Messiah University Online Counseling & MFT Programs
Messiah University offers four online counseling options: the certificate of advanced graduate studies (CAGS) in counseling, and the master of arts (MA) in counseling with tracks in clinical mental health counseling, marriage, couples and family counseling, and school counseling. These programs are designed for students who want flexible online study with strong professional and faith-based preparation.
All counseling programs include online coursework, optional in-person intensives, regular synchronous sessions, and strong faculty support. Students benefit from small classes, personalized advising, field placement support, and tele-mental health training. The master’s programs are 60 credits, while the certificate requires at least 12 credits and can be tailored to each student’s goals.
The CAGS in counseling is a post-master’s program for students who already hold a counseling-related master’s degree. It is designed to help students meet state licensure or certification requirements and may include fieldwork or be completed fully online. Important courses and requirements include professional issues and ethics for counselors; counseling theories; counseling techniques; and a skills evaluation course for students choosing field experience.
The MA in counseling with clinical mental health counseling prepares students for work in clinical settings and for licensure as a professional counselor. Important courses include foundations of clinical mental health counseling; psychopathology and diagnosis across the lifespan; crisis, trauma, and grief counseling; anger, ostracism, forgiveness, and reconciliation; counseling practicum, and two counseling internships. The program is designed to build clinical skill, faith integration, and professional excellence.
The MA in counseling with a concentration in marriage, couples, and family counseling prepares students to work with individuals, couples, and families. Important courses include foundations of marriage, couple, and family counseling; contemporary and integrative theories of family counseling; premarital and marital counseling; human sexuality; a marriage, couple, and family counseling practicum; and two marriage, couple, and family counseling internships. The program supports students who want to pursue licensure as a licensed professional counselor or licensed marriage and family therapist.
The MA in counseling with school counseling prepares students to serve K-12 students in academic, social, and emotional development. Important courses include foundations of school counseling; effective practices of school counselors; organization and administration of school counseling programs; school counseling practicum; autism spectrum disorders; an elementary school counseling internship; and a secondary school counseling internship. The track is designed to prepare students for school counselor certification and also includes coursework that can support other counseling goals.
Admission to the MA in counseling requires at least six credits in social, behavioral, applied, or life sciences courses with a grade of C or higher, along with the Messiah application, official transcript indicating completion of a bachelor’s or master’s degree, a statement of purpose, one reference, a resume or CV, and an interview. Admission to the CAGS requires a counseling-related master’s degree, the Messiah application, transcripts, and a statement of purpose, with fieldwork students also completing a skills evaluation and any needed additional courses. International students cannot use this primarily online program to obtain an F-1 visa, and students outside the United States cannot participate remotely.
Messiah University is located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and was founded in 1909. It is a private interdenominational evangelical Christian university accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and its counseling tracks are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
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CAGS – Counseling
MA in Counseling – Clinical Mental Health Counseling
MA in Counseling – Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling
MA in Counseling – School Counseling
One University Ave.Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Program Essentials
Post-Master's Certificate
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yes
0 – No required campus visits
12
Spring, Summer, Fall
Complete in as few as 1-2 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
12
$800.00
$9,600.00
$800.00
$9,600.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No
4-8 – two visits per year – predominantly online coursework, with one-week intensive courses in January and July
60
Spring, Summer, Fall
Complete in as few as 2 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$800.00
$48,000.00
$800.00
$48,000.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy
No
4-8 – two visits per year – predominantly online coursework, with one-week intensive courses in January and July
60
Spring, Summer, Fall
Complete in as few as 2 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$800.00
$48,000.00
$800.00
$48,000.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: School Counseling
No
4-8 – two visits per year – predominantly online coursework, with one-week intensive courses in January and July
60
Spring, Summer, Fall
Complete in as few as 2 years
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$800.00
$48,000.00
$800.00
$48,000.00
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.