents; family, school collaboration and consultation; and a six-credit school counseling internship.
The PhD in counseling develops advanced skills in counseling practice, teaching, supervision, leadership, and research with a strong emphasis on marital, couple, and family counseling. The curriculum includes core courses like teaching in counselor education; advanced counseling procedures; counseling supervision; and advanced multicultural issues in counseling. It also includes a nine-credit marital, couple, and family counseling cognate featuring courses such as counseling for change; advanced counseling techniques with families; and advanced family systems theory. A 15-credit research sequence in qualitative and quantitative methods, four clinical internships, and a dissertation are also included.
Admission to MS programs requires a completed application with a statement of purpose, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, a current resume, and two recent professional recommendations. PhD admission requires a master’s or higher degree in counseling or a related field from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.25 graduate GPA, three professional recommendations, a writing sample, a resume, and a faculty interview. GRE scores are not required for admission.
Barry University is located in Miami Shores, Florida, and is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The MS counseling programs and PhD in counseling hold national CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) accreditation.
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MS in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
MS in Counseling – School Counseling
Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
11300 NE 2nd AveMiami Shores, Florida
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
60
January, May, August
Complete in as little as 2.5 years full-time or 4 years part-time
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0 or higher
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$850.00
$51,000.00
$850.00
$51,000.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
60
January, May, August
Complete in as little as 2.5 years full-time or 4 years part-time
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0 or higher
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$850.00
$51,000.00
$850.00
$51,000.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Education & Supervision
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
60
Fall, Spring
Complete in as little as 2 years full-time or 3-4 years part-time
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.25
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$1,195.00
$71,700.00
$1,195.00
$71,700.00
Tuition is calculated based on credits, at the published tuition rate. Rates may change, so please check here for the latest tuition information. For programs with variable tuition rates, we use the rates for part-time students. “Resident” and “non-resident” refer to the student’s school-recognized state residency status. Tuition number represents the cost of tuition for the entire program, not per semester or year. Estimated total tuition does not include additional fees.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.