Aquinas College

What you'll study

The curriculum combines foundational counseling theory and skills, diagnostic and assessment training, specialized topics, and applied clinical experience. Core courses and sequence in the three-year plan include:

• COU500 Orientation to Grad Studies (1 day seminar, 0 hours)
• COU502 Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling (16 weeks, 3 credits)
• COU504 Counseling Techniques and Practices (16 weeks, 3)
• COU505 Theories of Counseling and Helping (16 weeks, 3)
• COU506 Psychopathology & Diagnosis (16 weeks, 3)
• COU507 Assessment in Counseling (16 weeks, 3)
• COU604 Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling (8 weeks, 3)
• COU503 Lifespan Development (10 weeks, 3)
• COU602 Career Development and Counseling (8 weeks, 3)
• COU603 Social Justice & Diversity (16 weeks, 3)
• COU606 Theory and Practice of Group Counseling (16 weeks, 3)
• COU706 Crisis & Trauma Counseling (8 weeks, 3)
• COU701 Advanced Techniques & Practicum (min. 120 hours) (10 weeks, 3)
• COU704 Psychopharmacology & Substance Abuse (10 weeks, 3)
• COU702 Internship 1 in Clinical Counseling (min. 300 hours) (16 weeks, 3)
• COU705 Evaluation of Mental & Emotional Status (16 weeks, 3)
• COU601 Research Methods and Program Evaluation (16 weeks, 3)
• COU703 Internship 2 in Clinical Counseling (min. 300 hours) (16 weeks, 3)
• COU750 Comprehensive Exam (0 credits)

Elective options that may be taken in place of some term slots include COU516 Marriage, Family & Couples; COU518 Spirituality & Religion in Counseling; COU519 Counseling the Terminally Ill and Bereaved; COU521 Pastoral Counseling; COU605 Counseling Children and Adolescents; and COU707 Clinical Supervision.

Pastoral Counseling pathway: candidates with prior religious/theological training or ministry experience follow the same core schedule but substitute electives with COU518 Spirituality & Religion in Counseling; COU521 Pastoral Counseling; and COU519 Counseling the Terminally Ill and Bereaved to prepare for faith-based counseling settings.

Entry requirements

The program page does not list specific admissions prerequisites within the provided text. Prospective applicants should contact the program for official entry criteria and application guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates complete the coursework required to be eligible to practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor and gain supervised clinical experience through a practicum and two internships (each with minimum hours specified). The pastoral track prepares clinicians to work in faith-based settings such as churches, hospitals, hospices, or scripture-based counseling centers.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The source text does not specify scholarships or funding. Applicants should explore institutional graduate funding, external counseling-specific scholarships, employer support for ministry professionals, and financial-aid options through the college.