Palm Beach Atlantic University Online MS in Counseling Programs
- MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Additional Training in Addictions
- MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Counseling in School Settings
- MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Crisis and Trauma Counseling
- MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Marriage and Family Studies
Palm Beach Atlantic University offers an online master of science in clinical mental health counseling with optional study paths in crisis and trauma counseling, marriage and family studies, counseling in school settings, and additional training in addictions.
The program is built around clinical licensure preparation, field-based learning, and close mentoring from faculty. Students can study online or in a traditional residential format, and they complete required practicum and internship experiences as part of the degree. The curriculum also includes a mandatory online orientation before the semester begins.
The main counseling track prepares students for professional counseling work through core courses such as human growth and development; assessment and testing; counseling theories and techniques; legal, ethical, and professional standards; and foundations of crisis, trauma, and disaster counseling. It also includes specialization courses in substance abuse; diagnosis and treatment in counseling; human sexuality theory and counseling techniques; counseling internship; and dynamics of marriage and family systems.
The counseling in school settings concentration is designed for students who want to work in school counseling. It includes courses such as school counseling internship; assessment and testing; career counseling and development; principles, program development, implementation, and evaluation of school counseling programs; and consulting with groups, agencies, teachers, and parents. The program is tied to Florida certification requirements after completion and passing the state exam.
The crisis and trauma counseling concentration focuses on trauma-informed care for crisis and trauma survivors. Its courses include foundations of crisis, trauma, and disaster counseling; trauma counseling: competencies and interventions; and the physiological and spiritual effects of trauma. This option is meant to strengthen skills in intervention, resilience, and wellness.
The marriage and family therapy studies concentration prepares students to work with marriages, couples, and families. It includes courses such as dynamics of marriage and family systems; family therapy theory and techniques; and marriage theory and counseling techniques.
The additional training in addictions option adds the substance abuse II: transdisciplinary and professional practice course for students seeking the certified addiction professional (CAP) educational requirement.
Admission requires a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, with exceptions considered on a case-by-case basis, an online application, official transcripts, two confidential recommendation forms, an essay, and a faculty interview. The selection committee also reviews career goals, academic record, relevant preparation and experience, potential for success, and openness to diverse cultures and people.
Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private nondenominational Christian university located in West Palm Beach, Florida. It is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), and the master of science in clinical mental health counseling is accredited by the Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
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MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Additional Training in Addictions
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Counseling in School Settings
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Crisis and Trauma Counseling
MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling – Marriage and Family Studies
901 S Flagler DrWest Palm Beach, Florida
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No
2 – Two hands-on face-to-face experientials required
60
Summer, Fall, Spring
Complete in as few as 2 years full-time or 4+ years part-time
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$695.00
$41,700.00
$695.00
$41,700.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Counseling: Substance Abuse & Addiction
No
2 – Two hands-on face-to-face experientials required
60
Summer, Fall, Spring
Complete in as few as 2 years full-time or 4+ years part-time
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$695.00
$41,700.00
$695.00
$41,700.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Counseling: School Counseling
No
2 – Two hands-on face-to-face experientials required
60-66
Summer, Fall, Spring
Complete in as few as 2 years full-time or 4+ years part-time
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60-66
$695.00
$41,700 – $45,870
$695.00
$41,700 – $45,870
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
No
2 – Two hands-on face-to-face experientials required
60
Summer, Fall, Spring
Complete in as few as 2 years full-time or 4+ years part-time
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$695.00
$41,700.00
$695.00
$41,700.00
Program Essentials
Master's Degree
Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Counseling: Marriage and Family Therapy
No
2 – Two hands-on face-to-face experientials required
60
Summer, Fall, Spring
Complete in as few as 2 years full-time or 4+ years part-time
Program Admissions
No GRE required
3.0
No state restrictions
Program Tuition
60
$695.00
$41,700.00
$695.00
$41,700.00
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.