Freed-Hardeman University Online Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Freed-Hardeman University offers graduate programs in counseling and related fields for students who want flexible study options and practical training. The programs covered here are the master of science in clinical mental health counseling, the graduate certificate in counseling for church leaders, the graduate certificate in advanced counseling, and the graduate certificate in professional counseling.
Across these programs, Freed-Hardeman focuses on helping students build useful skills for real-world counseling and ministry work. The university says its graduate counseling offerings are designed with flexibility, faculty mentorship, and professional growth in mind. Some programs are available in blended or web-conference formats, while the certificate programs are offered fully online.
The master of science in clinical mental health counseling is designed for students who want preparation for counseling practice in clinical settings. The program uses a blend of web-conference and in-person learning, with three to four weekend intensive classes on-campus and the rest of the coursework delivered through web-conferencing.
The MS program includes core courses such as theories of counseling and psychotherapy; assessment in counseling; ethical issues in counseling; research methods in counseling; and clinical intervention, along with practicum and internship experience. Concentration courses include clinical mental health counseling foundations; psychopathology; marriage and family counseling; and diagnosis and treatment planning. The program also offers elective options such as pastoral counseling; crisis counseling; agency counseling; and counseling children and adolescents.
There is also a behavioral sciences bridge program designed for undergraduate students who want to prepare for graduate study in behavioral sciences, especially those interested in clinical mental health counseling. Students complete 13 hours of graduate-level coursework during the bridge program instead of elective requirements in their undergraduate degree. If they are later admitted to the MS in clinical mental health counseling program, those same courses may count toward the graduate degree.
The graduate certificate in advanced counseling is for students who already have a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and want to strengthen their counseling skills. It is useful for those seeking continuing education, deeper training in specific areas, or help meeting professional credentialing requirements. The program includes courses such as marriage and family counseling; pastoral counseling; career counseling; and premarital counseling.
The graduate certificate in professional counseling is for students who already have a master’s degree in counseling or a related field but need additional coursework for licensure. It is designed to help students build stronger foundational knowledge in core counseling areas. Coursework may include life-cycle development; psychopathology; theories of counseling and psychotherapy; assessment in counseling; and group counseling.
The graduate certificate in counseling for church leaders is designed for associate ministers, ministers, family life ministers, youth ministers, and elders who have counseling responsibilities in ministry settings. This program combines Bible and counseling courses so students can learn basic counseling skills and how to use scripture in counseling. Courses include family ministry; pastoral counseling; spiritual leadership; and grief counseling.
Admission requirements vary by program, but all require an application, transcripts, and a personal essay. For the master’s program, applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, at least 12 semester hours in behavioral science, and an interview with the counseling admissions committee. The counseling certificate programs require a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and a GPA of 3.0 or higher, while the church leaders certificate requires a completed undergraduate or graduate degree and may allow conditional admission for a GPA between 2.50 and 2.99. Several programs also require a freedom from conviction of crimes form, and some require a scholarship application, if desired.
Freed-Hardeman University is a private university in Henderson, Tennessee, affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Its counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
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Graduate Certificate in Advanced Counseling
Graduate Certificate in Counseling for Church Leaders
Graduate Certificate in Professional Counseling
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
158 E Main StHenderson, Tennessee
Program Essentials
Post-Master's Certificate
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
13
Spring, Spring II, Summer, Fall, Fall II
Can be completed in 1 to 2 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
13
$700.00
$9,100.00
$700.00
$9,100.00
Program Essentials
Post-Bachelor's Certificate
Counseling: Spiritual Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
18
Spring, Summer, Fall
Can be completed in 1 to 2 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
18
$700.00
$12,600.00
$700.00
$12,600.00
Program Essentials
Post-Master's Certificate
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
13
Spring, Spring II, Summer, Fall, Fall II
Can be completed in 1 to 2 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
13
$700.00
$9,100.00
$700.00
$9,100.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No
3-4 – Three to four in-person weekend intensive classes required. The remainder of the coursework is delivered through web-conferencing components
61
Fall, Spring
Can be completed in 2 to 3 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
61
$700.00
$42,700.00
$700.00
$42,700.00
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.