The online Master of Science in Counseling program at Albizu University specializes in developing culturally and clinically competent mental health professionals who will provide effective services to help clients improve their quality of life and serve diverse communities.
The M.S. in Counseling is an online, graduate-level degree program at Albizu University-Miami, requiring 60 credit hours. The program offers a Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization. All program coursework is online and asynchronous, except for pre-practice, practicum, and internship, which meet online and synchronously. The degree typically takes full-time students two to three years to complete.
The M.S. in Counseling program aligns with CACREP counselor preparation standards and will submit its first self-study for accreditation in 2026.
Mission
Our mission is to prepare professional counselors and behavioral health specialists to effectively facilitate wellness and improved quality of life in partnership with diverse individuals, families, and communities.
Program Objectives
Program objectives are designed to train individuals to be competent clinicians as follows:
- Articulate relevant counseling theories and application of research to professional practice.
- Demonstrate clinical skills and techniques, including assessment, consultation, cultural competence, and advocacy.
- Apply therapeutic interventions to diverse individuals, couples, and families in public and private service settings.
Available in the following locations:
OnlineProgram Details & Credits:
Master of Science in Counseling - Online
Specializations
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 60 credits
Academic Level
Master's Degree
Duration
2.5 - 3 years
Request Information
Program Director:
Ariel K. Hernandez, PhD., QS, LMHC, NCC
[email protected]
Albizu University
(305) 593-1223 Ext. 3250
Online
Katrina R. Miller, Ed.D., NCC, CRC, BC-TMH, LPC
Professor & Accreditation Program Manager
[email protected]
Albizu University
Online
Ashley Cooper-Leonhart, PhD., QS, LMHC, NCC
Associate Professor & Field Experience Coordinator
[email protected]
Albizu University
Online
DEI Statement
The Master of Science in Counseling program promotes a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe this culture should extend to the faculty employed, the students we support, and the future clients they will serve. We are committed to lead with informed, respectful, and empathetic practices to provide a safe, accessible, and inclusive environment for our students and faculty.
Program Highlights
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- Meeting the needs of adult learners with flexible and convenient course schedules.
- Save time and money while receiving high quality reputable education.
- Receive specialized training to promote career advancement and career change opportunities.
- Smaller virtual class sizes and student-faculty ratio to enhance learning by creating learning environments where students will be encouraged to engage in critical thinking and hone their skills to meet the needs of a diverse clientele upon graduation.
- Upon completion of the program, students are eligible for different licenses and certifications in the state of Florida.
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In Focus
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- Courses for the Master of Science in Counseling are conveniently available online with synchronous and asynchronous components.
- The faculty members are active clinical professionals in their respective specialties who bring experiential learning into the classroom with practical application in theories, skills, techniques, research, and practice in their fields.
- The MS program's extensive practicum placement network offers an ample choice of sites within the country to meet the needs of our national student population, including community mental health agencies, hospitals, treatment facilities, and schools.
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Master of Science in Counseling Program Disclosure
Albizu University is excited to introduce our upcoming Master of Science in Counseling Program, focusing on the Mental Health Counseling specialty area. As we gear up for the Spring 2024 session, set to begin in January, we encourage all interested candidates to familiarize themselves with our application procedures, disclosures, and requisite criteria.
Licensure and certification requirements vary across states. Students are required to contact their state licensing board or the licensing board in the state where they wish to practice with questions or concerns about licensure eligibility. The American Counseling Association provides information on requirements for each state and territory to its members at https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements. In the State of Florida, the Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling requires that “Beginning July 1, 2025, an applicant must have a master’s degree from a program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), or an equivalent accrediting body which consists of at least 60 semester hours or 80 quarter hours to apply for licensure.”
Our institution takes pride in its regional recognition by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). However, while Albizu University’s Master of Science in Counseling program is CACREP-aligned, it is not yet accredited by CACREP. We are diligently working towards initiating the CACREP accreditation process. The first step to apply for accreditation is the submission of the self-study by Albizu University to CACREP when the first cohort of students is in the final term of their program of study. The University anticipates submitting the self-study to CACREP in the Spring of 2026.
Our goal is to strive and achieve this accreditation in 2026, yet we emphasize that all outcomes are subject to the rigorous evaluation process that involves many variables and external factors. As such, while we are committed to this pursuit, we cannot guarantee exact timelines. CACREP Polices Governing Recognition of Graduates related to initial accreditation (5.a) state that the “Students in a program seeking accreditation shall be considered graduates of a CACREP program if they receive their degree within eighteen (18) months prior to when accreditation is conferred, and if the program can verify that the student completed the CACREP program requirements.”
We thank you for considering Albizu University for your academic pursuits and assure you of our commitment to excellence in education.
Choosing the right university matters.
The Counseling program is committed to the recruitment of diverse individuals to support cultural competence and representation of diverse practitioners in the profession of counseling. All qualified applicants receive equal consideration for admission, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex or sex assigned at birth, gender or gender identity, familial or parental status, marital status, sexual orientation, religious or non-religious beliefs, age, military or veteran status, and/or socioeconomic status. We enthusiastically invite individuals who are BIPOC, LGBTQA+, and individuals with disabilities to apply.
Admission Requirements:
The minimum requirements for admission to the Online Master of Science in Counseling with specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Albizu University are:
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or an institution of higher education outside the United States whose standards of training are substantially equivalent to the standards of training in the United States.
2. A minimum cumulative bachelor’s degree grade point average of (GPA) of 3.0.
3. Official transcripts from all colleges, universities, or post-secondary educational institutions.
4. Three letters of recommendation from professors.
5. A current resume or curriculum vitae.
6. A Statement of Purpose which provides a clear indication of the applicant’s interest in the field, short and long term career goals, and how the applicant expects Albizu University to contribute to such goals. The statement should be double-spaced, typed, in Times New Roman or Arial 12-point font, and be one page in length.
7. A completed and signed application form and the admission fee submitted by the established deadline.
8. International students applying for admission must submit their academic records to the appropriate agencies for verification of their equivalency to coursework offered in the United States. International students must comply with INS regulations and the procedures established under the International Students section of the Albizu University Academic Catalog.
Albizu University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and licensed by the Commission for Independent Education of the Florida Department of Education.
Minimum Degree Requirements:
The University has established the following requisites, which must be completed before the Master’s Degree is awarded:
1. A GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
2. No more than 2 (two) standing grades of “C” in the major concentration area.
3. Satisfactory completion of all required academic courses.
4. Satisfactory completion of the required hours of practicum, if applicable.
5. Good standing in the Program, i.e., no disciplinary action pending or academic or practicum probation.
Tuition and fees for the Online M.S. in Counseling program are adjusted periodically, and can be found on page 269 of the current university catalog at this link: https://www.albizu.edu/wpcontent/uploads/dlm_uploads/2024/05/Albizu-University-Miami-Campus-2024-lite.pdf
For information about financial aid, grants, and scholarships, please click this link:
https://www.albizu.edu/admissions/financial-aid/
Qualifying students with disabilities are eligible for accommodations. For information about services and accommodations, please click this link: https://www.albizu.edu/miami/student-services/#disabilities
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